Map of Canada with British Columbia highlighted in red
Location of British Columbia in Canada
 Skyline of Vancouver
Skyline of Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city
 Skyline of Surrey
Skyline of Surrey, British Columbia's second largest city and suburb of Vancouver
 Skyline of Burnaby
Skyline of Burnaby, British Columbia's third largest city and suburb of Vancouver
 Skyline of Richmond
Skyline of Richmond, British Columbia's fourth largest city and suburb of Vancouver
 Skyline of Abbotsford
Skyline of Abbotsford, the largest city outside of Greater Vancouver
 Coquitlam's Town Centre
Skyline of Coquitlam, British Columbia's sixth largest city and suburb of Vancouver
 Kelowna Skyline
Skyline of Kelowna, the largest city in the interior of British Columbia
 Areal view of Saanich, British Columbia
Aerial view of Saanich, the largest municipality on Vancouver Island and suburb of the capital Victoria

British Columbia is the third-most populous province in Canada, with 5,000,879 residents as of 2021, and is the second-largest in land area,[lower-alpha 1] at 920,687 km2 (355,479 sq mi).[2] British Columbia's 161 municipalities cover only 11 percent of the province's land mass yet are home to 89 percent of its population. A municipality is a local government incorporated by the province allowing a community to govern itself and to provide and regulate local services. These services typically include, but are not limited to, the provision of drinking water, sewers, roads, fire protection, street lights, garbage/recycling collection, land use planning, building inspection, and parks.

Within their limited jurisdictions, municipalities are autonomous, responsible and accountable to their citizens and to the province. Their powers and responsibilities are regulated through the Local Government Act,[3] the Community Charter, and, in the case of Vancouver, the Vancouver Charter. They have the power of a natural person, the power to expropriate, and the power to establish and enforce bylaws. They are able to raise funds through property taxes and user fees, and borrow a limited amount through the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia to pay for capital costs.[4]

Municipalities are governed by a mayor and council who are democratically elected every 4 years on the third Saturday in October. The most recent election took place on October 15, 2022; the next election will take place on October 17, 2026.[5] Each municipality is a member of a regional district to which their councils elect representatives. The board of directors of the regional district is used as a forum to discuss regional issues.[4]

To become a municipality, a community, with the assistance of the provincial Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, defines its borders and holds a referendum on the issue. If successful the Cabinet of British Columbia issues a letters patent incorporating the community. Part 2 of the Local Government Act sets out a classification scheme that gives each new municipality a designation. If the population is fewer than 2,500 people the new municipality is designated a village, if between 2,500 and 5,000 a town, and if greater than 5,000 a city. If the new municipality has an area greater than 800 hectares (2,000 acres) and an average population density of fewer than 5 persons per hectare then is it designated a district municipality. The municipality must request change in designation but is not compelled to do so, despite population growth or loss – Greenwood has retained its city status, for example, rather than relinquishing it as other boomtowns of its era have done. There is no longer any legal difference between the designations.[4]

Cities

A city is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's lieutenant governor may incorporate a community as a city by letters patent, on the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is greater than 5,000 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50 percent voted in favour of the proposed incorporation.[6]

British Columbia has 52 cities,[7][8][9][10] had a cumulative population of 3,630,140 in the 2021 census. British Columbia's largest and smallest cities are Vancouver and Greenwood with populations of 662,248 and 702 respectively.[11] The fastest-growing city in British Columbia is Langford, which grew 31.8 percent between 2016 and 2021, while the fastest-shrinking is Merritt, which shrunk by 1.2 percent.[11] The largest city by land area is Abbotsford, which spans 375.33 km2 (144.92 sq mi), while the smallest is Duncan, at 2.06 km2 (0.80 sq mi).[11] The first community to incorporate as a city was New Westminster on July 16, 1860,[7] while the most recent community to incorporate as a city was Mission on March 29, 2021.[10]

District municipalities

A district municipality is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's lieutenant governor may incorporate a community as a district municipality by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if the area is greater than 800 ha (2,000 acres) and has a population density of fewer than 5 people per hectare, and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50 percent voted in favour of the proposed incorporation.[6]

British Columbia has 49 district municipalities[7][9][12] that had a cumulative population of 669,454 in the 2021 Census.[11] British Columbia's largest and smallest district municipalities are Langley and Wells with populations of 132,603 and 218 respectively.[11] The fastest-growing district municipality in British Columbia is Stewart, which grew 28.9 percent between 2016 and 2021, while the fastest-shrinking is the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, which declined by 18.8 percent.

