Comments made in Response to ALC Communications

Question 5: In what ways could the ALC improve its communications with your local government?

On the provision of documents, decision letters and reference materials:

• provide hard copies of reference materials for new Act (Regional District of East Kootenay)
• make more info available on the challenges of larger communities (Kamloops)
• continue providing explanatory material; create new user guide (Keremeos)
• provide a simplified document outlining the types of lands that will and will not be excluded from the ALR and the reasons (Vernon)
• provide an updated ALC manual either hardcopy or electronically and provide information on decisions taken by LRC (Delta)
• provide current soil classification rating maps, summary of all ‘year to date’ ALC decisions (Mission)
• provide verbal briefings on ALC decisions prior to receipt of written decision (Thompson-Nicola Regional District)
• forward a copy of the monthly panel agenda (Regional District of Central Okanagan)
• provide clear examples/scenarios to reduce confusion and explain new/revised initiatives rather than simply the legislation (North Cowichan)
• improve response time for decisions and correspondence (Regional District of Nanaimo)

On meetings and workshops:

• hold annual ‘summits’ with local governments with significant ALR (Chilliwack)
• have direct meetings with staff and Council (Langley City)
• hold periodic meetings with ALC staff/Commissioners and city staff (Richmond)
• hold workshops more frequently (Prince George & Chetwynd)
• continue face-to-face communications with Commissioners and Council (Invermere)
• hold annual meetings with staff and Commission members and refresher workshops within the region (Taylor)
• make presentations to the GVRD Planning and Environment Committee on major initiatives; meet with the GVRD Agricultural Advisory Committee, P&E Committee and staff as appropriate to discuss the ALR; and keep regional and local government staff up to date on ALR policies and procedures through seminars (Greater Vancouver Regional District)
• meet with Council once a year or when major changes are proposed (Gibsons)
• have regular road shows (Keremeos)

On the use of e-mail:

• use e-mail to advise of current issues (Quesnel)
• provide monthly updates of changes through e-mail (Campbell River)
• keep regional and local government staff up to date on ALR policies and procedures through e-mail (Greater Vancouver Regional District)
• notify of ALC decision immediately (via e-mail perhaps) (Regional District of Nanaimo)

On ALC staff:

• have ALC staff assigned consistently to our area; the large turnover in ALC staff in our region has led to confusion and delay (Peace River Regional District)
• allow ALC staff more time to meet with municipal staff when on site inspections (Saanich & Central Saanich)

On consultation:

• ensure RD staff are consulted when lands in the RD are affected by ALC applications — no repeats of the ‘Ducks Unlimited’ boundary extension application from a communication and consultation perspective (Regional District of Comox-Strathcona)
• have greater public consultation (Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District)

Most respondents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the ALC’s communications and offered a number of positive comments, such as

• "to date good communication, ALC staff respond within a reasonable time to inquiries/questions" (Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine)
• "communication to date has been satisfactory" (Central Coast Regional District)
• "we need to know of ALC changes, but don’t require enhanced communications" (Golden)
• "I believe ALC does a good job now!" (Kelowna)
• "we think you are doing a very good job right now" (Logan Lake)
• "we are satisfied with existing levels of communication" (Regional District of Mount Waddington)
• "satisfied with personal approach provided by area representative to Revelstoke" (Revelstoke)
• "we have no problem with communications" (Merritt)
• "am satisfied with current approach" (Penticton)