Approving Officers
Virtual Workshop
April 30 and May 1, 2026
Registration for this event is currently open.
Statutory Approving Officers or the primary person responsible for the evaluation of subdivision applications in their organization are invited to join local government experts and practitioners for two half-day workshops specifically designed to support you in your role. Do you want to improve your skills with practical training and receive the latest legal updates? Take advantage of this opportunity to add new tools to your toolbox and to learn alongside your peers.
The workshop content was designed with the input of experienced local government practitioners.
Digital Release:
Photos of participants may be used for LGMA educational and promotional material and publications, including future websites or social media materials and promotions. Please email
office@lgma.ca if you DO NOT CONSENT to your image being used for this purpose.
Format:
This virtual workshop takes place on
April 30, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and May 1, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PDT
Credits: Sessions can be used towards Continuous Professional Learning credits.
Eligibility: Registration is reserved for those who work in a BC local government or First Nations jurisdiction, and are the Statutory Approving Officer, Deputy, or the primary person responsible for the evaluation of subdivision applications in their organization. Provincial approving officials are welcome.
Costs: $418 + GST (members) and $478.50 + GST (non-members)
Registration:
Review the workshop brochure and register online by April 16, 2026.
Please select ONE of two concurrent sessions on Thursday, April 30 from 8:40 AM - 10:10 AM.
Cancellation:
No refunds will be provided after April 16, 2026.
Workshop Schedule
Thursday, April 30
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8:30 – 8:40 a.m. WelcomeList Item 3
David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace
Opening remarks by Approving Officer Program Advisor David Block
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8:40 – 10:10 a.m. Concurrent breakout sessions for emerging and seasoned Approving OfficersList Item 2
Join one of two breakout groups to connect with and learn from your peers. Each group will be facilitated by different subject matter experts.
Breakout A: Basics for brand-new AOs
Facilitated by David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace and Claire Negrin, Manager, Subdivision/Deputy Approving Officer, City of Nanaimo
Breakout B: Tales from the Trenches for seasoned AOs
Facilitated by Craig Broderick, Approving Officer, City of Vernon and Audrey Tanguay, Senior Planner, City of Penticton
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10:10 – 10:15 a.m. Stretch BreakList Item 1
Use this space to elaborate on scheudles, events, or specifics of the course.
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10:15 – 11:50 a.m. Legal update
Guy Patterson, Lawyer, Young Anderson
An update on legislation and case law relevant to subdivision approval decision-making.
Session includes brief stretch break.
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11:50 – 11:55 a.m. Stretch Break Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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11:55 a.m. – 12:55 p.m. Deep Dive: Strata Plan Scenarios with LTSA
Lindsay Bealle, Deputy Registrar, Land Title and Survey Authority of BC
The Land Title and Survey Authority of BC (LTSA) is pleased to present a session designed to enhance participants’ understanding of strata plans. Using a hypothetical case study, the presentation will introduce three potential approaches from an LTSA perspective during the first thirty minutes of the session.
Participants will then break into smaller groups to explore these options in greater depth, followed by a plenary discussion to share key insights and ask questions.
The session is intended to spark ongoing dialogue and provide Approving Officers with concepts and considerations to carry forward into future strata plan scenarios.
Bring your lunch and your questions!
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12:55 – 1:00 p.m. Wrap up
David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace
Closing thoughts on Day 1 of the workshop by Approving Officer Program Advisor David Block
Friday, May 1
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8:30 – 8:40 a.m. Welcome & Reflection on Day 1List Item 3
David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace
Welcome from Approving Officer Program Advisor David Block
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8:40 – 9:10 a.m. Nuts & Bolts - Virtual Café breakout sessionsList Item 2
Facilitated by AO Committee Members: David Block, Craig Broderick, Bronwyn Denton, Claire Negrin, Cristin Schlossberger, Leah Stohmann, and Audrey Tanguay
Tap into the hive mind! Connect with your colleagues in facilitated small group discussions around common issues, problems, and the solutions that are working for you.
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9:10 – 10:40 a.m. AO or PAO - What's the difference?
Panelists: David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace
Ryan Evanoff, Manager Policy, Practice and Subdivision Program, Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Cliff Razzo, Provincial Approving Officer Rocky Mountain District, Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and Audrey Tanguay, Senior Planner, City of Penticton
Join members of the Approving Officers advisory committee for a session exploring differences between statutory Approving Officers and provincial Approving Officers and walk away with a better understanding of bringing in other levels of government.
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10:40 – 10:50 a.m. Stretch BreakList Item 1
Use this space to elaborate on scheudles, events, or specifics of the course.
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10:50 a.m.– 12:20 p.m. Panel discussion - Extra special stratas
Panelists: Craig Broderick, Approving Officer, City of Vernon, Claire Negrin, Manager, Subdivision/Deputy Approving Officer, City of Nanaimo, Guy Patterson, Lawyer, Young Anderson, and Leah Stohmann, Director of Community Planning and Climate Change, City of Langford
Hear from experienced practitioners about interesting and unique strata scenarios that they have encountered in their work, followed by a deeper dive into the Strata Property Act and a panel discussion. The session will then move into an audience Q&A where attendees can submit questions live and upvote questions that were submitted.
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12:20 – 12:30 p.m. Wrap up
David Block, Director of Development Services/Approving Officer, City of Terrace
Closing thoughts by Approving Officer Program Advisor David Block
Thank you to the Approving Officers Advisory Committee and program contributors!
This program was designed with the input of these experienced local government practitioners:
- David Block, Director of Development Services, City of Terrace & LGMA AO Program Advisor
- Craig Broderick, Approving Officer, City of Vernon
- Bronwyn Denton, General Manager, AllTerra Land Surveying Ltd
- Claire Negrin, Manager, Subdivision/Deputy Approving Officer, City of Nanaimo
- Guy Patterson, Lawyer, Young Anderson
- Cristin Schlossberger, Land Title & Survey Authority of BC
- Leah Stohmann, Director of Community Planning and Climate Change, City of Langford
- Dean Strachan, Chief Administrative Officer/Approving Officer, District of Sicamous
- Audrey Tanguay, Senior Planner, City of Penticton
- Marianne Wade, Director of Development Services, City of Courtenay
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