Messages from the UBCM President, general advocacy communications, and information about Local Government Week.
We are sad to note the passing of Mary Sjostrom, a longstanding local elected official and former UBCM President. Mary was a councillor in Quesnel before becoming the City’s first female mayor. She went on to serve as an Electoral Area Director for the Cariboo Regional District.
Mary served in various positions on the UBCM Executive from 2004 to 2014, including a term as President in the 2012-2013 year.
The provincial government’s consultation period for over 50 proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) has been extended until November 14. UBCM has developed a process for local government engagement and will contract with Randy Diehl (Diehl Management Services) to support its delivery. The engagement with local governments will include a survey of CAOs, follow up interviews with select staff, and webinars with elected officials to share preliminary findings.
With thanks to all the nominees, UBCM is pleased to present your 2025-2026 Executive team:
UBCM membership adopted the 2025 Annual Report and Financial Reports at the 2025 Convention. Executive Director Gary MacIsaac presented a summary of the past year at UBCM.
Read the Annual Report in full.
UBCM issued a press release this morning calling on the Province to pause progress on changes to the Heritage Conservation Act until meaningful consultation can be conducted with local governments.
Victoria, BC – The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) is calling on the Province to pause progress on changes to the Heritage Conservation Act until meaningful consultation can be conducted with local governments.
UBCM Resolutions are an essential part of local government advocacy in BC. Each year hundreds of issues are raised for debate at the UBCM Convention. The volume is an indicator of the wide range of issues that communities deal with – but the sheer number poses some challenges. UBCM Executive is proposing a new framework to streamline the process.
Audrey Moore, a longtime mayor and former UBCM President passed away on June 20, 2025, just months before her 98th birthday.
Moore served as Mayor of Castlegar from 1977 to 1993, the longest tenure in the city’s history. She was previously a city councillor from 1973 to 1977 and held key regional roles, including with the hospital board and the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
((xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and its member organizations joined with the Union of BC Municipalities today to call on the Province to withdraw Bill 15 – the Infrastructure Projects Act.
Last week mayors, chairs, elected chiefs and CAOs joined with Minister Bowinn Ma in a conference call regarding Bill 15, Infrastructure Projects Act. The call provided an opportunity for the Province to provide information about the Bill and respond to questions.