Of British Columbia's current 49 district municipalities, the first to incorporate as a district municipality was North Cowichan on June 18, 1873, while the most recent community to incorporate as a district municipality was the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) on February 6, 2009.[7][12] Although portrayed as a regional municipality in its official name, the NRRM is actually classified as a district municipality.[12]

Indian government districts

The lone Indian government district designation was created by the federal shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act and provincial Sechelt Indian Government District Enabling Act and granted to the shíshálh Nation Government District (formerly known as the Sechelt Indian Government District), which governs the shíshálh Nation lands consisting of 33 former Indian reserves.[13][14][15]

Island municipalities

If the community wishing to incorporate is located within a trust area under the Island Trust Act, it must incorporate as an island municipality.[16] A single island municipality designation has been granted to Bowen Island.

Mountain resort municipalities

A mountain resort municipality designation is granted by the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development through the Local Government Act if there exists alpine ski lift operations, year-round recreational facilities, and commercial overnight accommodations. British Columbia's lone mountain resort municipality is Sun Peaks.

Resort municipalities

A single resort municipality designation has been granted to Whistler by the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act.[17]

Towns

A town is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's lieutenant governor may incorporate a community as a town by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is greater than 2,500 but not greater than 5,000 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50 percent voted in favour of the proposed incorporation.[6]

British Columbia has 14 towns[7] that had a cumulative population of 95,922 in the 2021 census.[11] British Columbia's largest and smallest towns are Comox and Port McNeill with populations of 14,806 and 2,356 respectively. View Royal and Smithers are the fastest-growing and fastest-shrinking towns in the province, growing by 11.2 percent and shrinking by 0.4 percent respectively between 2016 and 2021.[11] Of British Columbia's current 14 towns, the first to incorporate as a town was Ladysmith on June 3, 1904, while the most recent community to incorporate as a town was View Royal on December 5, 1988.[7]

Villages

Shoreline of Zeballos, British Columbia's smallest municipality

A village is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's lieutenant governor may incorporate a community as a village by letters patent, on the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is not greater than 2,500 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50 percent voted in favour of the proposed incorporation.[6]

British Columbia has 42 villages[7] that had a cumulative population of 48,511 in the 2021 census.[11] British Columbia's largest and smallest villages are Cumberland and Zeballos with populations of 4,447 and 126 respectively.[11] Radium Hot Springs and Silverton are the fastest-growing and fastest-shrinking villages in the province, growing by 72.6 percent and shrinking by 23.6 percent respectively between 2016 and 2021.[11] Of British Columbia's current 42 villages, the first to incorporate as a village was Kaslo on August 14, 1893, while the most recent community to incorporate as a village was Queen Charlotte (now known as Daajing Giids) on December 5, 2005.[7]

