Residents in Halfmoon Bay (Area B) will soon be able to take their disputes related to minor bylaw infractions to an independent adjudicator working outside the traditional courtroom.

This is a pilot project that will run until Dec. 31, 2013 and thereafter depending on its success.

In June of 2011, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) joined more than 50 local governments using an adjudication system piloted eight years ago and offered through the Ministry of Justice. The SCRD pilot program that involved ports and sprinkling regulations was very successful with only a handful of bylaw infractions to date.

“The bylaw enforcement process is a progressive step for Halfmoon Bay residents,” said SCRD board chair and Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr. “It will simplify the process of dealing with tickets in terms of ease of payment and the process to challenge them. As well it will result in significant cost savings for the SCRD.”

The adjudication system saves time and money and makes efficient use of court resources, as it eliminates the roles of court and court registries in the administration and hearing of these disputes.

Another unique aspect of the system is that each local government determines what bylaws they want covered. In Halfmoon Bay, the SCRD will enforce its water rates and regulations, ports, dog regulation and impounding, building, noise control, and zoning bylaw offences more efficiently and effectively.

“Joining this system allows us to serve the needs of our community the best way possible and with the least cost,” said Nohr. “It is also a way that local governments, no matter what their size, can support ongoing justice reform initiatives.”

For more information, visit www.scrd.ca/Bylaws.

— Submitted