Tuesday Session Descriptions

Presenters: 

• Adrienne Fedrigo, Electoral Area Director for Naramata, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
• Lisa Grant, General Manager, Development and Emergency Services, Regional District of Nanaimo
• Lexie Boekenkruger, Manager of Building Inspection Services, Regional District of Nanaimo
• Paul Brent, Electoral Area Director for the Southern Gulf Islands, Capital Regional District 
• Tobi Elliott, Director, Islands Trust Trustee Gabriola, Mudge, and DeCourcy Islands

Details: Many local governments are interested in learning how to safely regulate tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) as legal dwellings in their communities. As an accessory dwelling unit or primary dwelling, THOWs are challenging to regulate because they are designed to be both moveable and a dwelling for full time living. There has been a lack of consensus on which building/manufacturing standard is appropriate.

In September 2024, Islands Trust convened a technical working group of planners, building experts and tiny home industry representatives to develop options for a regulatory framework that could enable THOWs through appropriate certification, zoning, tenure, and servicing. Panel members will present their initial findings, barriers, potential models, and recommendations for next steps in this discussion. 

Presenter:

• Christina Benty, Former Mayor, Owner of Strategic Leadership Solutions Inc.

Details: Over the past year, the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs has been reviewing the existing responsible conduct tools available to local governments. Based on feedback from the responsible conduct discussion paper collected from local governments and other stakeholders, Ministry staff have prepared potential policies to help address ongoing conduct concerns. This session will explore the integration of different responsible conduct policies into the existing local government system, including the use of mandatory codes of conduct, enforcement mechanisms for those codes, and the clarification of mayoral powers.

Presenters:

• Sharon Karsten, Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar, Walk With Me / UVIC
• Susie Saunders, Director of Recreation, Culture and Community Services, City of Courtenay 
• Trevor Wideman, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Walk With Me 
• Christopher Hauschildt, Peer Researcher / Operations Coordinator, Walk With Me 

Details: As health and social crises reshape BC communities, municipal governments are increasingly called upon to respond to their complex local impacts. Walk With Me is a research and social change initiative in the Comox Valley that charts a new course for municipal engagement grounded in relationships and lived experience. In collaboration with the City of Courtenay, the project has mapped local social service networks, developed a strengths and gaps report, consulted with parks and recreation staff and facilitated dialogue with Mayor and Council. In this session, we present a concept sketch of change modalities tailored to municipal contexts. What do local governments need to support those most affected by crisis? Join us to explore alternative systems change models and chart a compassionate, collaborative path forward amidst rising crises.

Presenters:

• Jessie Adcock, FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver™ Host Committee Lead, City of Vancouver
• Kyle Todoruk, Senior Director, Marquee Sport Events Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
• Lisa Sweet, FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver™ Integrated Safety and Security Co-Lead, City of Vancouver
• Sandra Gage, Executive Director, Commercial Operations - FIFA World Cup 2026

Details: The FWC26 takes place June/July 2026 in 16 cities across Canada, United States and Mexico. Vancouver will host seven matches at BC Place Stadium and operate a Fan Festival at the PNE. Outside of Vancouver, public viewing events during FWC26 are an opportunity for municipalities to welcome visitors, unite communities, celebrate sport and create economic and tourism benefits.

The session will cover the application process for hosting FWC26 public viewing events, including opportunities, costs, risks and considerations (including liquor and cannabis licensing and safety and security), as well as expectations around FIFA and Provincial approvals, that will help municipalities as they consider submitting viewing requests to FIFA in Q4 2025. 

Presenters:

• Louise Pedersen, Executive Director, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
• Steve Fairbairn, Mayor, District of Elkford
• Jessie Olsen, Director of Community Economic Development, District of Tumbler Ridge
• John Hawkings, Executive Director, Ministry of Environment and Parks
• Matt Mosteller, Tourism Professional and Chair, Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise

Details:  Outdoor recreation is more than just a leisure activity; it’s a powerful driver of economic growth, community well-being, and resilience. This session will provide local governments with practical tools and inspiration to plan, manage, and leverage outdoor recreation in ways that strengthen both communities and economies.

In May 2025, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) released Outdoor Recreation for Community and Economic Development: A Guidebook for Rural British Columbia Communities, the first resource of its kind in the province. The guide outlines strategies, opportunities, and challenges that outdoor recreation presents, from boosting economic activity and promoting public health to addressing land-use pressures and managing user conflicts.

Participants will gain insights into proven approaches and real-world examples from across BC, and learn how to foster partnerships that make outdoor recreation a sustainable pillar of community development. By showcasing this guide at UBCM, we aim to equip local leaders with a resource they can share and apply in their own communities, helping to advance collaborative planning and effective recreation management throughout the province.

Details: Further details to come

Details: Further details to come

Presenters:

• Tamara White, Co-Executive Director, Small Housing
• James Moore, Department Manager, Housing & Policy Programs, City of Kelowna
• Jason Friesen, City Councillor / Sr. Manager of Sales & Strategic Partnerships, City of West Kelowna / Freeport Industries
• Carl Isaak, Director, Neighbourhood Planning and Urban Design, City of Burnaby, City of Burnaby
• Chris Woodcock, Director, Client Development and Government Relations, CMHC, CMHC

Details:  With zoning reforms now in motion, local governments face critical choices about how to respond, adapt, and lead. This session explores the next phase of gentle density—moving beyond policy to implementation. Panelists will discuss how councils can streamline permitting, support small-scale builders, unlock modular and low-carbon construction, and leverage public and non-profit land. We’ll also explore strategies to strengthen regional economic development, promote project equity, and address public concerns through community engagement and demonstration projects. This session offers practical tools and real-world examples to help elected officials shape outcomes that reflect local values and deliver housing solutions their communities can support. It’s not just about meeting mandates—it’s about  leading change on your terms.

Details:  Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to help local governments meet the growing demands for efficiency, responsiveness and transparency. From streamlining permitting processes, to optimizing emergency responses, to improving civic engagement, AI is increasingly changing the landscape of decision-making and governance. This session will explore how AI is being leveraged to enhance public services at the local level. It will highlight operational approaches, ethical considerations, and practical strategies to employing artificial intelligence that can help create smarter, more responsive local governments.

Presenters:

• Dale Bracewell, Principal, Mobility Foresight
• Mac Logan, General Manager of Infrastructure, City of Kelowna 
• Matthew Boyd, Director, Integrated Service Planning, BC Transit 
• Sandra Phillips, CEO, Modo Co-operative
• Brad Gerhart, Senior Legislative Director, Ministry of Transportation and Transit

Details:  The workshop will include two sessions exploring the theme of transportation options for local governments.

Session 1: Filling Gaps: Demand-Responsive Transit and Carshare

Across BC, smaller and rural communities face unique transportation challenges—from limited fixed-route coverage to tourism-related surges in demand. This session explores how shared mobility options—like demand-responsive transit (DRT), vanpools, and carsharing—can work alongside traditional transit to improve access, reduce costs, and support local climate and economic goals. Using real-world examples such as BC Transit’s DRT initiatives, UBC’s vanpooling program, and Kelowna’s municipal fleet integration with carsharing, panelists will share lessons on using existing assets more creatively.

Session 2: The BC Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project

New and emerging modes of personal mobility are becoming increasingly present on our roads. The BC Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project allows participating communities to test  electric kick scooter use onmunicipal roads and to support access to this affordable and    convenient mode of personal mobility. Ministry staff will provide information on the four-year pilot project and regulations, and discuss initial results from the first year.

Presenters:

• Alex Boston, Project Lead, ZEIC Local Government Offsite Housing Accelerator, Boston Consulting
• Kevin Weiler, General Manager, TAG Panels
• Michael Epp, Director, Housing Planning and Development, Metro Vancouver
• Ryan Smith, Divisional Director, Planning and Development Services, City of Kelowna
• Beth Veenkamp, Manager of Economic Development, City of Williams Lake
• Kevin Harding, Director, Innovation and Safety, Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs

Details:  Offsite construction is emerging as a top senior government solution to multiple problems. This interactive session explores local governments’ unique influence and needs in driving market transformation and supporting organizational priorities, including internal cost management.

Top innovators from diverse communities in key sectors—local and provincial government, industry and research––will share successes in driving growth in offsite manufactured,        affordable, resilient construction on three topics:

1. Development and building permitting
2. Multiplex and multi-family standardized housing designs
3. Local economic development

Presentations and a practical, quick start guide will prime discussion on these topics with     the question: “what can local governments do and what do local governments need to         expand  offsite housing construction?”

Delegate feedback will inform development of a local government offsite construction        playbook.

Details: The Community Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate UBCM members that have implemented projects and programs that demonstrate excellence in meeting the purposes of local government in BC. The awards are designed to profile promising practices and to create successful pathways and incentives for others to follow.

The categories are:

• Excellence in Governance
• Excellence in Service Delivery
• Excellence in Asset Management
• Excellence in Sustainability
• Presidents Committee Choice