List of municipalities

List of municipalities in British Columbia
Name Status[7] Regional district[7] Incorporation date[7] 2021 Canadian census[11]
Population (2021) Population (2016) Change Land area (km2) Population density (/km2)
Abbotsford CityFraser ValleyDecember 12, 1995153,524 141,397 +8.6%375.33409.0
Armstrong CityNorth OkanaganMarch 31, 19135,323 5,114 +4.1%5.221,019.7
Burnaby CityMetro VancouverSeptember 22, 1892249,125 232,755 +7.0%90.572,750.6
Campbell River CityStrathconaJune 24, 194735,519 33,007 +7.6%144.38246.0
Castlegar CityCentral KootenayJanuary 1, 19748,338 8,039 +3.7%19.87419.6
Chilliwack CityFraser ValleyApril 26, 187393,203 83,788 +11.2%261.34356.6
Colwood CityCapitalJune 24, 198518,961 16,859 +12.5%17.661,073.7
Coquitlam CityMetro VancouverJuly 25, 1891148,625 139,284 +6.7%122.151,216.7
Courtenay CityComox ValleyJanuary 1, 191528,420 25,639 +10.8%32.42876.6
Cranbrook CityEast KootenayNovember 1, 190520,499 20,047 +2.3%31.97641.2
Dawson Creek CityPeace RiverMay 26, 193612,323 12,178 +1.2%26.72461.2
Delta CityMetro VancouverNovember 10, 1879108,455 102,238 +6.1%179.66603.7
Duncan CityCowichan ValleyMarch 4, 19125,047 4,944 +2.1%2.062,450.0
Enderby CityNorth OkanaganMarch 1, 19053,028 2,964 +2.2%4.26710.8
Fernie CityEast KootenayJuly 28, 19046,320 5,396 +17.1%15.11418.3
Fort St. John CityPeace RiverDecember 31, 194721,465 20,260 +5.9%32.67657.0
Grand Forks CityKootenay BoundaryApril 15, 18974,112 4,049 +1.6%10.37396.5
Greenwood CityKootenay BoundaryJuly 12, 1897702 665 +5.6%2.42290.1
Kamloops CityThompson-NicolaOctober 17, 196797,902 90,280 +8.4%297.93328.6
Kelowna CityCentral OkanaganMay 4, 1905144,576 127,390 +13.5%211.85682.4
Kimberley CityEast KootenayMarch 29, 19448,115 7,425 +9.3%60.51134.1
Langford CityCapitalDecember 8, 199246,584 35,342 +31.8%41.431,124.4
Langley CityMetro VancouverMarch 15, 195528,963 25,888 +11.9%10.182,845.1
Maple Ridge CityMetro VancouverSeptember 12, 201490,990 82,256 +10.6%267.82339.7
Merritt CityThompson-NicolaApril 1, 19117,051 7,139 −1.2%26.04270.8
Mission CityFraser ValleyMarch 29, 202141,519 38,554 +7.7%226.98182.9
Nanaimo CityNanaimoDecember 24, 187499,863 90,504 +10.3%90.451,104.1
Nelson CityCentral KootenayMarch 18, 189711,106 10,572 +5.1%11.93930.9
New Westminster CityMetro VancouverJuly 16, 186078,916 70,996 +11.2%15.625,052.2
North Vancouver CityMetro VancouverAugust 10, 189158,120 52,898 +9.9%11.834,912.9
Parksville CityNanaimoJune 19, 194513,642 12,453 +9.5%14.52939.5
Penticton CityOkanagan-SimilkameenJanuary 1, 190936,885 33,761 +9.3%43.03857.2
Pitt Meadows CityMetro VancouverApril 25, 191419,146 18,573 +3.1%86.34221.8
Port Alberni CityAlberni-ClayoquotOctober 28, 196718,259 17,678 +3.3%19.66928.7
Port Coquitlam CityMetro VancouverMarch 7, 191361,498 58,612 +4.9%29.162,109.0
Port Moody CityMetro VancouverMarch 11, 191333,535 33,551 0.0%25.851,297.3
Powell River CityqathetOctober 15, 195513,943 13,157 +6.0%28.91482.3
Prince George CityFraser-Fort GeorgeMarch 6, 191576,708 74,003 +3.7%316.74242.2
Prince Rupert CityNorth CoastMarch 10, 191012,300 12,220 +0.7%66.00186.4
Quesnel CityCaribooMarch 21, 19289,889 9,879 +0.1%35.35279.7
Revelstoke CityColumbia ShuswapMarch 1, 18998,275 7,562 +9.4%41.28200.5
Richmond CityMetro VancouverNovember 10, 1879209,937 198,309 +5.9%128.871,629.1
Rossland CityKootenay BoundaryMarch 18, 18974,140 3,729 +11.0%59.7269.3
Salmon Arm CityColumbia ShuswapMay 15, 190519,432 17,706 +9.7%155.19125.2
Surrey CityMetro VancouverNovember 10, 1879568,322 517,887 +9.7%316.111,797.9
Terrace CityKitimat-StikineDecember 31, 192712,017 11,643 +3.2%57.33209.6
Trail CityKootenay BoundaryJune 14, 19017,920 7,709 +2.7%34.90226.9
Vancouver CityMetro VancouverApril 6, 1886662,248 631,486 +4.9%115.185,749.7
Vernon CityNorth OkanaganDecember 30, 189244,519 40,116 +11.0%96.43461.7
Victoria CityCapitalAugust 2, 186291,867 85,792 +7.1%19.454,723.2
West Kelowna CityCentral OkanaganJune 26, 201536,078 32,655 +10.5%122.09295.5
White Rock CityMetro VancouverApril 15, 195721,939 19,952 +10.0%5.174,243.5
Williams Lake CityCaribooMarch 15, 192910,947 10,753 +1.8%33.12330.5
Barriere District municipalityThompson-NicolaDecember 4, 20071,765 1,713 +3.0%10.73164.5
Central Saanich District municipalityCapitalDecember 12, 195017,385 16,814 +3.4%41.20422.0
Chetwynd District municipalityPeace RiverSeptember 25, 19622,302 2,503 −8.0%63.5536.2
Clearwater District municipalityThompson-NicolaDecember 3, 20072,388 2,324 +2.8%55.6542.9
Coldstream District municipalityNorth OkanaganDecember 21, 190611,171 10,648 +4.9%66.57167.8
Elkford District municipalityEast KootenayJuly 16, 19712,749 2,499 +10.0%108.1225.4
Esquimalt District municipalityCapitalSeptember 1, 191217,533 17,655 −0.7%7.082,476.4
Fort St. James District municipalityBulkley-NechakoDecember 19, 19521,386 1,598 −13.3%23.4559.1
Highlands District municipalityCapitalDecember 7, 19932,482 2,225 +11.6%38.0165.3
Hope District municipalityFraser ValleyApril 6, 19296,686 6,181 +8.2%40.87163.6
Houston District municipalityBulkley-NechakoMarch 4, 19573,052 2,993 +2.0%72.8841.9
Hudson's Hope District municipalityPeace RiverNovember 16, 1965841 1,015 −17.1%826.701.0
Invermere District municipalityEast KootenayMay 22, 19513,917 3,391 +15.5%10.75364.4
Kent District municipalityFraser ValleyJanuary 1, 18956,300 6,067 +3.8%168.5937.4
Kitimat District municipalityKitimat-StikineMarch 31, 19538,236 8,131 +1.3%239.2834.4
Lake Country District municipalityCentral OkanaganMay 2, 199515,817 12,922 +22.4%122.16129.5
Langley District municipalityMetro VancouverApril 26, 1873132,603 117,285 +13.1%307.22431.6
Lantzville District municipalityNanaimoJune 25, 20033,817 3,605 +5.9%27.68137.9
Lillooet District municipalitySquamish-LillooetDecember 31, 19462,302 2,275 +1.2%27.6383.3
Logan Lake District municipalityThompson-NicolaNovember 10, 19702,255 1,993 +13.1%324.287.0
Mackenzie District municipalityFraser-Fort GeorgeMay 19, 19663,281 3,714 −11.7%154.1921.3
Metchosin District municipalityCapitalDecember 3, 19845,067 4,708 +7.6%69.5772.8
New Hazelton District municipalityKitimat-StikineDecember 15, 1980602 580 +3.8%24.3424.7
North Cowichan District municipalityCowichan ValleyJune 18, 187331,990 29,696 +7.7%195.41163.7
North Saanich District municipalityCapitalAugust 19, 196512,235 11,249 +8.8%37.16329.3
North Vancouver District municipalityMetro VancouverMay 13, 190788,168 85,649 +2.9%160.66548.8
Northern Rockies District municipality[12]Northern RockiesFebruary 6, 20093,947 4,862 −18.8%84,759.310.0
Oak Bay District municipalityCapitalJuly 2, 190617,990 18,094 −0.6%10.521,710.1
One Hundred Mile House District municipalityCaribooJuly 27, 19651,928 1,918 +0.5%53.0136.4
