UBCM Executive Meeting Highlights

The UBCM Executive held its quarterly committee and board meetings virtually over February 16-18. A full slate of Committee meetings was held and Executive members welcomed a delegation from the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Honourable Josie Osborne.

Highlights of the February 18th Executive meeting include:

• received a report from President Roodenburg on her activities since the November Executive meeting.
• received an update from the Working Group on Responsible Conduct with regard to the provincial implementation of recent legislation that will require local government to consider the adoption or updating of a Code of Conduct at least once in each term. The province is also working on regulation changes to embed responsible conduct principles in the default oath of office. The WGRC is continuing the development of an educational module for local elected officials.
• received a report on UBCM’s engagement with the Province on the Development Approvals Process Review and recent statements by the Minister responsible for housing regarding local government planning approvals.  UBCM continues to express its desire for a collaborative and evidence-based approach to address housing.  A general update was also shared on a variety of provincial and federal housing issues and initiatives.   
• received a report on the collective agreement for RCMP members below the rank of inspector and reservists. Despite Public Safety Canada’s intention to bill contract partners for retroactive amounts, UBCM and other partners continue to call for these costs to be covered by the federal government.
• received an update on the 2021 UBCM Finance Report noting that an MOU with the Province is nearing finalization to begin work, and direction was provided by the Executive on a Terms of Reference for the Local Government Finance Review working group and other matters related to communications and governance structure.
• reaffirmed UBCM’s participation in the FCM Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Leadership Program for the next four years where UBCM will continue its working relationship with the National League of Councils in Cambodia.
• received three reports from Presidents Committee noting actions taken on the following matters:
  • appointed Director Russell Mack, Squamish Lillooet RD and Councillor Cheryl Northcott, Tahsis as UBCM appointments to the new Fire Services Working Group;
  • confirmed 2022 Advocacy Days would be held in May and the focus would be on advancing the recommendations within the local government finance paper noting the need for new funding and revenue tools to address climate action, housing and community safety;
  • appointed the following to the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable:
    • Councillor Christine Boyle, City of Vancouver;
    • Mayor Malcolm Brodie, City of Richmond;
    • Councillor Vickey Brown, Village of Cumberland;
    • Mayor George Harvie, City of Delta;
    • Councillor Craig Hodge, City of Coquitlam;
    • Councillor Dean Jantzen, City of Colwood;
    • Councillor Gord Klassen, City of Fort St. John;
    • Councillor Jennifer Leach, District of Lillooet;
    • Mayor David Wilks, District of Sparwood;
    • Francis Cheung, City of Langley;
    • Dave Critchley, City of Burnaby;
    • Steffan Klassen, Town of Creston;
    • Byron McCorkell, City of Kamloops;
    • Paul Gill, UBCM Consultant;
    • Bhar Sihota, UBCM
• received a report on new provincial legislation, regulations and orders in council in the last legislative session affecting, or of interest to, local governments.
• approved the appointment of Mayor Toni Boot, Summerland as UBCM’s appointment to the BC Real Estate Foundation’s Board of Governors.
• received a status and action report on a variety of policy areas that continue to be monitored by UBCM.
• met with the Honourable Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs and discussed: MOU on Local Government Financial Resiliency; Housing / Development Approvals Process Review; and the Joint (provincial-federal) Committee on Disaster Response and Climate Resiliency.
• received the financial report for the period ending December 31, 2021
• received reports on Victoria Operations including status of the Canada Community Building Fund as well as various Local Government Program Services.
• received a report on staff activities since the last meeting in November.
• received a six-month interim report on UBCM’s 2021-2022 Work Plan.

Highlights of the February 16-18 Committee meetings include:

Presidents

The Presidents Committee received updates on the 2022 Excellence Awards Program; staffing; UBCM governance documents review; and member services and group benefits program.  Direction was provided on 10 referred resolutions from the 2021 Convention and next steps on the development of a Terms of Reference for the Local Government Finance Review Working Group and other key issues related to communications and governance structure.  The Committee also received a report on UBCM’s Cybersecurity Project; discussed a report on Local Government Planning Approvals and Housing Supply; met with UBCM’s Investment Advisor; and received correspondence from the BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus.

Community Economic Development Committee

The Community Economic Development Committee provided direction on two referred resolutions from the 2021 UBCM Convention and discussed an upcoming information webinar hosted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on a variety of aquaculture related matters.  Members also received reports on forest policy; connectivity and discussed plans for potential Minister meetings as part of May Advocacy Days.  Members also received two delegations – the first from Motorcycle Powersport BC discussing the local economic benefits of trail and powersport tourism; and the second from Immigration Programs Branch staff who provided an overview of the BC Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Pilot, noting the strong level of interest in the program from local governments.  

Community Safety Committee

The Community Safety Committee received a delegation from E-Comm 911 regarding changes to the 911 emergency communications framework. Committee members also provided direction on one referred resolution from the 2021 UBCM Convention, and considered the Province’s decision to transition the temporary expanded service area approval process into a permanent option for restaurants and the hospitality industry. Additional reports received by the Committee related to policing issues of relevance; cannabis policy; emergency management; and the work of the BC Association of Police Boards.

Health and Social Development Committee

The Health and Social Development Committee received three delegations from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. The first delegation addressed the Province’s exemption request to Health Canada on the decriminalization of illicit drugs; the second discussed provincial harm reduction initiatives; and the third provided an overview of complex care housing. Reports were received on referred resolutions from the 2021 Convention, the Accessible B.C. Act, child care, BC Alliance for Healthy Living’s Small Town Leaders in Active Transportation project, and the health-related impacts of climate change.

Environment Committee

The Environment Committee received a delegation from the Environmental Assessment Office to discuss the consultation process and the timing of EAOs. A second delegation was received from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to discuss the new Watershed Security Strategy and fund engagement process. The Committee also reviewed a report on five referred resolutions from the 2021 Convention; and discussed a report on the health impacts of climate change.

Indigenous Relations

The Indigenous Relations Committee received a delegation from the author of “The Road to Reconciliation”, a Union of BC Indian Chiefs Discussion Paper on Drivers Licensing. The Committee also received updates on advocacy and member engagement surrounding the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and discussed staff outreach and engagement with a variety of agencies and organizations undertaking work on Indigenous initiatives.

Convention

The Convention Committee received reports and provided direction on the 2022 Convention theme, keynote speaker options, and the draft long program.  The committee also reviewed the site allocations for the 2022 Convention.  They also received the financial statements for the period ending December 31st.  Future Convention dates were discussed and more information will be made available in the near future.

Resolutions Committee

The Committee approved its Terms of Reference and the timeline for the 2022 resolutions process. The Committee reviewed delegate feedback from the 2021 Annual Convention.  Delegates shared substantive comments related to resolutions.  The comments raised most often addressed the high quantity of resolutions and a desire by members to have more time for resolutions at Convention.  

Disposition of the 2021 Referred Resolutions

The following is a disposition of the resolutions referred to the UBCM Executive at the 2021 Convention.

¹Refer Back to Sponsor because the Executive felt the motion would benefit from full member debate. Sponsor is encouraged to re-submit for consideration at 2022 Convention.

² Decision made by Executive in November 2021.  Sponsors were informed in November 2021.