Many attempts have been made by various IDs over the years with little result. We believe working as a group will have more success.
We have met with our MLA Nicholas Simons who has promised to help. Nicolas is planning on meeting with rural MLAs to discuss this issue and will also present the info collected to the appropriate Ministers and suggest that the Government’s policy analysts review the issue.
Contact your MLA
To create a sense of importance for the Government to consider changing its decades old policy of not allowing IDs to receive provincial funding, we are asking you to contact your MLA with highlights of your capital infrastructure needs. Information you may want to include:
- age and condition of waterworks
- provincial health warnings
- attempts in securing funding
- your reasons for remaining an improvement district
Let us know
Our concerns will be more likely to be heard if we can present as a group. Please let us know of action taken by:
- Email: if contacting your MLA by email, please cc our MLA Randene.Neill.MLA (at) leg.bc.ca and us action (at) improvementdistrictfunding.ca or
- Mail: please send a copy of your letter to VAID, Box 115, Van Anda BC V0N 3K0
Actions Taken
| Date | Action | Result |
| Aug 2023 | Open Letter created | Plan to connect with other IDs |
| Sep-Oct 2023 | VAID & GBID Motions passed to work together | Plan to meet with MLA |
| Dec 2023 | Meet with MLA Nicholas Simons | Achieved MLA support |
| Jan 2024 | Invite all IDs with Waterworks to participate | 15 ID’s responded with most subsequently providing copies of letters they sent out |
| Feb 2024 | Invitation to VAID be part of Panel at CWSA Conference April | Postponed till September meeting – September meeting. They hope to include representatives from Health, Local Government Department of the Provincial Government, Improvement Districts and Regional Districts |
| June 2024 | VAID representation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services | Unfortunately this being an election year the Committee will not be operating. |
| Aug 2024 | CWSA Panel canceled | No government representatives would participate |
| Oct 2024 | Provincial Election | New MLA for Powell River – Sunshine Coast – Randene Neill |
| Mar 2025 | MLA office contacted for meeting arrangements | Plan for MLA office to host Zoom meeting with all water IDs in electoral area |
| May 2025 | Meeting: MLA and 8 IDs | Conclusion: There is broad consensus that current policies create significant barriers for improvement districts, making it difficult for rural communities to maintain access to safe, clean drinking water. Continued advocacy and a coordinated approach to grant reform, capacity-building, and infrastructure investment are critical. Meeting brief link is below. |
May 2025 meeting notes – Brief-Water-Improvement-Districts-Meeting-May-16-2025.pdf