2023

Whereas local governments are currently not prioritized in the Provincial Enhanced Referral Process that matches ministry and agency demands with existing surplus properties during the Provincial land disposition process; And whereas the opportunity to access lands that are being disposed by the Provincial Government would further the ability of local governments to pursue community planning, economic diversification, and asset management efforts within their communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to consider and prioritize local governments and In

Whereas there is a chronic labour shortage of qualified class 4 taxi drivers and licensed taxi vehicles in northern communities: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC swiftly allows for the expansion of ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft outside of the major urban centers.

Whereas the number of people in BC, including rural and remote communities, experiencing mental health and addictions issues continues to increase; And whereasrural and remote communities lack sufficient resources, including treatment beds, detox facilities, and specialized staff to provide adequate quality care, and travel to distant treatments facilities is a barrier to treatment; And whereas the provincial government has committed to expanding complex care, treatment, and aftercare across the Province to provide quality care to British Columbians where and when needed: Therefore be it

Whereas access to healthcare services is of paramount importance to all British Columbians, a detailed evaluation of structuremanagement is required to inform future strategies; And whereas local governments have limited access to Health Authority reports: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to require a review of the structuremanagement of Health Authorities with multi-stakeholder engagement, including but not limited to local and Indigenous governments, community organizations, people with lived and living experience, and health staff as identified by rele

Whereas capital costs for healthcare facilities in North and Central British Columbia are shared between the provincial government and Regional Hospital Districts RHD at a 60 percent40 percent split Provincelocal RHD; And whereas the cost share ratio borne by a local Regional Hospital District is not financially sustainable, long term, due to escalating constructioninflationary costs and scope of healthcare capital projects increasing without adequate and proactive consultation with the local RHD Board: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to modernize the RH

Whereas British Columbias volunteer firefighters and search and rescue members play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of British Columbians, often risking their own lives in dangerous and unpredictable conditions and often contributing their own financial resources to purchase equipment; And whereas the current tax credit of 3,000 for volunteers who provide at least 200 hours of volunteer service to a volunteer fire department, an eligible search and rescue organization, or a combination of both, is a small amount on a per hour basis: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM

Whereas British Columbia and Canada have committed to protecting and restoring biological diversity, including in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Together for Wildlife Strategy; And whereas protecting and restoring biological diversity contributes toward more resilient and healthy local communities, as well as ecosystem health, while helping to contain emergency management and infrastructure costs in the context of climate change: Therefore be it resolved that the Province work with local governments and First Nations to support the protection and restoration of biological

Whereas exotic animals and their hybrids are not domesticated and suffer physically and psychologically when bred, kept, displayed and sold in captivity, and may pose public health and safety risks to other animals and people; And whereas the removal of exotic animals from their natural habitat damages fragile ecosystems and threatens the survival of wild populations, and their release from captivity can harm British Columbias ecosystems and native wildlife: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to immediately amend the Controlled Alien Species Regulation

Whereas on April 3, 2023, Premier Eby announced that the Province of BC is taking action to address the housing shortage by proposing to implement the Homes for People Action Plan that includes provisions to allow up to four homes on a parcel where currently only one home is permitted; And whereas when the Homes for People Action Plan is implemented through legislation, such legislation, while very appropriate in many urban settings, could, in numerous situations, be in conflict with the ability to service an influx of residents, direct density away from floodplains and other hazards, or

Whereas the Ministry of Education and Child Care is responsible for BCs 10day childcare program, and Child Care BCs growing system of universal childcare has been life-changing for families, with demand far outstripping supply; And whereas the current grant-based process to expand universal childcare relies on grant applicants to coordinate all aspects of design and implementation, and local and Indigenous governments and nonprofit organizations often lack the resources to successfully manage this process in accordance with UBCM-funded childcare needs assessments and action plans: Therefo