Letters Patent

Prior to incorporation as a district municpality, Winfield, Oyama, Carr's Landing and Okanagan Centre, existed as Electoral Area A within the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO).

In 1994 a Restructure Committee was formed to determine the benefits of incorporation and identify the boundaries for the proposed municipality. The vote was decisive in December of 1994 with 59% of the residents voting in favour of incorporation and as such, the Minister of Municipal Affairs implemented incorporation on May 2, 1995 by way of Letters Patent.

The Letters Patent establish the municipality's name and boundary, provide for the first election of the mayor and council, and contain a number of transitional issues. In addition to establishing name and boundaries, Lake Country’s Letters Patent transferred applicable services previously operated by the Regional District, established that one Mayor at-Large, two Councillors-at-Large and one Councillor from each neighbourhood constituency be elected and required that a referendum be held in order to determine the desire of the residents to continue using the ward system.

Letters Patent state that bylaws, contracts, resolutions and permits made or entered into by the RDCO that are applicable to District and within the powers of the municipality, be transferred at the time of incorporation. In addition to the transfer of services including water and sewer systems, zoning requirements, untidy premises and noise control bylaws, Letters Patent established a Fire Protection Services Advisory Committee and a Water Services Commission to assist with the transitional effects of the incorporation.

As required by Letters Patent a referendum as held in 1998 in conjunction with a local by-election. Of the 521 voters that turned out, 85% voted in favor of retaining the ward system. The District of Lake Country prides itself on its accessibility to its constituents and traditional neighbourly values. Lake Country is one of the few municipalities in BC that continues to use the ward system as residents wish to maintain their distinct neighbourhood communities that contribute to the entire community of Lake Country.