2024

Whereas the City of Port Alberni funds the greatest number of RCMP members and pays significantly higher police costs per capita and per household compared to other local governments in the Alberni Valley, placing a significant burden on its taxpayers under the current Police Services funding model for British Columbia that does not take into account the financial commitment or funding contribution of each jurisdiction; And whereas systemic social issues outside of a local governments mandate, such as poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges, contribute to increased call volumes a

Whereas the current search and rescue director of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness EMCR imposed a moratorium on all of the Provinces search and rescue teams, prohibiting those groups from expanding their capabilities until the Province has conducted a needs assessment study; And whereas Search and Rescue groups provide invaluable services crucial to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, tourist safety, and overall community well-being: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to promptly lift this moratorium and allow Search and Rescue groups to add to the

Whereas the current response capability approval process for individual ground search and rescue SAR teams is hindering the ability of teams to respond to known hazards and utilize local capabilities and innovative technology; And whereas while the Province is responsible for administration of the SAR Program, local SAR expertise, community needs, and local authorities and agencies input must be a greater part of the capability approval process; And whereas capability decisions must not include call volume, as saving one life makes the investment of time and money worthwhile, and strength

Whereas the health and safety of firefighters across British Columbia are routinely compromised by exposure to Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl Substances PFAS, through the use of PFAS-containing fire retardant foam and through dermal absorption from the water-repellent inner liner of their turnout bunker gear, particularly during periods of extreme heat and high physical exertion commonly experienced by firefighters in the line of duty; And whereas the City of Vancouver recently approved a one-time budget increase of 2.8 million to procure Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl free PFAS-free bunker gear for all

Whereas BC has experienced unprecedented wildfire activity resulting in significant detrimental and toxic environmental impacts, especially within riparian areas; And whereas many homeowners who have been impacted by wildfires are unable to afford the expensive assessments due to financial constraints thereby not proceeding with cleanup on their properties; And whereas the lack of a timely and flexible Riparian Area Protection Regulation RAPR permit process has not only hindered legitimate cleanup efforts but has also given rise to an increase in reports of illegal dumping causing additio

Whereas current fire management practices do not adequately address the unique challenges posed by holdover fires, necessitating a comprehensive and year-round approach to forest fire management; And whereas a comprehensive and year-round forest fire management program can help reduce the risks associated with holdover fires, protect ecosystems, and enhance the safety and well-being of communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to allocate the appropriate resources and adopt a comprehensive and sustainable year-round forest fire management program to ad

Whereas the BC Wildfire Initial Attack Crews are a critical component of the wildfire response and rapid wildfire suppression in the Province of British Columbia; And whereas Initial Fire Attack Crew Base locations are key to providing timely wildfire suppression efforts; especially in remote and rural areas: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to maintain the Initial Fire Attack Crew Bases in their current locations, and not relocate them without significant local stakeholder consultation.

Whereas the Province of British Columbia needs to review its policy for backcountry closures during periods of extreme wildfire risk; And whereas Regional Districts have no ability to mitigate the considerable risks associated with Crown land hazards nor respond to emergencies on Crown land under the Regional District service area model; And whereas Regional District electoral area lands have the largest Crown to community exposure to these hazard areas: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to aggressively pursue strategic proactive messaging strategies about restrictin

Whereas the Local Government Act permits municipalities, as part of rezoning and subdivision, to secure land dedication for highway purposes, and the registration of Covenants and Statutory Rights-of-way for works and services, and public access; And whereas there is a desire on behalf of the Province to reduce rezoning applications by having municipalities permit higher density developments as-of-right as per recent provincial legislation to expedite housing delivery; And whereas the Local Government Act does not currently permit a municipality to obtain dedications for highway purposes,

Whereas the BC Building Code contains a definition for floor area, and floor area measures the total inside space of a building; And whereas the Agricultural Land Commission has resolved on a definition of total floor area for principal residences and total floor area of an additional 90m or 186m residence that is not consistent with the BC Building Code: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Agricultural Land Commission to adopt the definition of floor area within the BC Building Code Regulations for buildings in the Agriculture Land Reserve.