Whereas UBCM endorsed resolution 2015-A3 calling for the provincial government to provide the resources necessary to inspect and enforce provincial safety regulations, including the Fire Services Act and its regulations, through either the Office of the Fire Commissioner or the BC Safety Authority rather than downloading the responsibility for local governments to enforce Provincial rules; And whereas no decision has been made by the Province despite significant opposition, particularly by regional districts, regarding the proposed changes to the Fire Safety Act that would require enforcement by local governments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to expedite the enactment of legislation requiring provincial safety regulations to be enforced by the Office of the Fire Commissioner or the BC Safety Authority rather than pursuing options to download the responsibility for inspections and enforcement of provincial regulations on local governments.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Currently under the Fire Services Act, only municipalities in British Columbia have to meet obligations regarding legislative and regulatory requirements for fire inspection regimes. In 2018, the Province communicated the objective to have a single standard for fire safety in all regions of British Columbia, including Regional Districts. The new Fire Safety Act, which received Royal Assent in 2016 but is not currently in force, in its current form places requirements on Regional Districts to undertake fire inspection and compliance monitoring regimes similar to that of municipalities. UBCM has made clear the concerns raised by Regional Districts regarding the costs of initiating, implementing, and managing an ongoing fire inspection and compliance program. The Province recognizes and understands that this new direction is a change for Regional Districts that was not previously contemplated. Therefore, the Office of the Fire Commissioner OFC has been directed to engage in discussions with the Fire Services Working Group of UBCM to determine the potential impacts of any new requirements on Regional Districts. The OFC continues to review and consider available information and work towards developing a plan moving forward that mitigates the important concerns raised while meeting the objective of improving fire safety in all communities in British Columbia.