Whereas the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM is incorporated pursuant to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Act, S.B.C. 2006, c. 18 the UBCM Act for the purpose of representing in one organization the various municipalities of the Province, despite serving a diverse membership of municipalities, regional districts, and Indigenous communities from across BC; And whereas the UBCM Executive approved a review of the organizations governance documents in its 2021 workplan, endeavouring to: - address out-of-date and unclear references to organizational practices and legislative cross-references within the Act; - identify errors, inconsistencies, and incompatibilities within the UBCM Act, Bylaws, Executive Policies and Conference Rules and Procedures; and - ensure that the above referenced governance documents are current, inclusive, clear, and compatible within the organizations tiered structure of governance; And whereas the UBCM Bylaws require that any request to the Province for an amendment to the Act may only be made pursuant to Extraordinary Resolution duly adopted by the membership: Therefore be it resolved by Extraordinary Resolution that the UBCM Executive be authorized to petition the Provincial Legislature to support a Bill that would update the UBCM Act, while not departing from its intent and basic objects, in order to modernize: a language that narrowly defines the UBCM membership, including but not limited to municipal and municipal government, to better reflect the breadth of the UBCM membership and foster inclusivity; b out-of-date provisions and provisions that no longer reflect organizational practice; and c section 7 of the UBCM Act, streamlining provisions by simplifying the incorporation by reference of outside statutes, and amending references to outdated legislation. https:www.bclaws.gov.bc.cacivixdocumentidlcpsl0601801
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Government appreciates the importance of aligning the UBCM Act with current organizational practices and ensuring that the Act is modern and inclusive. Ministry staff are undertaking work on this issue in partnership with UBCM staff, examining opportunities to modernize the language in the Act and streamline complicated legislative references where possible. Work to date has also included discussions with UBCM staff on how to best approach including references to UBCMs First Nations members within the Act. As with any proposed legislative change request, timing of these changes to the Act depends on the legislative agenda for upcoming legislative sessions and how this request fits within governments legislative priorities.