Latest News

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With sadness we mark the sudden passing of Helen Poon, a former Port Alberni councillor who served on the UBCM Executive as a director at large in 2019-2020. Helen was visiting friends in New Zealand over the holiday when she died from a car crash.   Helen was an energetic…
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The newly released 2024 UBCM Calendar has incorrectly noted the date of Local Government Awareness Week as May 19-25. The correct date is May 12-18, 2024; Asset Management Awareness Day is Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Please mark the correct date on any physical 2024 UBCM calendars…
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Immediately following the Electoral Area Directors Forum is the 2024 LGLA Forum, January 31-February 2 in Richmond. The program aims to inspire, empower and connect local government and First Nations elected officials, and senior staff. Registration is open until January 29, or…
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The third intake of the Connecting Communities BC (CCBC) funding program opened for applications on Jan 8, 2024. Through CCBC, the Province aims to provide high-speed internet access to all remaining underserved households and First Nation communities by 2027. This intake…
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Through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Province has adopted a distinctions-based approach to relationships with Indigenous Peoples (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) to advance reconciliation. This means BC’s relations and dealings with First Nations,…
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The Province is hosting a series of webinars for local government staff to support implementation of Bills 44 (small scale multi-unit housing, planning reforms), 46 (development finance), and 47 (transit-oriented areas). Each webinar will include a presentation of technical…
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The provincial government has released its summary of the 2023 provincial wildfire season, confirming the record-setting level of destruction. This season saw more than 2.84 million hectares burned across BC, which is more than double the area of forest and land that was burned…
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The provincial government has announced $18 million in short-term funding for local governments and First Nations to address new consultation and collaboration responsibilities outlined in the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act.  UBCM and its members have advocated for a…
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The Province has issued guidelines, policy manuals, and regulations to implement Bill 35 – Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, Bill 44 – Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act and Bill 47 – Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act. Links to…
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Applications will be accepted for the 2024 intake of the Local Government Development Approvals program from January 1 until March 8. This program will support the implementation of established best practices and test innovative approaches to improve development approval…