Thursday Session Descriptions

Presenters:

• Sav Dhaliwal, Councillor, City of Burnaby
• Andréanne Doyon, Associate Professor, SFU Planning Program (Advisor for            Burnaby Community Assembly)
• Susan Kim, Councillor, City of Victoria
• Nadine Nakagawa, Councillor, City of New Westminster
• Robin Prest, Director of Democratic Participation and Innovation, Simon Fraser          University's Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue

Details:  In an era of increased polarization, strained public trust and scarce resources, Community Assemblies offer a powerful engagement tool for complex issues such as housing, land use, transportation and governance. Building upon a recent surge in the use of Assemblies in BC, this session will explore how Assemblies can support the work of local governments by fostering empathy, building consensus and navigating real-world policy constraints. Participants will examine what makes Assemblies stand out from other forms of participation by using civic lotteries to engage the broad diversity of the community, building in time to learn and develop recommendations, and closing the loop so that the community feels heard. Join us for this interactive session and come prepared to discuss how you can apply the Community Assembly model in your context.

Presenters:

• Kate Segall, Chair of the Board / Director / Co-Chair, Cowichan Valley Regional, Cowichan Valley Regional District / Electoral Area A – Mill Bay/Malahat /Cowichan Watershed Board
• Tricia Brett, Co-Chair, City of Lake Country / Okanagan Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table
• Silas White, Mayor, Town of Gibsons
• Rheanne Kroschinsky, Watershed Ecosystems Project - Peachland Watershed Governance Development, University of British Columbia, Okanagan
• Oliver Brandes, Co-Director, POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, based at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies (CFGS)
• Coree Tull, Chair, BC Watershed Security Coalition

Details:  Across BC, momentum is building for local watershed solutions. In the face of increasing drought, wildfire, floods, source water degradation, and economic uncertainty, communities are stepping up to lead. More local governments are walking alongside First Nations, forming partnerships to advance shared water priorities.

With provincial commitments to advance shared watershed governance and the Watershed Security Fund, there is an opportunity to shape a made-in-B.C. model of local watershed boards that support community- driven watershed planning, management and governance.

Hear from elected leaders and policy experts about their experience advancing shared watershed governance in their communities, how your community can get started, what’s still needed, and how local watershed boards can drive solutions to community water challenges in partnerships with First Nations.

Presenters:

• Chris Bodnar, Assistant Professor, University of the Fraser Valley
• Kim Grout, CEO, BC Agricultural Land Commission
• Danielle Synotte, Executive Director, BC Agriculture Council

Details:  Local governments across British Columbia are often called upon to manage competing pressures, including the demand for more housing and greater economic productivity but also the need to preserve farmland for future generations. This session will highlight some of these challenges as well as best practices that could help communities manage the pressures around agricultural land. Together with engaging speakers from industry, academia, and the Agricultural Land Commission, participants will have the opportunity to critically explore some of the tools available for balancing these interests in an increasingly land constrained province.

Details:

This session will invite dialogue between the Archaeology Branch and Local Government Representatives regarding Heritage Conservation Act permitting, particularly about ways to navigate the regulatory system while balancing local government needs with those of       meaningful consultation and reconciliation.

Expected outcomes of the session include:

• Participants will leave the sessions with an enhanced understanding of Heritage         Conservation Act and its applications in BC.
• Participants will have increased knowledge about available tools and resources that can support decision making in land use planning.

Presenters:

• Sandra Mayo, Manager of Risk Management Services, Municipal Insurance Association of BC
• Ryan Moreside, Wildfire Mitigation Program Coordinator, FireSmart BC
• Danyta Welch, Manager, Local Government Program Services, UBCM
• Don Lidstone, Senior Partner, Lidstone & Company
• Paul Gipps, CAO, District of Lake Country

Details:  As wildfire risks grow, local governments play a vital role in community resilience. This session equips elected officials with practical tools to reduce wildfire vulnerability using FireSmart principles, available FireSmart funding, and Wildfire Development Permit Area (DPA) bylaws. Learn how to champion FireSmart integration in land use decisions, access funding to support mitigation efforts, and adopt effective bylaws that reflect your community’s needs. Real-world examples will highlight how local leadership can drive meaningful change.

Entry to the UBCM Reception and Banquet requires a ticket. If you have already paid for the UBCM Banquet, please bring your delegate name badge for entry. To purchase tickets, please inquire regarding availability at the Delegate Services Desk. 

Awards

Life Memberships, Long Service, and Special Long Service awards will be presented at the Banquet.

Entertainment

This year’s banquet entertainment will be an evening with music performed by Piano Music by Sharon during dinner, followed by a fun evening of dance with The Hit List Band.