Whereas local governments have not been consistently included as formal partners in provincial policy development related to archaeology processes and heritage legislation, despite being responsible for land-use planning, permitting, development approvals, and infrastructure projects, all of which are directly affected by provincial archaeology requirements and the Heritage Conservation Act and Regulations; And whereas the current Heritage Conservation Act is outdated, and the existing archaeology processes and legislation create uncertainty, delays, and cost impacts for local governments, infrastructure owners, developers, and the public, and these challenges will not be resolved with the proposed policy directions, which will further contribute to challenges in delivering affordable development and housing in British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of British Columbia to ensure that senior representatives of all local government associations in British Columbia are formally included in discussions and decision-making related to the review, reform, and implementation of heritage and archaeology processes, and any replacement or reform of the Heritage Conservation Act, and that all local governments are provided with meaningful and extensive opportunities to review and provide feedback on proposed changes.
