Publishing Date
Last week mayors, chairs, elected chiefs and CAOs joined with Minister Bowinn Ma in a conference call regarding Bill 15, Infrastructure Projects Act. The call provided an opportunity for the Province to provide information about the Bill and respond to questions.
The meeting followed a week of opposition to Bill 15 from local governments, First Nations, opposition MLAs, environmental groups and more, concerning the powers it provides to the provincial cabinet, and lack of meaningful consultation prior to the drafting of the legislation.
Local government concerns continue to be featured in several news stories:
- Canadian Press interviewed UBCM President Trish Mandewo to hear local government reaction to the conference call with Minister Ma.
- UBCM President Trish Mandewo told Global News "You don't have to twist local government arms to say, 'you need hospitals, you need schools… It's how they're going about it that's problematic."
- CBC reported on the unified opposition against Bill 15, citing President Mandewo’s request for the province to pause further action on the Bill
- The Vancouver Sun covered the start of the debate on the Bill
Bill 15 moved into committee May 14, and is slated to come to a final vote before the current legislative session ends on May 29.