Peachland District municipalityCentral OkanaganJanuary 1, 19095,789 5,428 +6.7%16.10359.6
Port Edward District municipalityNorth CoastJune 29, 1966470 467 +0.6%167.162.8
Port Hardy District municipalityMount WaddingtonMay 5, 19663,902 4,132 −5.6%38.55101.2
Saanich District municipalityCapitalMarch 1, 1906117,735 114,148 +3.1%103.591,136.5
Sechelt District municipalitySunshine CoastFebruary 15, 195610,847 10,216 +6.2%39.02278.0
Sicamous District municipalityColumbia ShuswapDecember 4, 19892,613 2,429 +7.6%12.80204.1
Sooke District municipalityCapitalDecember 7, 199915,086 13,001 +16.0%56.60266.5
Spallumcheen District municipalityNorth OkanaganJuly 21, 18925,307 5,106 +3.9%254.9220.8
Sparwood District municipalityEast KootenayOctober 6, 19644,148 3,784 +9.6%191.3021.7
Squamish District municipalitySquamish-LillooetMay 18, 194823,819 19,497 +22.2%104.71227.5
Stewart District municipalityKitimat-StikineMay 16, 1930517 401 +28.9%551.570.9
Summerland District municipalityOkanagan-SimilkameenDecember 21, 190612,042 11,615 +3.7%74.04162.6
Taylor District municipalityPeace RiverAugust 23, 19581,317 1,469 −10.3%16.9277.8
Tofino District municipalityAlberni-ClayoquotFebruary 5, 19322,516 1,967 +27.9%10.56238.3
Tumbler Ridge District municipalityPeace RiverApril 9, 19812,399 1,987 +20.7%1,557.411.5
Ucluelet District municipalityAlberni-ClayoquotFebruary 26, 19522,066 1,717 +20.3%6.48318.8
Vanderhoof District municipalityBulkley-NechakoJanuary 22, 19264,346 4,434 −2.0%53.9380.6
Wells District municipalityCaribooJune 29, 1998218 217 +0.5%158.091.4
West Vancouver District municipalityMetro VancouverMarch 15, 191244,122 42,473 +3.9%87.18506.1
shíshálh Nation First Nations government districtqathet and Sunshine CoastMarch 17, 1988765 697 +9.8%11.0369.4
Bowen Island Island municipalityMetro VancouverDecember 4, 19994,256 3,680 +15.7%50.1284.9
Sun Peaks Mountain Mountain resort municipality[18]Thompson-NicolaJune 3, 20101,404 616 +127.9%40.8534.4
Whistler Resort municipalitySquamish-LillooetSeptember 6, 197513,982 11,746 +19.0%240.0058.3
Comox TownComox ValleyJanuary 14, 194614,806 14,028 +5.5%16.87877.7
Creston TownCentral KootenayMay 14, 19245,583 5,361 +4.1%8.41663.9
Gibsons TownSunshine CoastMarch 4, 19294,758 4,605 +3.3%4.311,103.9
Golden TownColumbia ShuswapJune 26, 19573,986 3,708 +7.5%11.33351.8
Ladysmith TownCowichan ValleyJune 3, 19048,990 8,537 +5.3%12.04746.7
Lake Cowichan TownCowichan ValleyAugust 19, 19443,325 3,226 +3.1%8.24403.5
Oliver TownOkanagan-SimilkameenDecember 31, 19455,094 4,928 +3.4%5.49927.9
Osoyoos TownOkanagan-SimilkameenJanuary 14, 19465,556 5,050 +10.0%8.41660.6
Port McNeill TownMount WaddingtonFebruary 18, 19662,356 2,337 +0.8%13.77171.1
Princeton TownOkanagan-SimilkameenSeptember 11, 19512,894 2,828 +2.3%59.2848.8
Qualicum Beach TownNanaimoMay 5, 19429,303 8,943 +4.0%17.98517.4
Sidney TownCapitalSeptember 30, 195212,318 11,672 +5.5%5.112,410.6
Smithers TownBulkley-NechakoOctober 6, 19215,378 5,401 −0.4%15.26352.4
View Royal TownCapitalDecember 5, 198811,575 10,408 +11.2%14.33807.7
Alert Bay VillageMount WaddingtonJanuary 14, 1946449 479 −6.3%1.69265.7
Anmore VillageMetro VancouverDecember 7, 19872,356 2,210 +6.6%27.5385.6
Ashcroft VillageThompson-NicolaJune 27, 19521,670 1,558 +7.2%50.8632.8
Belcarra VillageMetro VancouverAugust 22, 1979687 643 +6.8%5.50124.9
