2022

Whereas Section 1257 of the Community Charter and Section 2042 of the Local Government Act exempt elected officials from disqualification due to absences of 60 consecutive days or 4 consecutive regular scheduled board or council meetings, if the absence is due to illness or injury or is with the leave of the council or board, but does not provide an exemption for new parents; And whereas it is recognized that it is important for new parents to have adequate time and energy to spend with their child: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM lobby the provincial government to give its urgent

Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action No. 57, Professional Development and Training for Public Servants states: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and AboriginalCrown relations.

Whereas the Forest Enhancement Society of BC is committed to supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gases, protect communities from wildfire, improve wildlife habitat and create jobs; And whereas uncertainty in funding and resource availability is limiting the Societys ability to plan, support and complete long-term projects that would benefit British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM lobby the provincial government for long-term sustainable funding for the Forest Enhancement Society of BC.

Whereas libraries in British Columbia are largely financed by levies paid by local governments, and where provincial library funding has remained stagnant for the past 10 years; And whereas public libraries are central to communities, providing equitable access to vital resources, including internet, computers, digital library tools, and in-person services from expert staff; And whereas public libraries provide British Columbians with low-barrier services, that support job seekers and small businesses, that increase literacy in communities, that advance reconciliation with Indigenous peop

Whereas Property Assessed Clean Energy PACE Programs promote energy efficient building retrofits through loans repaid via property tax requisition, and PACE programs support the reduction of greenhouse gases, target the most inefficient buildings, and can support equity of access for those enduring energy poverty; And whereas in 2020 the Province identified PACE as a priority and in 2021 awarded the mandate to develop a Property PACE Roadmap for British Columbias Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; And whereas PACE loans are repaid by homeowners through an addition to ann

Whereas registered nurses are in demand throughout British Columbia especially in the northern and rural regions of the province; And whereas the Provincial Health Services Authority PHSA provides for internationally educated nurses to obtain registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives BCCNM and the regional health authorities are using student nurses programs: Therefore, be it resolved that the UBCM lobby the Province of British Columbia to provide greater support to streamline the registration process for internationally educated nurses to the British Columbia

Whereas the recent pandemic exposed the lack of health care resources in rural British Columbia and resulted in many individuals being forced to leave their community for further evaluation and treatment; And whereas accessible, reliable, and effective local medical services should be available to all British Columbians especially during significant illness events that impact the majority of residents: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to further support the development of improved local medical services that meet the needs of all rural British Columbians

Whereas the sexual exploitation and trafficking of youth, children and the vulnerable is increasing in Canada as reported by Statistics Canada, Federal Public Safety Ministry, Canadian Centre to End Trafficking and the Trafficking in Persons Report 2020 USA State Department; And whereas the trafficking profile in Canada disproportionately involves women and children from Indigenous communities, migrants and new immigrants, LGBTI persons, persons with disability, youth, children and the vulnerable: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the RCMP, city police forces and local government

Whereas in the majority of rural and remote geographical sections of British Columbia, first responder resources are limited and comprised mostly of volunteers; And whereas there are often numerous 9-1-1 calls over a period of time relating to one incident, requiring repeat response to the same incident, which leaves small communities at risk of having no responders available to attend other emergency calls, creates unnecessary costs to the Province, and exacerbates emergency personnel burnout: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Provincial Government to expand the Yellow Rib

Whereas prolific offenders in British Columbia are routinely released without consequences or meaningful conditions imposed upon them; And whereas the BC Prosecution Services vision statement guides them to make impartial charge assessment decisions that promote public safety, justice, and respect for the rule of law; And whereas the BC Prosecution Service often determines not to recommend charges be pursued for criminal offenses that are referred by the RCMP, as charges are not in the public interest: Therefore be it resolved that that UBCM ask the provincial government to ensure the