Capital Regional District

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is a local government administrative district encompassing the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Canada and the southern Gulf Islands: (Saltspring, Galiano, Pender, Saturna, Mayne), and many smaller islands.

On Vancouver Island, the CRD encompasses the thirteen municipalities of Greater Victoria and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (including the unorganized districts of East Sooke, Port Renfrew, Jordan River, and the southern Malahat). Its headquarters is in the City of Victoria, although there are many office and operational facilities throughout the region. The total land area is 2,341.11 km² (903.9 sq mi).

The CRD is one of several regional districts in British Columbia and had an official population of 345,164 as of the Canada 2006 Census. Its responsibilities include recycling, operating the regional landfill, building and operating sewage treatment plants, a sewer source control program, regional water supply, funding for non-profit arts groups, regional planning, funding health facilities, and overseeing thirty regional parks, trails, and regional park reserves encompassing over 100 km². The CRD is the sole shareholder of the Capital Region Housing Corporation, which owns and operates over 1200 rental housing units. In certain areas, the CRD can pass bylaws that are binding in its member municipalities. These include a "clean air bylaw" smoking ban in all public places and private property with the exception of residences, slowly introduced in 1996 with the aim of only restaurants. Over the years it was increased, now even on private property outdoors.

The CRD assumes responsibilities ordinarily undertaken by municipalities in unorganized areas of the CRD. These responsibilities include animal control, building inspection, fire protection, and bylaw enforcement. Some of the region's municipalities avail themselves of some of these services in a contractual arrangement with the CRD.

References

* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=5917&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Capital%20Regional%20District&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Capital Regional District, British Columbia; Statistics Canada]

External links

* [http://www.crd.bc.ca/ Capital Regional District Website]