Common property : a tool for community development in British Columbia

The purpose of this project is to determine the possible role of common-property regimes in community development, particularly for natural resources, with a focus on the British Columbia context. If it can be shown that common-property regimes can indeed provide a viable development option, then this project will have been successful. Viability will need to be demonstrated by a detailed description of a practical example or a proposed model. The methodology adopted for this project involves first a review of community development theory to identify appropriate community development strategies and objectives. Then the subjects of property rights in general, and common property rights in particular, are examined with an emphasis on their application to natural resources. Finally, a case study of the Mission Municipal Forest is conducted in order to determine its contribution to Mission community development and to see how closely it fits the concept of a natural-resource common-property regime. The results show that common-property regimes have the potential to play a major role in community stability and prosperity, even in the highly industrialized and resource-dependent province of British Columbia. The results also show that, while not fitting the definition of a common-property regime, the Mission Municipal Forest nevertheless contributes a substantial economic benefit to the community, and generates a sense of community pride as well. A model common-property timber tenure is also developed.--Page ii.