Burns Lake VillageBulkley-NechakoDecember 6, 19231,659 1,779 −6.7%6.54253.7
Cache Creek VillageThompson-NicolaNovember 28, 1967969 963 +0.6%10.4093.2
Canal Flats VillageEast KootenayJune 29, 2004802 668 +20.1%11.0772.4
Chase VillageThompson-NicolaApril 22, 19692,399 2,286 +4.9%3.75639.7
Clinton VillageThompson-NicolaJuly 16, 1963568 641 −11.4%8.1469.8
Cumberland VillageComox ValleyJanuary 1, 18984,447 3,753 +18.5%29.04153.1
Daajing Giids[lower-alpha 2] VillageNorth CoastDecember 5, 2005964 884 +9.0%35.5827.1
Fraser Lake VillageBulkley-NechakoSeptember 27, 1966965 988 −2.3%4.06237.7
Fruitvale VillageKootenay BoundaryNovember 4, 19521,958 1,920 +2.0%2.70725.2
Gold River VillageStrathconaAugust 26, 19651,246 1,212 +2.8%10.92114.1
Granisle VillageBulkley-NechakoJune 29, 1971337 303 +11.2%39.858.5
Harrison Hot Springs VillageFraser ValleyMay 27, 19491,905 1,468 +29.8%5.49347.0
Hazelton VillageKitimat-StikineFebruary 15, 1956257 313 −17.9%2.8988.9
Kaslo VillageCentral KootenayAugust 14, 18931,049 968 +8.4%3.01348.5
Keremeos VillageOkanagan-SimilkameenOctober 30, 19561,608 1,502 +7.1%2.09769.4
Lions Bay VillageMetro VancouverDecember 17, 19701,390 1,334 +4.2%2.53549.4
Lumby VillageNorth OkanaganDecember 20, 19552,063 1,833 +12.5%5.93347.9
Lytton VillageThompson-NicolaMay 3, 1945210 249 −15.7%6.7331.2
Masset VillageNorth CoastMay 11, 1961838 793 +5.7%20.6940.5
McBride VillageFraser-Fort GeorgeApril 7, 1932588 616 −4.5%4.62127.3
Midway VillageKootenay BoundaryMay 25, 1967651 649 +0.3%12.2353.2
Montrose VillageKootenay BoundaryJune 22, 19561,013 996 +1.7%1.46693.8
Nakusp VillageCentral KootenayNovember 24, 19641,589 1,605 −1.0%8.04197.6
New Denver VillageCentral KootenayJanuary 12, 1929487 473 +3.0%0.87559.8
Pemberton VillageSquamish-LillooetJuly 20, 19563,407 2,574 +32.4%61.3655.5
Port Alice VillageMount WaddingtonJune 16, 1965739 664 +11.3%7.03105.1
Port Clements VillageNorth CoastDecember 31, 1975340 282 +20.6%13.0726.0
Pouce Coupe VillagePeace RiverJanuary 6, 1932762 792 −3.8%2.06369.9
Radium Hot Springs VillageEast KootenayDecember 10, 19901,339 776 +72.6%6.34211.2
Salmo VillageCentral KootenayOctober 30, 19461,140 1,141 −0.1%2.44467.2
Sayward VillageStrathconaJune 27, 1968334 311 +7.4%4.4475.2
Silverton VillageCentral KootenayMay 6, 1930149 195 −23.6%0.35425.7
Slocan VillageCentral KootenayJune 1, 1901379 289 +31.1%0.78485.9
Tahsis VillageStrathconaJune 17, 1970393 248 +58.5%5.2674.7
Telkwa VillageBulkley-NechakoJuly 18, 19521,474 1,327 +11.1%7.04209.4
Valemount VillageFraser-Fort GeorgeDecember 13, 19621,052 1,021 +3.0%5.16203.9
Warfield VillageKootenay BoundaryDecember 8, 19521,753 1,680 +4.3%1.89927.5
Zeballos VillageStrathconaJune 27, 1952126 107 +17.8%1.5581.3
Sub-total cities 3,630,140 3,367,053 +7.8% 4,497.15 807.2
Sub-total district municipalities 669,454 628,795 +6.5% 91,547.50 7.3
Sub-total Indian government districts 765 697 +9.8% 11.03 69.4
Sub-total island municipalities 4,256 3,680 +15.7% 50.12 84.9
Sub-total mountain resort municipalities 1,404 616 +127.9% 40.85 34.4
Sub-total resort municipalities 13,982 11,746 +19.0% 240.00 58.3
Sub-total towns 95,922 91,032 +5.4% 200.83 477.6
Sub-total villages 48,511 44,493 +9.0% 442.98 109.5
Total municipalities 4,464,434 4,148,112 +7.6% 97,030.46 46.0
British Columbia 5,000,879 4,648,055 +7.6% 920,686.55 5.4

