Community Charter
Community Charter | Foundational Principles
Date: March 9, 2026 Status: Official Record
Community Charter | Municipal Accountability | Purpose Statement: “This Community Charter is established to ensure and define the standards of accountability, integrity, and collaboration required to serve the best interests of our residents. It serves as a guiding framework for transparent decision-making and ensures that the core values of our community remain at the forefront of every initiative.”
Community Charter | This Charter applies to all participants of our community processes, including residents, staff, and elected officials, to ensure a unified standard of excellence.
Community Charter | Member Responsibilities
- Active Participation: Engaging in community deliberations, including the Alternate Approval Process (AAP) and public budget reviews.
- Staying Informed: Reviewing provided documentation, meeting minutes, and financial reports to make evidence-based decisions.
- Community Advocacy: Representing the best interests of the residents and ensuring municipal accountability.
- Constructive Feedback: Providing clear, actionable input during consultation periods to improve local governance.
Code of Conduct
- Mutual Respect: Maintaining a professional and courteous tone in all communications, even during disagreements.
- Integrity and Transparency: Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest and acting with honesty in all official capacities.
- Productive Dialogue: Focusing on solutions and issues rather than personal attacks or grievances.
- Confidentiality: Respecting the privacy of sensitive information shared during closed sessions or internal planning.
Community Charter | Review and Accountability
- Annual Review: This Charter is a living document. It shall be reviewed annually by the community and elected officials to ensure it remains relevant to our evolving goals.
- Conflict Resolution: In the event of a breach of the Code of Conduct, participants agree to a restorative approach, focusing on open dialogue and mediation to resolve disputes.
- Transparency of Process: All deliberations regarding the application of this Charter will be conducted in a clear, accessible, and public manner, adhering to the principles of the BC Community Charter.
- Continuous Improvement: Feedback from residents regarding the effectiveness of these principles is encouraged and will be integrated into future revisions.
The Community Charter
Section 1: Foundational Principles This Charter is established to ensure that local governance is conducted with the highest standards of transparency. All participants—including elected officials, municipal staff, and residents—commit to a partnership based on mutual accountability and the shared goal of community well-being.
Section 2: Community Charter | Statutory Compliance In accordance with the BC Community Charter, this document reinforces the legal obligations of the Mayor and Council (Sections 114–116) to provide leadership, maintain confidentiality where required by law, and act in the best interest of the municipality at all times.
Section 3: Financial Stewardship All municipal initiatives and borrowing plans, including those subject to the Alternate Approval Process (AAP), shall be presented with clear, accessible financial data. Participants have a responsibility to engage with this data to ensure the long-term fiscal health of the community.
Section 4: Ethical Engagement
- Transparency: Decisions shall be made in open sessions whenever possible, ensuring the public remains informed.
- Objectivity: Policies and projects shall be evaluated based on merit, evidence, and community impact.
- Inclusivity: Every resident of Prince George shall have a fair opportunity to provide input on matters that affect their neighborhood and livelihood.
Section 5: Commitment to Excellence By adhering to this Charter, we commit to a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback is valued and the “Foundational Principles” are treated as a living standard for all future civic engagement.
Conclusion and Next Steps
“The adoption of these Foundational Principles is the first step toward a more transparent and collaborative future. We invite all members of the community to join us in upholding these standards as we work together to strengthen our local governance.”
Note: For those who wish to review the legislation in its entirety, you can access the complete British Columbia Community Charter here.
The Community Charter serves as the primary legislative authority for municipal governance, operating in conjunction with the broader framework of the Local Government Act. While the Charter outlines the core powers and responsibilities of municipalities, the Act provides the foundational legal requirements for regional districts, local elections, and land-use planning.
For further technical details regarding regional jurisdiction and statutory requirements, you may access the full legislation below:
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