How was the boundary chosen for the incorporation study area?

The choice of boundaries in any incorporation study is a difficult undertaking that involves the consideration of a number of factors. In the case of Sorrento-Blind Bay, boundaries were developed through a separate boundary analysis exercise commissioned by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The analysis examined four restructure scenarios:

  • incorporation of Sorrento as a separate municipality
  • incorporation of Blind Bay as a separate municipality
  • incorporation of Sorrento and Blind Bay, together, as a single municipality
  • division of Electoral Area C into two areas, each with its own Director.

A boundary for each restructure scenario was developed based on a consideration of 10 factors, including:

  • future community development plans and land use categories, as outlined in the Electoral Area C Official Community Plan
  • existing settlement patterns and land use regulations
  • population and population density
  • local government services and service area boundaries
  • potential future infrastructure developments
  • local road networks
  • property assessment classes
  • property assessment values
  • Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and farm property inventories
  • community input (from the South Shuswap Governance Study).

The factors, taken together, were used to draft potential boundaries. The potential boundaries were then assessed using a range of criteria associated with the different factors. A recommended boundary for each restructure scenario was produced from the assessments. As a final step, the boundary analysis presented a high-level overview of service finance, governance, and property tax implications associated with each recommended boundary.


The results of the boundary analysis were presented to the CSRD Board of Directors for review. Based on this review, the Board recommended the Sorrento-Blind Bay scenario, with its associated boundary, for further study through a Sorrento-Blind Bay Incorporation Study. The Board also recommended that, in the event incorporation were not chosen, Electoral Area C be divided into two electoral areas using the boundary recommended for the Two Electoral Areas scenario. The Ministry accepted these recommendations.

Show All Answers

1. Why is the incorporation study being undertaken?
2. How did we get to this point?
3. How was the boundary chosen for the incorporation study area?
4. Why does the study area include some agricultural properties?
5. Can the study area boundary be changed?
6. Can I opt out of the incorporation study area?
7. Who will decide if a new municipality should be created?
8. What is the role of the Incorporation Study Committee?
9. What would incorporation cost taxpayers?
10. What opportunities will residents, community groups, and stakeholders have to review information and ask questions?
11. What would happen to residents who live outside of the study area in the event of an incorporation?
12. Would a new municipality have ongoing obligations to the CSRD?
13. If there are concerns about governance, can the CSRD address them by adding a second Electoral Area Director to the current Area C?
14. If we incorporate, what will happen to our fire department or other services?
15. What would be the name of the new municipality?
16. What would incorporation mean for garbage collection?