Latest News

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Record-breaking population growth in BC has led to data projections that forecast a significant need for more housing—beyond what is already needed for existing residents. The need for that data to be accurate is important as each order of government plans for expected growth.…
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Three local government lawyers took a deep dive into Bills 44, 46 and 47 in the Recent Housing Legislation to provide greater clarity and answer questions around new local government obligations with respect to small scale multi-unit housing, new amenity contribution agreements…
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The transformation of BC’s housing development system through recent legislation will require local governments throughout the province to remake local zoning and planning to integrate the new provincial rules. The scale of the work is considerable, as it touches on all aspects…
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A panel of six mayors discussed the view from their cities as BC faces population growth of one million people over eight years, and the suite of legislative initiatives designed to increase housing supply. They covered topics from the need for infrastructure to match increased…
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The intent of the Asset Management Planning program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations.  The 2024 Asset Management Planning program can provide up to 50% of total…
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Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events, and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations. Local Government Program Services Starting in January 2024, all of UBCM’s Local Government Program…
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The intent of the Regional C2C program is to support the advancement of First Nation-local government reconciliation and relationship building. This program supports forums with funding of up to $10,000. The same funding maximum is available for the development of…
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A report prepared by BC Stats shows that British Columbia’s population growth rate has surged over the past three years due to higher national immigration targets. Nearly 150,800 migrants came to the province in 2022, roughly 52,000 of whom were permanent immigrants. In 2023 the…
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Among the housing-related legislation passed by the Province in fall 2023 was Bill 47 which will legislate minimum density requirements around designated transit hubs. In a session at the 2024 UBCM Housing Summit, Transit-oriented development under Bill 47, representatives from…
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As BC’s decriminalization pilot project reaches the end of its first year, local governments continue to support this initiative as one tool to address the toxic drug crisis. However, recent developments in BC courts leave local governments unclear where public use of illicit…