Creating Livable Communities : A Submission to The Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Affairs on Phase I of The Draft Community Charter

The purpose of the Draft Community Charter is to provide more autonomy to, and require accountability from, municipalities. This allows municipalities to craft place-specific solutions that respond to local conditions. While the Draft Community Charter is a positive step in many directions, West Coast Environmental Law has a number of concerns regarding the revocation of municipal powers in the environmental sphere, and a lack of accountability in a number of areas. In summary, West Coast Environmental Law submits the following 19 recommendations to ensure that the Charter better meets the needs of municipalities and the citizens who live, work and play in their communities.