Latest News

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The UBCM Executive held its first, quarterly board meeting on November 21-22, 2019. The Executive’s sub-committees also met to set priorities and work plans for the coming year. Executive members adopted goals and priorities, and received delegations from the Minister of…
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The Province has updated the B.C. Building Code to enable construction of 12-storey wood buildings and to allow secondary suites in side-by-side multi-family buildings. The Building Code updates also include additional safety requirements and new Energy Step Code…
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Provincial funding is available to provide emergency management personnel with cultural safety and cultural humility training in order to effectively partner with and provide safe and respectful assistance to Indigenous communities during times of emergency. The deadline for…
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The UBCM Special Committee on Climate Action held its third meeting on November 13th, which focussed on mitigation efforts at the local level. BC Hydro presented on the BC Energy Step Code, and the lessons learned on the role that local governments could take in tackling the…
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Safety at rail crossings is a responsibility shared between the railway, the road authority, and individuals. Local governments that serve as the road authority have a responsibility to ensure snow removal operations are performed safely around railway crossings. Proper snow…
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The Province is developing a Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.  In response to record wildfires, extreme weather, increased drought and more frequent flooding, BC is looking to develop policies and…
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The Ministry of Children and Family Development has provided funding for the development of a local government child care planning resource guide. UBCM will manage the project, and aims to have the guide ready by early summer 2020. The guide is intended to support local…
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Long-serving UBCM staff member Frank Storey passed away on November 5, 2019. Mr. Storey was a member of the Union of BC Municipalities staff for nearly 30 years as a local government advisor and research officer. He retired in 2005 and was awarded a UBCM Life membership for his…
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Following a series of meetings with the Province and relevant stakeholders, UBCM has provided correspondence to Minister Mike Farnworth re-affirming its support for a 911 call answer levy (CAL) on cellular devices. UBCM’s support is based in part on an understanding that…
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With the goal of increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments, Community to Community (C2C) Forum events are intended to provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve…