WHEREAS local governments consider it necessary to regulate the business of buying and selling used and second-hand goods and scrap metal; AND WHEREAS local governments and police recognize the need for provincial legislation regarding metal theft, including a daily electronic recording and reporting information system, such as the Xtract system used in the City of Vancouver: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM advocate on behalf of members to the provincial government to create a provincial regulation governing pawnshops, second-hand dealers and recyclers.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General The Province recognizes that metal theft has grown to be a significant public safety concern in communities across British Columbia. In response to calls for Provincial Government leadership on the issue, British Columbia passed in November 2011 legislation to combat scrap metal theft by regulating the scrap metal and recycling industry. This will involve the creation of sales transaction and recordkeeping requirements; a provincial registry of metal dealers and recyclers; and penalties for non-compliance. The Province is continuing to work towards an integrated solution that is operationally sound and that builds on the achievements made by local governments, industry and police in combating metal theft.