The UBCM Executive held its quarterly Executive meeting in Richmond February 20-21, 2025. It was the first opportunity for the full UBCM Executive to meet with provincial Ministers newly responsible for local government affairs. We look forward to productive collaboration with the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Honourable Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities on priority issues including housing, local government finance, addressing impacts of tariff on BC communities and more.
Referred resolutions: The 29 resolutions that UBCM membership did not have time to debate at Convention 2024 were considered by Executive and the appropriate committees. Nineteen were endorsed (including two that were amended) and will be conveyed to the appropriate government per UBCM’s standard resolutions process. Six resolutions were not endorsed, and another six either required no action, or will be conveyed to organizations other that provincial or federal government. The full list of referred resolutions is here. Updates will be added to the resolutions database in the coming weeks.
Housing: UBCM is collaborating with the BC Urban Mayors Caucus to conduct a survey that will help identify gaps in Provincial delivery and funding of housing. Survey results will be collected this spring. Staff continue to monitor implementation of Bill 44, the Housing Supply Act, and the Short Term Rental Accommodations Act and their impact across local governments.
Responsible Conduct: Feedback from communities thus far indicate support for a mandatory code of conduct, and for some kind of legislative change to support enforcement. However, there is a range of opinion as to what model will best meet the need. The province is drawing on the paper released last year as it undertakes policy development as it explores legislative options.
Other highlights from the meeting:
- Welcomed Councillor Kevin McIsaac as the new AKBLG representative
- Discussed options to enable local elected officials to join the Municipal Pension Plan.
- Considered a request for a UBCM Governance Review.
Presidents Committee: The Presidents Committee considered and made recommendations on 15 referred resolutions from 2024 and set priorities for the 2025 Advocacy Days campaign. The Committee received reports and updates on UBCM operations covering UBCM staffing; group benefits; financials for the period ending December 31, 2024; and a UBCM investment statement. An update on intergovernmental relations was discussed, as well as reports on the local government Financial Resiliency Report and the Municipal Pension Plan. The Committee discussed continued membership in the Western Canada Municipal Association, public disclosure policy for UBCM remuneration, and an updated evaluation process and performance document for the UBCM Executive Director. The Committee also made recommendations for appointments to the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee and a provincial advisory committee on poverty reduction.
Community Economic Development Committee: The Community Economic Development Committee considered and made recommendations on six referred resolutions from 2024; and received updates on Mineral Tenure Act modernization, the consultation process for the federal Draft Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan, and activities of the Regional Connectivity Knowledge Network and Outdoor Recreation Economy Forum. Reviewed recent UBCM submissions to the CRTC: support for a Part 1 application from the provincial government; as well as comments on implementation of a retail internet subsidy in the Far North. Regarding forestry, the Committee received information on meetings of the Provincial Forestry Forum and the Minister of Forests Practices Advisory Committee, as well as the provincial government’s appointment of Councillor Brian Frenkel (Vanderhoof) to the BC Timber Sales Review Task Force.
Community Safety Committee: The Community Safety Committee considered policy issues and priorities to raise with the provincial government this spring. Additional reports received by the Committee pertained to 911 emergency services; RCMP collective bargaining; the ongoing Police Act and public safety review; other policing issues of relevance, including the implementation of body worn cameras, Surrey police model transition, border enforcement, and items discussed by the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee; cannabis policy; liquor policy; implementation of the Fire Safety Act; emergency management; provincial minister mandate letters; a status update on various committees related to community safety; and, a verbal update from the B.C. Association of Police Boards.
Health and Social Development Committee: The Health and Social Development Committee considered four referred resolutions: RR40 (Addressing the Needs of Rural Seniors in British Columbia), NR5 Advocacy for Brain Injury Awareness, NR13 (Fighting Period Poverty and Endorsing the Period Promise Campaign) and NR85(Free Transit for Seniors in BC). A report was received on Regional Hospital Districts, decriminalization and homeless encampments.
Environment Committee: The Environment Committee endorsed Resolution 2024-NR102, supporting legislative changes to permit alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation). Members received updates on key environmental initiatives, including the Province’s review of the Environmental Assessment Act, and the Province’s intention to expedite permitting for major projects and exempt for wind power projects from assessment requirements. Climate action discussions covered the Province’s intention to review the CleanBC framework in 2025, the CEPF Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation fund, and upcoming changes to federal disaster financial assistance and their potential impacts on local climate resilience. Additionally, the committee reviewed the new CleanBC Organics Funding Program and the Public Interest Bonding Strategy.
Indigenous Relations Committee: The Committee had a virtual meeting with members of the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), under the new Relationship Protocol signed at the Province-wide Community to Community Forum. Discussion focused on areas of interest where FNLC would like UBCM support or where they would like to cooperate with UBCM.
The Committee received for information a report on the implementation of UBCM’s MOU with the provincial government. The MOU commits the Province to engage with affected local governments on treaty and non-treaty negotiations with First Nations. The Committee also discussed a toolkit for local governments on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). In addition, the Committee considered a referred resolution asking UBCM to provide an outreach program to British Columbia’s First Nations on becoming full UBCM members and discussed next steps. The Committee also received for information the mandate letter for the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and a case summary involving Gitxaala v British Columbia that is currently being appealed.
Convention Committee: The Convention committee received reports and provided direction on the 2025 Convention theme, and the draft long program. The Committee also reviewed the function allocations for the 2025 Convention. The financial statements for the 2024 Convention and the period ending December 31, 2024were also received by the Committee. The Committee also discussed and provided direction on the Long Service Awards that will be presented at the 2025 Convention.
Resolutions Committee: The Resolutions Committee approved its Terms of Reference and timeline for the 2025 resolutions cycle. The Committee reviewed delegate feedback from the 2024 Annual Convention, noting that delegates provided generally positive feedback for the overall resolutions process and for the submitting and vetting of resolutions. The Committee discussed ideas to improve the efficiency of the resolutions process, as well as looking to create a communications plan to improve membership understanding of the resolutions process.