FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 25, 2026

Petition Filed Seeking Disincorporation of Village of Sayward

Sayward, BC — A coalition of residents has formally submitted a Notice of Petition for the Disincorporation of the Village of Sayward to the Province of British Columbia, citing what it describes as a breakdown in governance, financial instability, and loss of public confidence in the municipality.

The petition, addressed to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and copied to regional and provincial representatives, asserts that the Village is no longer functioning as a viable or sustainable local government. According to the filing, the petition has surpassed the required legal threshold, with 54.3% of eligible electors supporting a request for a provincial restructuring study.

Key Concerns Raised

The Coalition outlines several critical issues forming the basis of the petition:

• Governance Failure:
  The Village’s application to the Supreme Court to reduce council quorum requirements is described as an admission that the municipality cannot function under standard democratic procedures.
• Financial Instability:
  Residents cite escalating legal costs—projected to exceed $300,000 in 2026—as consuming a significant portion of municipal revenue. The petition also highlights the absence of unrestricted reserves and a proposed 42% property tax increase.
• Service Reductions:
  Essential community services, including the Kelsey Recreation Centre, remain closed with no reopening plan. Additionally, the discontinuation of the local newspaper is cited as contributing to reduced transparency and communication, particularly for seniors.
• Use of Public Funds:
  The Coalition alleges that indemnification bylaws are being used to fund internal legal disputes, placing additional strain on taxpayers.

Formal Requests to the Province

The petition calls on the Province of British Columbia to take immediate action, including:

• Ordering a provincial financial and governance audit
• Initiating a formal dissolution and restructuring study
• Placing a hold on the 2026 financial plan and proposed tax increase
• Considering the appointment of an Official Administrator to oversee municipal operations

Statement from the Coalition

In the submission, the Coalition states:

“Residents are facing unprecedented tax increases without corresponding improvements to services. Instead, public funds are being directed toward internal disputes. This situation is no longer sustainable, and provincial intervention is required to protect the community.”

Next Steps

Under the Local Government Act, the Province will review the petition and determine whether to proceed with a restructuring study. Such a study would assess the feasibility and impacts of dissolving the municipality and transitioning governance to the Strathcona Regional District.

Media Contact:
Jessica Bennett
Sayward Taxpayers Alliance
Email: info@saywardtaxpayers.com
Phone: 250-204-6221