Former municipalities

Communities in British Columbia that once held their own municipal status include Aennofield, Alberni, Brocklehurst, Chapman Camp, Columbia, Cranberry Lake, Dewdney, Dufferin, Fort Nelson, Fraser Mills, Glenmore, Guisachan, Kinnaird, Marysville, Matsqui, Mission City, Natal, Nicomen Island, North Kamloops, Phoenix, Point Grey, Sandon, South Fort George, South Vancouver, Sumas, Tadanac, Valleyview and Westview.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] The majority of these former municipalities ceased to exist as a result of amalgamation with or annexation by another municipality.[20][21][22] Others, such as Phoenix and Sandon,[25][26] were dissolved from their municipal status as a result of population decline, while Dewdney dissolved due to financial reasons.[23] The Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality was dissolved in 2021.[27]

See also

Notes

  1. Although British Columbia is the second-largest province in land area, it is third-largest in total area after accounting for freshwater area.[1]
  2. Daajing Giids was formerly known as Queen Charlotte prior to July 13, 2022.[19]

References

  1. "Land and freshwater area, by province and territory". Statistics Canada. February 1, 2005. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  2. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2021 and 2016 censuses – 100% data". Statistics Canada. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  3. "Local Government Act". British Columbia Queens Printer. 1996. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 Union of British Columbia Municipalities. "Local Government in British Columbia: A Community Effort" (PDF). 2006 Edition. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
  5. "Municipal Election Schedule in Canada". Intergovernmental Committee on Urban and Regional Research. December 15, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Local Government Act: Part 2 — Incorporation of Municipalities". Government of British Columbia Queen's Printer. November 12, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  8. "Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council: Order in Council No. 513" (PDF). Province of British Columbia. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Order in Council No. 357". Province of British Columbia. June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Order in Council 0187-2021". March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
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