As part of Budget 2026, the Province of BC has announced $15 million in funding to support the FireSmart Community Funding & Supports (FCFS) program. The additional funds will support the 2026 Winter/Spring closed intake.
When the transition from an open intake to a closed,…
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In Budget 2026, the Province indicated that it would be slowing delivery of its housing commitments, and reallocating $1.4 billion from its housing strategy. On further inquiry UBCM learned that some of that the reallocation is coming from the Community Housing Fund, cancelling…
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Budget 2026 expanded the Provincial Sales Tax to apply to a range of professional services, such as accounting, bookkeeping, architectural, engineering and geoscience services – increasing costs for local governments that depend on them. The PST on architectural, engineering and…
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The agenda for the Electoral Area Directors’ Forum is now live. Topics for discussion include social media, code of conduct, emergency management, the Heritage Conversation Act and more.
The Forum will be held March 10-11 (Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning) …
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The preliminary program for the 2026 LGLA Leadership Forum taking place in Richmond, March 11–13, is now available.
The Leadership Forum brings together elected officials and senior staff from local governments and First Nations to strengthen the leadership practices that…
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Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey introduced a budget earlier today that increases government spending by $3.9 billion and projects deficits of $13.3 billion, $12.2 billion, and $11.4 billion over the next three fiscal years.
The budget revealed the Province’s plan to slow the…
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UBCM’s board members extend their deepest condolences to the residents of Tumbler Ridge in the wake of the shootings at its high school yesterday. We join all British Columbians today in sorrow for those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and for the trauma…
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Last week UBCM announced changes to the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program as funding runs low. UBCM is calling on the Province for sustained funding for the essential program. UBCM President Cori Ramsay spoke to CBC about how this funding program has …
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Each month, we provide an update on funding programs administered by UBCM along with and information on other programs, events, and resources of interest to local governments and First Nations. Most of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund 2025-26 intakes are now open.
Local…
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A letter from RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald to mayors and CAOs is once again reminding local governments to plan and forecast for financial impacts, including retroactive costs, associated with RCMP collective bargaining. This letter comes following discussion by the…