Wednesday Session Descriptions

Presenters: 

• Avery Kelly, Director of Partnerships, Office of Mass Timber
• Annabelle Hamilton, Technical Manager, Canadian Wood Council, WoodWorks BC 
• Tim Ryce, Chief Building Official, City of North Vancouver 

Details: Local governments are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, development pressure, and a changing economic landscape.  Mass timber is a low-carbon building technology that can reduce construction-related community impacts and timelines, while supporting B.C.’s forestry, manufacturing, construction, and design services sectors—a multisolving tool for issues facing our province. By developing mass timber friendly land use plans, zoning bylaws, and approval processes, local governments can help unlock mass timber’s benefits for British Columbians.  

This session will highlight and discuss provincial policy guidance for mass timber, presented by the B.C. Office of Mass Timber Implementation, the technical rationale behind this guidance, presented by Woodworks BC and the City of North Vancouver’s experience promoting/approving mass timber development. Join this session to learn how to become a mass timber friendly community.

Presenters: 

• Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director, Squamish CAN 
• Sarah McJannet, Manager of Community Planning, District of Squamish
• Claire Dewar, Senior Planner, Squamish Lillooet Regional District

Details:  As communities across B.C. face increasing pressures on food access, affordability, and sustainability, local, regional governments are uniquely positioned to lead transformative change. This session explores how municipalities can strengthen local food systems through robust policy development, strategic planning, and practical implementation. Drawing on real-world examples, panelists will share how food and agriculture initiatives—such as land use tools, procurement policies, and school meal programs—are being integrated into broader planning frameworks to improve community well-being. Learn how effective, place-based governance can reduce reliance on external food systems, increase resilience, and support long-term food security. Whether your community is urban or rural, large or small, this session offers actionable insights for delegates looking to chart a more sustainable, food-secure future.

Presenter: 

• Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children and Youth
• Pippa Rowcliffe, Deputy Representative for Children and Youth 

Details:  What we see on our streets, including addiction, trauma, and disconnection, often begins long before adulthood. Every person in crisis today was once a child full of potential. As B.C.’s independent voice for young people, the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) uses data, stories, and public reporting to hold government accountable for meaningful change.

In this session, RCY will share what we are learning from our advocacy, monitoring, and systemic work, including what young people are telling us. We will discuss how early investment in belonging, safety, and connection changes outcomes, and how local governments can better serve families in their communities. This interactive session will include experiences and insights from our work throughout the province and practical ideas for local action. Strong communities invest early and create the conditions for young people to thrive.

Presenters:

• Jordan Bennett, Director, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth 

Details: Through engagement with UBCM participants, Ease of Doing Business seeks solutions to address challenges and barriers raised by entrepreneurs, business owners and the business community.  Stronger business environments start with shared solutions – your insights can help shape smarter measures, better outcomes, and stronger communities.

Many of the challenges and barriers brought forward directly from businesses and industry associations can be tackled in collaboration with local government and First Nation partners.  Participants can advocate directly on provincial and regional policies and strategies.

This session will provide an update on milestones achieved to date, lessons learned and information on priorities which are important to businesses and economic development in your community.

Presenters:

• Gail Wallin, Executive Director, Invasive Species Council of BC 
• Loren Muth, Councillor, Tzeachten First Nation
• Sophie Dessureault, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
• Nadia Chan, Manager, Environment, City of Richmond

Details:  Invasive species are more than a nuisance. They increase wildfire risk, damage infrastructure, threaten biodiversity, and undermine efforts to enhance climate resilience. This session is designed for individuals who want to understand the real-world implications of invasive species on their communities and take proactive steps to mitigate risk and reduce costs. Through high-impact examples and a practical readiness checklist, participants will explore how invasive species intersect with key council priorities, including infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and livability. The session also highlights the importance of collaborating with local First Nations communities to enhance prevention and response efforts. Delegates will leave with strategic questions to bring into budget and planning discussions, and a clearer sense of how protected their community truly is.

• Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
• Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance
• Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food
• Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions

• Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs
• Josie Osborne, Minister of Health
• Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation

• Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
• Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests

Join communities across British Columbia for a presentation of the 2025 Climate & Energy Action Awards. Hosted by the Community Energy Association, these awards honour municipalities, regional districts, and Indigenous communities for their outstanding initiatives that have made significant, measurable impacts. In 2025 there was a record of 29 nominations! 

Be inspired by a diverse array of community climate action initiatives, ranging from innovative policies to groundbreaking projects. Get some ideas for your community and celebrate local climate leadership across BC.