B.C. UNINCORPORATED There are more than 1,300 communities in B.C. that are not incorporated. We delved into the reasons for and against incorporation, and some of the intriguing stories behind those towns. By Matt O’Grady
Driving through B.C., you’ve undoubtedly seen the signage welcoming you to this town or that. If you’re particularly eagle-eyed, you might also have read the fine print: Creston, incorporated in 1924, or Montrose, incorporated in 1956. So why do some communities remain unincorporated while others take the plunge? Primarily, it’s a question of size: Most unincorporated communities have only a couple hundred residents, maximum, though some larger “urban communities” remain: town centres and neighbourhoods (often in the Lower Mainland) that are relics from the preamalgamation era. Smaller communities often can’t justify the incorporation cost of delivering essential services like water and sewage, so they rely on coverage from regional districts instead. The downside is that these unincorporated areas get but one vote on their regional councils. As communities grow, some want more representation for their tax dollars and move to incorporate; that’s what West Kelowna did in 2007, when taxpayers there voted 84 per cent in favour of establishing their own municipal government.
Localities: Less than 50 residents A locality, according to the B.C. government, is a “named place or area, generally with a scattered population of 50 or less.” There are more than 500 localities in B.C., and while technically these are populated, sometimes it’s hard to tell: if you blink on the drive through town, you’ll miss the handful of homes along the strip.
Spotlight: Bliss Landing Many visitors to the Sunshine Coast figure they’ve hit “the end of the road” when they reach Lund, an unincorporated community of about 300 at the northern tip of Highway 101. But if you drive another 10 kilometres up Sarah Point Road, you’ll reach Bliss Landing (once known as Bishop or Bishop’s Landing). A former cannery and post office are long gone; now it’s the gated marine community Bliss Landing Estates, with an estimated 15 residents.
and Ladner, both of which are part of the City of Delta (and pay the same municipal taxes).
Spotlight: Carson
Spotlight: Boston Bar
The Danville-Carson Border Crossing in the West Kootenays was one of the first jointly built U.S.-Canada border stations; it’s also a reminder of the once-thriving B.C. town of Carson. In the early 20th century, Carson’s Grand Prairie Hotel attracted both local miners and Americans. Carson faded as a commercial centre in the 1920s as neighbouring Grand Forks (population 4,000) grew, and today it’s little more than a bedroom community.
The picturesque Fraser Canyon town of Boston Bar (population 190) got its name from the placer miners who worked the area’s gold-bearing sandbars during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Both CN and CP have railway lines running through town, with Via Rail (in pre-pandemic times) having a flag stop in Boston Bar for its thrice-weekly Canadian service. In 2011, the town briefly (and unofficially) changed its name to Vancouver Bar, to support the Canucks in a losing Stanley Cup Finals run against the Boston Bruins.
Communities: More than 50 residents
Spotlight: Bella Coola
Communities are larger “unincorporated populated places,” with a recognizable centre that has landmarks such as a post office, general store and community hall. In B.C., there are almost 900 communities, among them “urban communities” such as Tsawwassen
When people talk about Bella Coola, they usually are referring to the long and narrow Bella Coola River Valley, surrounded by mountains popular with heliskiers and filmmakers alike (scenes from The Incredible Hulk were shot there). The Valley has 2,000 residents
The Danville-Carson Border Crossing. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Spring 2021
Right Sizing
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