Latest News

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The BC Economic Development Association will be hosting its annual BC Economic Summit, Economic Revival: Charting a Path Forward for BC Communities from March 8-11. The conference will bring together Indigenous, local, provincial and federal governments representatives along…
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The DFO minister has been mandated to create a plan to transition open net-pen farming in coastal BC by 2025. DFO staff advised that a Strategic Oversight Committee (SOC) has been struck to oversee the creation of the proposed Plan. The SOC provides direction to a Transition…
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On February 28, 2021, building officials to will be required to meet regulatory qualification requirements under the Building Act. Among other requirements, the qualification scheme establishes classes of building officials, requires that they be registered in at least one class…
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The federal government, through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), has issued a discussion paper to seek feedback on the establishment of an Aquaculture Act.  Since the 1980s, aquaculture has been regulated through existing federal-provincial/territorial…
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In late 2020, BC Hydro made application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) to amend the rate schedule to allow for the installation of LED street lighting.  UBCM members have advised there will be significant costs to municipalities with the transition to LEDs as a…
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The Union of BC Municipalities is pleased to offer a webinar for local governments to support their work in addressing the child care needs in B.C. communities. The webinar will be based on the guide, Stepping Stones: Child Care Planning Guides for BC’s Local Governments, which…
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The new FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund was announced last week. Eligible applicants can now submit applications for up to $150,000. The intent of the FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund is to support immediate job creation in order to build local wildfire resiliency and…
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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 Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding…
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BC Operation Lifesaver has developed a series of materials, including a local government Rail Safety Toolkit, to help ensure the safety of residents in communities across British Columbia. Supporting videos, Wheel of Danger and Level Crossing Battle, have also been made…
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UBCM has prepared a submission for consideration by the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act. The Special Committee will make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly on reforms related to the modernization and sustainability of policing; the role of police with…