Regional district refreshes bylaw enforcement rules

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district has made important changes to bylaw enforcement in the Peace River region. 

During the August 14th board meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), the directors passed a new Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw.

The update changes parts of the current Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw, passed in 2021. 

The changes include adjusting the bylaw enforcement officer and screening officer roles to reduce the chances of conflicts of interest. With this change, the officer who issued the bylaw notice cannot also be the officer who screens the bylaw notice. 

The new legislation also adjusts the role of the RCMP in bylaw enforcement. As of the passing of the new bylaw, members of the RCMP will not be able to issue bylaw notices on behalf of the PRRD. 

“RCMP members do not generally enforce local government bylaws and have other legislation and regulations to enforce specific to their mandate,” a report from staff on the bylaw stated. 

To read the staff report on the Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw, see below.