Metro to poll university residents on governance
Metro Vancouver plans to canvass University of B. C. residents about the need for local governance, after the B. C. government said there was “no consensus” to change the status quo.
Members of Metro’s intergovernmental committee directed staff Wednesday to research and prepare a questionnaire for the more than 40,000 residents living in the area.
They argued many residents may not realize the huge regional implications that will come from the university’s highgrowth plans or the need for a system of local government.
Metro had been responsible for land- use decisions at UBC until June 2010, when the province introduced legislation for an “amicable divorce” between the two parties.
That legislation transferred responsibility for the university’s local land use planning from Metro Vancouver to what is now the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Metro is still responsible for regional growth issues at UBC, which is part of Electoral Area A, under the B. C. Local Government Act.
“We do still have concerns especially on the regional impact of what UBC is planning to do. It’s a very high- growth area,” said Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, who sits on the committee.
Jackson argued Metro should also send a letter to Ida Chong, minister of community, sport and cultural development, to reiterate the regional district’s concerns, especially around land- use planning. She noted Chong may only be hearing from the heads of UBC rather than the residents.
“Maybe Minister Chong doesn’t understand what these 40,000 people really want,” she said.
Jackson was referring to a letter from Chong that suggested “exploratory discussions with affected organizations at UBC” determined there was no consensus to impose a governance structure.
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan noted Metro has long complained about the issue and called for change. He said the questionnaire is perhaps a better approach.
“It’s an interesting idea. I always think it’s fascinating to go over the heads of government to the people,” he said. “Maybe we’ll stimulate debate about this issue. Many of [ the residents] either teach university or go to university, so I hope there’s still some sense of democracy we can kindle.”
As UBC and the UBC Endowment Lands are not part of the City of Vancouver, residents elect one representative — now Maria Harris — who sits on the board of Metro Vancouver.
Residents on long- term leases or private property pay property taxes to the province but sewage and water taxes to Metro.
Corrigan said he still feels guilty about leaving the residents in the lurch. “When we walked away, we left them with absolutely nothing,” he said.
UBC’S land use plan is aimed at turning the 405- hectare Vancouver campus from a commuter campus into a self- sufficient community with shops, services and transit. About 50 per cent of students and 25 per cent of faculty live on campus now.
Stephen Owen, UBC’S vicepresident, external, legal and community relations, welcomed Metro’s plans to poll residents. He noted the issue of governance lies with the province and UBC is ready to discuss it at any time. “It’s a very good thing for Metro to poll the residents but there seems to be a satisfied relationship between the residents’ association and the UEL,” he said.