Annual Report
Our annual report describes our activities and performance, and provides all of the elements of annual reporting as outlined in the Community Charter, including:
- our audited annual financial statements
- a list of permissive tax exemptions
- a report on our services and operations
- a progress report on objectives established in the 2019-2022 Corporate Plan
- a statement on next year’s objectives and measures
Download the 2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report public input
We received input on the 2022 Annual Report from the public by email, through a discussion forum on this webpage, and at public meetings. Here is a summary of all the input we received, and the responses we provided.
Download the public input summary
About our 2022 Annual Report
Here is a summary of our work and accomplishments for 2022. For more details, download the complete report.
Our progress in 2022
Our work is guided by five corporate goals. Here are some highlights of the progress we made in 2022 towards achieving those goals.
| Goal | Progress |
|---|---|
| Enhance livability and mobility | Completed several complex transportation projects to improve traffic congestion, extended the cycling network by completing the first phase of the Lynn Valley Active Transportation Project and worked with regional partners to take an integrated approach to planning and advancing large-scale projects |
| Issued a development permit for a 60-unit supportive housing project for women-led households experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness | |
| Approved the North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative Final Report, which includes 12 priority actions for moving people to stable and long-term supportive housing | |
| Explored opportunities for supportive and social housing on District-owned lands | |
| Foster community, safety, health and resiliency | Officially opened the Lions Gate Community Centre, which includes a Lions Gate Express Library where users can pick up holds during community centre hours |
| Started construction on the Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre | |
| Prepared a framework for Indigenous relations in consultation with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations | |
| Completed a design for a new neighbourhood park on the former Delbrook Lands | |
| Enhanced operational effectiveness of a North Shore-wide dispatching model to enhance emergency response across all three municipalities | |
| Conducted 128 events with over 7,100 community members on fire prevention | |
| Heightened police visibility in the community by concentrating proactive and reactive patrols in high crime areas | |
| Lead in climate emergency action and environmental management | Published corporate energy use and emissions data for District facilities, and received an award from Building Benchmark BC as the jurisdiction with most participating buildings per capita |
| Launched a new Sustainability Grants Program to provide funds for community-based environment and sustainability projects | |
| Approved the Climate Ready Rezoning Policy that formalizes District expectations for low-carbon, climate-resilient buildings when applicants are seeking rezoning, including measures to address embodied carbon and ensure cooling in multi-family buildings | |
| Completed Climate Smart assessments for community recreation centres and libraries, completed HVAC retrofit projects at District Hall and started an HVAC retrofit project at the District Operation Centre | |
| Completed Phase 2 of the Jump on a New Heat Pump to encourage homeowners to switch to a low-carbon heat pump for home heating and cooling | |
| Secured federal and provincial funding to expand the District’s public electric vehicle charging network and began identifying sites and designs for installation | |
| Achieve a balanced and fair economy | Created a subcommittee with Metro Vancouver finance officers on municipal finance reform to modernize local government financial tools and policies, and to recognize local governments as valued partners in achieving goals related to housing, climate action and community safety |
| Addressed tax fairness issues impacting businesses and achieved progress on BC Assessment’s application of “highest and best use“ through Bill 28, which amended the Community Charter to enable municipal councils to provide tax relief to reduce the impact of development potential on tenants and owner-occupiers (i.e., small businesses) | |
| Initiated a full review of developer contributions and amended the Development Cost Charges Bylaw to ensure charges are keeping pace with inflation | |
| Recruited a staff resource to establish the new Business Services & Economic Development department and launched key business and economic development programs and services, including a business retention, expansion and attraction program, partnership development and business outreach |
|
| Support a sustainable and service-oriented organization | Launched Report a Problem on our dnv.org website so visitors can report problems and was recognized with a Municipal World Innovation Award for this work |
| Launched a pilot project at District Hall that includes spaces for collaboration and short-term working areas | |
| Developed a business intelligence strategy to focus on the technology and resources to support our transition to a data-driven organization and replace legacy reporting tools |
Our financial performance
In 2022, taxation, fees and user charges accounted for 86 per cent of the District’s revenue. We generated higher revenues from fees and user charges as a result of facilities returning to pre-pandemic service levels.
On the expense side, the District’s largest expenses were for protective services and utilities, which together accounted for just under half of all expenses.
In 2022, we spent $59 million on essential upgrade and expansion projects for utilities, transportation and equipment purchases. This included replacing the storm sewer on Gallant Avenue, upgrading the Lynn Valley trunk sewer, completing major sections of the Spirit Trail and advancing construction at community centres and the Maplewood Fire and Rescue Centre.
Our operational performance
The Services and Operations section of this annual report shows our five-year performance on key
measures. This includes data on:
- new net rental units
- increase in active transportation network
- crash statistics
- use of parks, cultural amenities, museum and archives, and associated revenues
- expenses
- crime rate
- response time by fire services and incident types
- annual corporate greenhouse emissions from District operations
- water consumption and solid waste collection and diversion
- residential tax rate and property tax increases
- number of competitive bid documents issued
- number of business licences issued
- number of building permits issued and associated revenue
- asset condition ratings for the District’s buildings, park facilities, transportation, utilities,
- vehicles and equipment
- number of water main breaks
Looking ahead
The District Council elected in October 2022 is establishing their priorities which we expect will support previously identified priorities from the community, including:
- improving transportation and mobility
- advancing affordable housing efforts
- creating the conditions for a balanced and fair economy
- fostering community well-being, culture and safety
- demonstrating leadership in climate and environmental management
- supporting a resilient and service-oriented organization