2024

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.

Whereas short-term rentals STRs are taking away from long-term rental housing stock and in turn contributing to the housing crisis in Burnaby; And whereas the Province intends to increase the maximum fine a local government may issue to any bylaw non-compliant operator from 1,000 to 3,000 per day utilizing the Municipal Ticket Information MTI system; And whereas under the Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act LGBNEA, the current mechanism to enforce bylaws in Burnaby, a maximum fine of 500 per day is permitted, with no increase proposed by the Province: Therefore be it resolved t

Whereas the BC government aims to create more housing in all of BC through the introduction of the pilot Secondary Suite Incentive Program SSIP; And whereas eligibility for the Secondary Suite Incentive Program does not include properties within many regional district electoral areas: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM advocate to the BC government to expand the Secondary Suite Incentive Program to include all municipalities and electoral areas thereby reducing inequities and barriers to participation.

Whereas many communities are experiencing a crisis-level influx of homeless individuals and the existence of emergency shelters is critical to addressing the safety of people experiencing homelessness; And whereas due to the urgent nature of the need and the lack of suitable building stock in many communities, emergency shelters are frequently operating from buildings that do not meet the major occupancy classification requirements of the BC Building Code, nor the requirements of the BC Fire Code, placing local governments at risk of incurring liability if they do not enforce the codes and