2024

Whereas there is currently no legislation in place that effectively safeguards local government staff or elected officials from bullying, harassment, and other inappropriate treatment at the hands of other local elected official; And whereas Worksafe BC does not include local elected officials as workers pursuant to the Workers Compensation Act, thus preventing municipal or regional district staff and other members of council or the board from utilizing Worksafe BC policies, procedures, and safeguards against bullying, harassment, and other inappropriate treatment at the hands of a local e

Whereas in recent years, there has been an alarming rise in incidents of harassment, intimidation and acts of violence aimed at local elected officials, compounding the already strenuous work conditions faced by many local leaders and hindering their retention; And whereas severe abuse, both online and in-person, has the potential to discourage candidates for local governments from joining and remaining engaged in local politics, limiting the diversity of opinion needed in healthy democracies: Therefore be it resolved that the BC government, work with UBCM, to identify and implement measu

Whereas the Alternative Approval Process as a means to obtain approval of the electors as outlined in Section 86 of the Community Charter is lacking clarity as it relates to public notice requirements stated in Section 94.2; And whereas the document Alternative Approval Process: A Guide for Local Governments in British Columbia states that local governments may choose to allow electors to submit response forms by e-mail or by fax but provides no clear process or guidelines though noting that these electronic response forms are not covered by provincial legislation: Therefore be it resolv

Whereas public wharves and docks are critical transportation links for people, supplies, and emergency services in coastal communities, and there is a lack of coordinated provincial and federal priority setting and funding to support and maintain critical connectivity along BCs 25,000 kilometres of coastline; And whereas the federal government divested government wharves, and the responsibility for maintenance and management of public ports has fallen entirely on local taxpayers and nonprofit groups, and the provincial government does not have a ministry responsible for dealing with for th

Whereas public wharves and docks are critical transportation links for people, supplies, and emergency services in coastal communities, and there is a lack of coordinated provincial and federal priority setting and funding to support and maintain critical connectivity along BCs 25,000 kilometres of coastline; And whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining the roads leading to public ports and continues to approve subdivision applications for water-only access residential developments; And whereas evolving transportation technology and climate

Whereas transportation costs can serve as significant barrier to mobility for many British Columbian seniors, and this barrier can contribute to social isolation and adversely affect mental and physical well-being; And whereas removing barriers to seniors using transit encourages a shift towards more sustainable transportation, helping lower emissions and reducing congestion, while simultaneously increasing affordability, access to essential services, social inclusion, health, and well-being: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to make all public transit fr

Whereas implementation of the Provinces Homes for People plan, designed to accelerate housing development and population growth, will increase pressures on local governments to provide transit services necessary to develop and support new housing; And whereas local government transit service deficits may pose barriers to the development of attainable housing: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urges the Province, as part of their housing funding initiatives, to provide funding to local governments for transit services integral to the development of attainable housing.

Whereas private highway contractors primarily aim to generate profit, which can lead to compromised safety and quality in highway construction and maintenance; And whereas the essential goal of highway management should be to prioritize public safety and infrastructure integrity over financial gains; And whereas recent evidence suggests that highways under private management are experiencing deteriorating conditions, posing risks to public safety and transportation efficiency: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call for the re-establishment of public management of highway contracts to pr

Whereas the provincial government offers grant funding to support the development of active transportation network planning and infrastructure, based on local governments contributing between 20 and 50 of project costs; And whereas a local governments required contribution to an active transportation infrastructure project can far exceed a small communitys financial capacity: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government fund 100 of the cost of active transportation network planning and infrastructure projects for communities with a population of less than 15

Whereas BC local governments face significant capital funding challenges in delivering new active transportation infrastructure, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide lowercost transportation options to BC residents, bring economic and health benefits to BC communities, and increase resilience of transportation networks, as demonstrated by similar investments in other jurisdictions; And whereas the Government of BC has invested over 40 million since 2014 to fund new active transportation infrastructure, has committed an additional 30 million to fund active transportation i