The UBCM Executive held its quarterly Executive meeting in Victoria, April 1-3, in conjunction with advocacy meetings with Ministers and MLAs. The trade war was top of mind, and Executive are pleased to share two resources to help local governments respond.
Macroeconomic Impacts of the US-Canada Trade War: In response to the trade war, UBCM engaged Oxford Economics to develop modelling on how the trade war will affect GDP, employment and a host of other macroeconomic impacts. UBCM President Trish Mandewo and Executive Director Gary MacIsaac will be at the Area Association meetings this spring to share the findings of this work with members. Read the report and learn more about our advocacy on the Current Issues page.
Procurement Policies Guide: A number of local governments have requested guidance on making amendments to their procurement policies in response to the tariffs. Some are considering "Buy Canadian" policies while others may be considering policies which exclude US suppliers from consideration. UBCM asked our solicitor to outline general information in a legal bulletin for local governments to consider when making such amendments.
Executive also decided to:
- Request a provincial review of the Justice Institute of B.C. Police Academy through the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable.
- Ensure local governments are adequately engaged as part of the Province’s independent review of E-Comm and 911 services.
- Work with the Province to provide opportunities for local government input regarding cannabis market controls and hospitality spaces.
- Follow-up with the Province’s Environmental Assessment Office to seek additional information about how its decision to ‘fast track’ major resource development and renewable energy projects will impact engagement and consultation with local government.
- Meet with the Minister of Finance to discuss the future of the Local Government Finance Working Group.
- Streamline Convention registration to provide a single base fee for the five days of the event.
- Establish a cooling off period for Executive members who choose to run for provincial or federal office, in the event that they are unsuccessful in the election. Members will not be able to automatically re-take their position on Executive, but will have the option to stand for re-election at the next UBCM Convention.
Housing: Staff reported on the housing plans of the federal parties presented during this federal election, and gave an update on implementation activities pertaining to Bill 44 (the Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023).
Indigenous Relations: Lawyer Reece Harding of Young Anderson provided a presentation on Local Governments and Indigenous Peoples: Some Foundational Legal Principles. The educational presentation provided highlights around Aboriginal Rights and Title including history and caselaw, duty to consult and accommodate, treaties, Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. His presentation also included recommendations for local governments and examples of reconciliation at the local level.
Intervenor Status: The Executive discussed whether UBCM should seek intervenor status in the case of Roy v. City of Vancouver, which is seeking the right of unhoused people to shelter full time in parks and other spaces. The Executive supported UBCM undertaking intervenor status as a successful challenge would impact all local governments.
Highlights from committee meetings include:
Presidents Committee: The Presidents Committee met with UBCM’s solicitor to receive legal advice on applying for intervenor status in Roy v. City of Vancouver. The Committee received reports and updates on UBCM operations covering UBCM staffing, group benefits, financials for the period ending December March 30, 2025, and a UBCM investment statement. An update on intergovernmental relations was discussed, including the continued use of non-disclosure agreements by the Provincial Government.
Community Economic Development Committee: The Committee received updates from the Regional Connectivity Knowledge Network, discussed progress on the provincial government’s Part 1 application to the CRTC, reviewed ongoing forest policy files including the BC Timber Sales Review Task Force. Members discussed challenges encountered by small businesses and ways that local government can support small business as a facet of local economic development. The Committee resolved to write to the provincial government to support the outdoor recreation sector’s call for an economic impact assessment; assist with connecting outdoor recreation sector organizations to destination marketing and tourism industry organizations; provide in-kind support for the forthcoming Outdoor Recreation Communities Guide; and conduct an environmental scan on supports and challenges experienced by small businesses.
Community Safety Committee: The Community Safety Committee received delegations from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding cannabis policy work; and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness regarding the provincial Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment and upcoming regional assessments. Committee members considered reports regarding the Justice Institute of B.C. Police Academy; 911 emergency services; RCMP collective bargaining; other policing issues of relevance, including the future of RCMP contract policing, border enforcement, and discussions at the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee; and, a summary of provincial budget investments related to community safety.
Convention Committee: The Convention Committee approved the draft long program for the 2025 Convention in Victoria. They also received reports and provided direction on the Convention entertainment, speaker gifts, and the Convention budget. A report outlining the process for the session proposals was also received for information. The committee provided direction on the childminding program for Convention, which will once again be offered to UBCM members for $30 per day per child. This will open for registration at the same time as Convention registration in July. Finally, the committee made a recommendation to streamline Convention registration to provide a single base fee for the five days of the event.
Environment Committee: The Environment Committee received a delegation from the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness regarding the provincial Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment and upcoming regional assessments. Committee members also discussed how the Province’s plans to fast-track major projects may impact local government engagement, planned legislative amendments to address aquatic invasive species, and the Province’s implementation of the Zero Carbon Step Code and elimination of the carbon tax.
Health and Social Development Committee: The Committee discussed the 2025 Provincial Budget which highlighted new funding for local governments on homelessness response, addiction treatment, street disorder, and affordable housing; homeless encampments; provincial changes to the distribution of prescribed alternatives (safe supply); and a request to the Minister of Health regarding Regional Hospital Districts.
Indigenous Relations Committee: The Committee received a delegation from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs (HMA) staff who provided an update on provincial guidance to local governments implementing UNDRIP and on HMA’s Declaration Act action items (i.e. inclusive governance and naming of local governments). The Committee sought a commitment HMA that UBCM be part of this work. Committee members urged the Province to prioritize developing a practical guide and engage UBCM members, given that local governments across the Province vary in terms of capacity, and where they are on their reconciliation journey and in their relationships with First Nations.
Resolutions Committee: The Resolutions Committee discussed implementing an improved communications plan to better inform the membership of the tools and resources available for preparing resolutions, as well as better explain the advocacy work around endorsed resolutions. The Committee is also focused on improving the efficiency of the resolutions process to not only complete the consideration of all of the resolutions at Convention each year, but also to improve the quality of resolutions and the advocacy that comes from them.