Messages from the UBCM President, general advocacy communications, and information about Local Government Week.
Premier David Eby’s new cabinet includes two designated roles relating to local government. Ravi Kahlon has been appointed Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and Brittny Anderson has been tapped for Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Communities in the Office of the Premier.
UBCM has prioritized addressing local government cost pressures and securing new annual revenue streams for local governments in the 2024 provincial election. In Stretched to the Limit, we highlighted the need to address cost pressures linked to provincial service gaps and new legislative requirements in the areas of housing, infrastructure, community safety and climate action.
Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Green Party, outlined her vision for B.C.’s next government. Furstenau highlighted the need for long-term, stable infrastructure funding for communities. She also called for an approach to provincial policy aimed at inspiring hope in young people.
UBCM signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation (MIRR) during the 2024 Convention. Prior to signing, UBCM asked the Province for a strengthened commitment in the form of an implementation plan, and proposed a draft workplan to be collaborated on by MIRR and UBCM.
The Village of Lytton was nearly completely destroyed in the 2021 Lytton Creek Fire, and residents are still struggling to rebuild. The high cost and slow pace of archaeological work required before rebuilding can begin is prohibitive to the village’s recovery. Individual quotes for archaeological work range from $26,000 to $48,000, with at least one as high as $86,000. The costs, not covered by insurance, are causing some to choose not to rebuild.
Lytton has asked the Province for help to streamline the work and cover these costs, but have had no response.
Gaps in provincial services, increasing regulatory requirements and emergency management costs are stretching local budgets. The Union of B.C. Municipalities is calling on all parties in the provincial election to consider the growing financial pressures on local governments.
A new discussion paper for local government explores the potential of mandatory codes of conduct and models for their administration and enforcement. The paper, Potential for Change, follows a succession of UBCM resolutions that call for changes to the responsible conduct framework for local elected officials. It weighs the merits of a province-wide office of integrity and introduces a new option for local governments to consider to support code of conduct enforcement.
UBCM's 2024 Annual Report is now available, with highlights of UBCM’s work on behalf of our members over the last fiscal year.