British Columbia's (B.C.'s) local government system has changed in many ways since the Local Government Department (LGD) was formally established.

Throughout its existence, the LGD has collaborated with other partners in the system to develop innovative and pragmatic solutions to the problems of the day. Many of these solutions - such as regional districts and the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) - have attracted national and international attention.

Here you can read short historical descriptions of notable features in BC's local government system.

• Founding the LGD describes how the Province established the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) in 1934.
• Instant Towns traces the establishment of the "instant towns policy" to support viable resource communities in B.C.'s Interior.
• Regional Districts Part 1 introduces the challenges of regional governance in B.C. and describes pre-1945 policy developments related to regionalism.
• Regional Districts Part 2 continues the story of regional governance in B.C. by discussing initiatives to address regional planning, rural service delivery and governance in urban regions during the 1950s.