2024

Whereas Statistics Canada reported that there were 750 police-reported hate crimes targeting religious minorities during 2022, of which 502 or 66.9 were aimed at Jews; And whereas Ontario recently became the first province to introduce mandatory Holocaust education into the elementary school curriculum: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM recognizes the dangers of Holocaust denial and distortion, which so often targets our young people, and urges the Ministry of Education and Child Care to introduce mandatory Holocaust education to elementary schools.

Whereas the Province of British Columbia does not have reliable modernized call for service systems or channels for the Ministry of Environment Report All Poacher and Polluters RAPP Line, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Agricultural Land Commission, or the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; And whereas the lack of a reliable call for service system or channels creates public confusion, frustration, and safety concerns over service level expectations due to a lack of communication regarding queue status, outcome of reporting feedback, or additional follow-up: Therefo

Whereas the Province of British Columbia implements changes to legislation in anticipation of providing benefit to all British Columbians; And whereas not all rural, remote communities are provided with capacity to fulfill new legislative requirements: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province provide subject specific provincial employees on a regional level to support local governments with the increased legislative changes.

Whereas burning carbon-based fuel causes climate warming with harmful socio-economic and environmental consequences; and in response Canada and BC have developed legislation, targets and incentive programs to rapidly decarbonize the economy; and local governments must assist in achieving these goals, and have developed Climate Action Plans and decarbonization programs to do so; And whereas the fossil-fuel industry funds conventions and meetings of local government associations, which benefits the industry while the rising costs of delay are borne by governments and society: Therefore be i

Whereas museums across British Columbia are providing tourist information services and promoting our province for free to thousands of visitors each year; And whereas without the designation of Tourist Information Centre, these museums do not receive funding from the province and must assume the costs involved with providing services to visitors: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of BC to provide funding to museums that act as Tourist Information Centres and simplify and expedite the process for museums to receive Affiliate Information Centre status.

Whereas stumpage rates play a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the timber industry and local economies; And whereas while increases in stumpage rates may generate additional revenue for the Provincial Government, there is a risk of unintended consequences, including economic hardship and reduced revenue for local businesses and governments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government for equitable stumpage rates that balance the need for provincial government revenue generation with the economic sustainability of forestry-dependent communities.

Whereas BCs broader forest sector including harvesting, pulp and paper product manufacturing, and wood product manufacturing continues to make a vital contribution to BCs overall economic and social well-being, supporting some 44,000 direct jobs and close to 100,000 more jobs in total, generating billions of dollars in wages, exports, and government revenues, and forming the economic foundation of dozens of rural and remote communities; And whereas in the last two decades, BCs forest industries have experienced a perfect storm of repeated and interesting crises, and a combination of econom

Whereas assessing and appraising real estate is primarily an information business and the Assessment Act requires BC Assessment to value similar properties consistently and equitably recognizing that similar unsold properties are consistently under-assessed, sometimes for consecutive years; And whereas the Assessment Act has no meaningful consequences for withholding information vital to BC Assessment to obtain critical information necessary to properly assess properties and this results in taxation rates based on flawed assessmentvaluation data: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the

Whereas the Classification of Land as a Farm Regulation establishes minimum gross income requirements for farm operations to be classified as Farm under the Assessment Act, that were last increased in 1993; And whereas farm property tax reform that confers tax benefits to farm operations would help to encourage farming and support local food security: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Province of BC to amend the Classification of Land as a Farm Regulation to increase the income thresholds to achieve Farm classification, to a single minimum gross farm income of 7,000; And b

Whereas local governments recognize the importance of fostering respectful and constructive dialogue within the community; And whereas personal and defamatory attacks on local government leaders, including both senior staff and elected officials, undermine the integrity of the democratic process and create a hostile working environment; And whereas current legislative and legal frameworks, including those of WorkSafeBC and Workers Compensation Act, do not provide adequate protection against such attacks, thereby hindering the ability of local government leaders to carry out their duties e