Member Notice

WLFN Building Law Enacted

by Brandon Hoffman

Williams Lake First Nation (“WLFN”) Council passed a resolution (BCR 24-101) during a regular meeting of Council on September 5, 2024 which enacted the Building Law 2024-03 as WLFN Law in accordance with section 32.3(a) of the Land Code.

The draft WLFN Building Law was initiated on February 9, 2024 when Council passed a resolution (BCR 24-55) which directed staff to commence the development of a Building Law under the process of law initiation outlined in section 29.2 of the WLFN Land Code. A notice of initiation was published on the same day to inform Membership, as required by the Land Code. The first reading of the Building Law occurred on April 5th, 2024, at a regular meeting of Council. At the meeting, Council passed a resolution (BCR 24-67) which gave acceptance in principle to the draft law and directed a Special Membership Meeting to be held on May 15, 2024.

On May 15th, 2024, WLFN staff presented the First Reading drafts of the Building Law, along with the Business Licence Law and Garbage Disposal Law, at a Special Membership Meeting held at WLFN Council Chambers with the purpose of answering questions and soliciting feedback on the draft laws. Additionally, WLFN staff and Chief Sellars meet with WLFN Elders on May 6th with the purpose of receiving their input on the three draft laws. At the meetings, numerous questions, considerations and suggestions were raised. The feedback received from Members was presented to Council on May 31st with the purpose of seeking direction on how to proceed with revising the First Reading draft Building Law. Additionally, WLFN retained a professional Building Inspector as a consultant with the purpose of receiving input on the draft law. A Second Reading draft was then prepared and present to Council for Second Reading at a regular meeting of Council on June 13th. Because the proposed changes to the draft Building Law were substantial, Council elected to pass a resolution (BCR 24-84), in accordance with section 31.8(c) of the Land Code, which directed that an additional Special Membership Meeting (SMM) be held for the purpose of further discussion of the draft Law. A Special Membership meeting was then held on July 30, 2024. Staff presented the feedback and questions provided by Members at the July 30th Special Membership Meeting to Council at a duly convened meeting on August 8th 2024. At that meeting, Council considered the feedback received and directed that a Second Reading draft be prepared. Council considered the Second Reading at a duly convened meeting held on August 12, 2024, and at that meeting passed a resolution (BCR 24-98) which accepted the draft Building Law in principle and directed that it be tabled for Third Reading. The final draft Business Licence Law was given Third Reading and enacted by Council by resolution (BCR 24-101) at a duly convened meeting on September 5, 2024. At the September 5th meeting, Council also accepted and adopted four schedules appended to the Law; Schedule A – Building Permit Requirements, Schedule B – Permit and Application Fees, Schedule C – Inspections & Schedule D – Other Requirements. The Law will come into force and effect on the 1st of January, 2025, unless Council prior to this date determines by resolution to bring this Law into force and effect on an earlier or later date.

The WLFN Building Law includes provisions dealing with the following subject matters:

  • Definitions of terms used in the Law
  • Purpose of the Law
  • Application of the Law
  • The Law’s limited application to existing buildings
  • Prohibitions
  • Duties and responsibilities of the Building Official
  • Powers of the Building Official
  • Duties and responsibilities of the Registered Holder
  • Duties and Responsibilities of Registered Professionals
  • General permit requirements
  • Orders and notices
  • Relocation of buildings
  • Demolitions
  • Retaining walls and grade
  • Private swimming pools
  • Awnings, canopies and marquees
  • Other requirements
  • Limitation of liability
  • Fees and forms
  • Notices & charges against Registered Holder
  • Offences
  • Immunity
  • Application of the Law

The following is included in a schedule of the Law:

  • Schedule A – Building Permit Requirements
  • Schedule B – Permit and Application Fees
  • Schedule C – Inspections
  • Schedule D – Other Requirements

If you have any questions with respect to the law enactment process or wish to request a full copy of the draft Building Law, please contact Ty Sorensen, Governance Coordinator, at Ty.Sorensen@wlfn.ca / 778-417-0316 or Wenona Gordon, Lands Manager, at Wenona.Gordon@wlfn.ca. / 778-417-0195. Full copies of the final draft law can also be obtained by Members at the WLFN Yorston Administrative Building (315 Yorston Street).