The Executive of the Union of BC Municipalities held its quarterly meeting November 13-15 in Richmond. With the provincial cabinet now established, UBCM’s advocacy remains focused on new provincial funding to support infrastructure; affordable housing and homelessness; and climate action and emergency management.
These priorities were shared with all parties in advance of the 2024 provincial election and reflect the financial pressure local governments are facing due to the intersecting forces of population growth, climate change and homelessness on local government finances. UBCM will be tabling these priorities as it engages with the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and other provincial officials in the coming days.
General Agenda Items
Code of Conduct - All members of the Executive singed the Code of Conduct.
Resolutions Handling – Received a report on 28 referred resolutions and endorsed resolutions requesting UBCM action from the 2024 Annual Convention and referred each resolution to a specific committee for further consideration or action. Received a report on conveyance of endorsed resolutions from the 2024 Annual Convention, specifying whether they were conveyed to the provincial government, federal government, FCM, or other organization as applicable.
Housing Update – Received a report detailing recent federal and provincial housing activities including an overview of housing related provincial campaign platform components and information on the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund.
Responsible Conduct – Received a report on the activities of the Working Group on Responsible Conduct. A discussion paper prepared by UBCM in partnership with the Local Government Management association has been distributed to local government elected officials and staff. Comments on the potential of a mandatory Code of Conduct and additional resources to support the administration and enforcement of Codes of Conduct are being provided to UBCM and LGMA.
Funding Programs Administered by UBCM – Received a report on the recent activities and status of the Canada Building-Community Fund and various Local Government Program Services funding programs.
Membership request from High Bar First Nation – Considered and approved a request from High Bar First Nation seeking membership in UBCM, noting that High Bar First Nation meets the membership criteria set out in the Executive Policies.
Women in Local Leadership - A report was received on UBCM’s participation in the Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) program. This program is funded by Global Affairs and implanted by FCM. UBCM traveled to Cambodia in November to offer presentations and hold discussions with local participants on leadership, self-advocacy, gender stereotypes, gender equality, gender mainstreaming and pluralism.
FCM Travel Fund – The Executive reviewed the criteria for this fund that supports travel by local elected officials in B.C. to FCM's Board and Standing Committee meetings. From now on, the fund will be available to elected officials from all local governments. Recipients will no longer be required to serve on a Council or Board currently contributing to the fund.
Correspondence – Received correspondence from Lower Mainland Local Government Association; City of Vancouver; Wheatland County; Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities; and Director Aimee Watson.
Committee Reports
Presidents Committee – The Presidents Committee received an update on UBCM staffing; a report on member services and group benefits; a general financial report for the period ending September 30, 2024, a UBCM Investment Report; and financial statements as of September 30, 2024. A verbal report was also provided on the UBCM convention Code of Conduct.
Included was a verbal report on intergovernmental relations. The Committee also received, for information, an update on the Financial Resiliency Report and the 2024 Provincial Election Strategy Report that outlined UBCM’s advocacy efforts in securing new provincial funding to support infrastructure; affordable housing and homelessness; and climate action and emergency management.
The Committee reviewed their terms of reference and approved minor changes, endorsed the 2025 work plan for the 2025 Community Excellence Awards, approved administrative amendments to Executive Policies and provided direction on future engagement with the BC Urban Mayors Caucus. Finally, the Committee recommended direction on future executive composition and supporting policies, made recommendations to UBCM Executive on various UBCM appointments, recommended Executive direct UBCM staff to initiate a process that addresses UBCM participation on the Emergency Medical Assistants Education Fund Advisory Committee and tabled W.E. Talk next steps for a future meeting.
Community Economic Development – The Community Economic Development Committee confirmed its Terms of Reference and adopted a work plan and priorities for the coming year. Received updates on a Part 1 application to the CRTC from the provincial Ministry of Citizens’ Services, calling for changes to the way the federal government shares internet connectivity data. Regarding forestry, received briefing notes on the Heritage Conservation Act as well as a report from a meeting of the Minister of Forests Practices Advisory Committee. In aquaculture, received information about the Draft Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia; and in outdoor recreation, reviewed Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research: A Do-It-Yourself Guide and Toolkit, recently published by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC.
Community Safety – The Community Safety Committee considered its Terms of Reference and priorities for the upcoming year. Additional reports received by the Committee pertained to policing issues of relevance, including RCMP collective bargaining, the future of RCMP contract policing, implementation of body worn cameras, Surrey police model transition, Auxiliary Program, the provincial Police Act and public safety review, changes to the cost of police training, repeat offenders and bail reform, and items discussed by the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee; bylaw enforcement; 911 emergency services; cannabis policy; emergency management; and grant programs administered by UBCM.
Convention – The Convention Committee reviewed its terms of reference and the Convention planning cycle for 2025. The Committee also reviewed and received the Guiding Principles: Convention Finance & Sponsorship. The Committee discussed and received reports on the 2024 Convention including a report on attendance, preliminary staff comments, sponsorship, a preliminary financial report, and a media relations report. The delegate evaluation report was also presented with the full list of comments submitted in the post-Convention survey. The evaluations were predominantly positive and provided constructive feedback for future planning. The committee discussed potential updates for the 2025 Convention based on these reports. The planning cycle and theme for the 2025 Convention were also discussed.
Environment – The Environment Committee reviewed its terms of reference and affirmed priorities for the coming year, focusing on collaboration, advocacy, and long-term partnerships. Key priorities include monitoring environmental legislation, advocating for improved waste management and water governance, and supporting the expansion of funding and policy to enhance support for local climate action and engagement in Provincial climate and disaster resilience initiatives. The Committee emphasized the importance of immediate community benefits and enhancing local government capacity to address environmental and climate challenges.
Health and Social Development – The Health and Social Development Committee reviewed and approved the terms of reference and priorities for 2024/2025 which include advocacy, monitoring and input on: Regional Hospital Districts; decriminalization of illicit substances; mental health and addictions; harm reduction; homelessness; rural health care; physicians and health care professionals; overdose crisis; and health impacts of climate change.
Indigenous Relations – The Indigenous Relations Committee reviewed and confirmed its Terms of Reference and priorities for 2024/2025, focused on engaging the provincial government on the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This includes advocating for legislative changes related to inclusive governance (i.e. First Nation participation on regional district boards) and implementation of local government consultation by the Province under UBCM’s MOU with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Additional reports received by the Committee included the development of a local government toolkit with guidelines and resources for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); the Community to Community (C2C) program including the recent Province-wide C2C forum; and the recently signed Relationship Protocol with First Nations Leadership Council. The Committee also received information items on a provincial reconciliation agreement with Coastal First Nations; Nuchatlaht’s Aboriginal Title case; and the final report by Kimberly Murray, Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Residential Schools.