Victoria Airport Authority

The Authority is a legal entity incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act as a "not for profit" organization. This means that the corporation cannot distribute any profits by way of dividends to its members. It can however make a profit in the normal business sense to provide for its ongoing viability. The common British Columbia equivalent organization is a society.

TERMS OF REFERENCE - Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the Authority is to take over the operation of the Victoria airport under a 60 (renewable to 80) year lease from Transport Canada, acting for the Federal government.

Mandate

The mandate for the Authority is to operate a safe, efficient, modern airport to serve over 350,000 people residing in approximately twenty municipalities from Duncan south. There is no other airport for the bulk of this population - which is expected to grow to over 500,000 in the fairly near future. Indeed, it is unlikely that there is even a suitable site for another airport, and the smaller airport at Nanaimo is not a realistic alternative.

Membership

• The only members are the directors, and vice-versa. 
• Membership as noted above.
• All appointments are made by the board to ensure that directors meet qualifications set out by Transport Canada. No government (including municipal) employees or elected officials are permitted to sit on the board, and the board as a whole is required to be comprised of people having a variety of relevant skills and experience.
• The directors are required to act in the best interests of the Authority, not to merely represent the interests of their nominators.

Authority communication with other municipalities and nominating entities

At the request of any nominator, the corporation shall cause a meeting to be held with the duly authorized representatives of the nominator at which the Chair and such other directors of the corporation as the Chair deems appropriate shall be present to respond to questions on matters of public interest concerning the business of the corporation. The nominator's request shall state the general nature of the business desired to be discussed.

In addition:

• at least once a year, each director must give to the director's nominator a report containing non-confidential information in general terms as to the affairs of the corporation. (At the discretion of the board, that report may be made by way of a report by the board as a whole made collectively to all nominators.);
• the airport management staff maintains close communication with municipal officials;
• the board is required to negotiate with North Saanich and Sidney with respect to land use plans and associated matters, such as the provision of services and facilities;
• local municipal governments are invited to membership on the Authority's "Airport Consultative Committee." This committee is comprised of representatives of various interest groups as well as the local municipalities, and discussion takes place with respect to airport affairs generally. This committee must meet at least twice per year.

Public communication with the Authority

Once per year, the Authority is required to hold a public meeting, at which plans and financial reports are tabled. Members of the public are permitted to speak and ask questions at this meeting. Also, as noted above, the public is represented on the Airport Consultative Committee.

The public is also entitled to access much written information about airport plans and affairs.

Property Taxes

The Authority pays property taxes by direct taxation in the ordinary sense. Tenants on airport lands will continue to be assessed and pay taxes.