Whereas rural and resource-based communities continue to be a significant economic driver in both rural and urban areas across British Columbia; And whereas communities throughout British Columbia are experiencing job losses and heightened economic challenges arising from trade uncertainties, and provincial legislation and policies that disproportionately affect resource industries such as forestry, mining, energy, and aquaculture; And whereas these communities are integral to the provincial economy, contributing substantially to British Columbias GDP, employment, and export revenues, while sustaining the economic vitality of urban centres through interconnected supply chains, workforce migration, and complementary industries; And whereas current provincial decision-making processes frequently lack adequate representation and consultation with rural and resource-based communities, leading to policies that may inadvertently jeopardize the sustainability, cohesiveness and resilience of these regions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to formally recognize the critical economic contributions of rural and resource-based communities and to ensure their meaningful inclusion in the development of legislation, regulations, and economic strategies that impact resource industries by: - Prioritizing economically viable access to resources; - Supporting innovation within each sector to foster sustainable growth and enhance competitiveness; - Actively engaging with each resource sector and its stakeholders to comprehensively understand their unique challenges and opportunities; - Taking decisive action to amend policies and legislation based on the unique challenges and opportunities identified; and - Removing restrictive legislation on resource sector industries.
