LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HISTORY
|
|
Biographies and Stories |
|
|
|
 |
|
Bill Ritchie (1983 - 1986)
 In
1983, William Ritchie became the
11th Minister of Municipal Affairs
(1983-1986). Soon after his
appointment, a controversial
decision was made to eliminate
regional planning. The government
argued that such a decision would
streamline development regulations,
reduce bureaucracy, and empower
municipalities. The Opposition and
the Union of British Columbia
Municipalities were concerned that the
result would be uncoordinated and
inefficient regional growth. Ritchie
also led the establishment of the
Provincial-Municipal Partnership
Program, which authorized
partnership agreements with
municipalities in order to provide
tax relief to local industries. He
also
introduced a variable-rate system of
property taxes.
Prior to entering politics, Ritchie
operated an agricultural business
and was a member of the land
commission. In 1979, he was elected
as the Social Credit MLA for Central
Fraser Valley. He was re-elected in
1983, and later sought the
leadership of the Social Credit
Party.
<< Jack Heinrich -
Jack Heinrich >>
Back to Minister Page
|
|
Sources |
| |
|
Bancroft, Wendy, et al. Union of
British Columbia Municipalities: The
First Century. Vancouver, B.C.:
Granville Island Publishing, 2006. |
| |
|
British Columbia, Ministry of
Municipal Affairs. Annual Report:
1983. Victoria: Province of
British Columbia, 1984. |
| |
|
British Columbia, Ministry of
Municipal Affairs. Annual Report:
1985-86. Victoria: Province of
British Columbia, 1987. |
| |
|
Persky, Stan. Bennett II: The
Decline and Stumbling of Social
Credit Government in British
Columbia, 1979-83. Vancouver :
New Star Books, 1983. |
| |
|
Richie, William. “Municipal
Amendment Act, 1983”. In BC
Legislative Assembly Legislative
Debates (Hansard). 33rd
Parliament. 1st Session. 25 July
1983 19 June 2008 <http://142.36.155.4/hansard/33rd1st/33p_01s_830725p.htm> |
|
|
|
