Proposed Electoral Area D Cemetery Service Establishment

The North Coast Regional District (NCRD) has initiated a process to establish a service to support volunteers and community groups facilitating cemetery operations throughout Electoral Area D. The Board has passed first reading to the Electoral Area D Cemetery Service Establishing Bylaw No. 706, 2025. See our Bylaws for Consideration web page to view a copy of the Bylaw.

The establishment of a cemetery service on Rural Graham Island is intended to support volunteers and community groups providing cemetery services throughout communities within Electoral Area D of the NCRD, such as Tlell, Tow Hill, Lawnhill and Miller Creek. The service will establish a means for the NCRD to play a more active role in supporting cemetery operations through the ability to hold property and provide modest annual funding for cemetery operations when requested by service providers in the service area.

If passed, the NCRD will play an active role in supporting the operation and management of cemetery services through servicing agreements with local community groups. This may include provision of annual funding for these groups and assistance with tenure of lands for cemetery purposes.

The proposed service establishing bylaw includes a maximum requisition limit of $10,000 per year.

If supported, property owners in Electoral Area D should anticipate an annual increase in tax requisitions of $3.90 per $100,000 of assessed value. The average home in Electoral Area D will pay an additional $13.55 in annual tax requisitions. Note that the proposed Bylaw does not impact property owners within the municipalities or reserves on Haida Gwaii.

The establishment of a such a service will also position the NCRD Board to be able to direct grant funds, as needed, toward cemetery capital investments.

Next Steps:

In the coming months, the NCRD Board will be seeking the approval of the electorate to establish this new service. This will include public advertisements and an opportunity for residents to formally provide their feedback into the establishment of a new cemetery service in Electoral Area D.

We want to hear from you! If you have any constructive feedback, thoughts, or comments that may assist the Board of the NCRD is their decision-making process, please contact:

Caiden Edwards, Corporate Officer

Email: info@ncrdbc.com

Telephone: 250-624-2002 Ext 2