Latest News

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The Province has introduced new legislation to address some issues created by pre-zoning large areas of BC communities for increased density. The new legislation addresses: inclusionary zoning; updates to the density bonus framework; providing local government with expanded…
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Last week, the Province introduced a series of amendments to the Police Act, including changes to police governance and oversight that will impact police boards and municipalities. The Province has advised that these amendments represent phase one of a multi-phase process to…
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A new four-year electric kick scooter pilot project started on April 5, 2024. Over four years, residents and visitors in participating communities can try using this emerging form of personal transportation. Local governments can join the pilot by passing a resolution and/or…
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New seismic hazard maps for Metro Vancouver have been developed, and local government planners from southwest BC are invited to attend a virtual engagement session on April 17. The session will be hosted by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in…
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The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is developing a new regulatory framework for decommissioning and closure of industrial projects in British Columbia. The framework aims to ensure that industrial projects, not British Columbians, plan and pay for…
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In advance of the 2024 Budget, the Federal Government has announced a significant series of housing-related measures including: a $6 billion infrastructure fund comprised of $1 billion for municipalities for urgent infrastructure needs, and $5 billion to Provinces and…
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Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and the National Police Federation, the union representing RCMP reservists and Members below the rank of Inspector will move to third-party binding arbitration, which is anticipated to occur in May 2024. TBS communicated this…
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Last week, the Province introduced From Flood Risk to Resilience: a B.C. Flood Strategy to 2035. The Flood Strategy outlines the Province’s direction for flood management, and includes 25 concepts to improve flood resilience. While the UBCM membership has consistently requested…
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  The Union of B.C. Municipalities intends to apply to the B.C. Supreme Court for intervenor status in a lawsuit brought against the Province of B.C. by the Harm Reduction Nurses Association challenging the legality of the Province’s Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal…
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SFU Renewable Cities, in collaboration with BC Housing and VanCity Community Foundation, is hosting an in-person workshop on Tuesday, May 7 in Vancouver to share practical information about redeveloping government- and non-profit-owned land to include housing. The event will…