Whereas local governments, often on the front lines, bear the brunt of addressing shared crises such as climate issues, housing affordability, inequality, public health, and infrastructure challenges; And whereas the burden on local governments has intensified due to provincial shortcomings in fulfilling their responsibilities, leaving many local governments grappling with insufficient revenue sources, resulting in an over reliance on regressive property taxation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to promptly fulfill its responsibilities in providing health care, including mental health care, as well as social services and the management of criminal rehabilitation through correctional facilities; And be it further resolved that in the absence of immediate provincial action, UBCM advocate for a comprehensive and immediate review of local government taxation and revenue sources recognizing the pivotal role of local governments, which, despite these being provincial responsibilities, are left to deal with the repercussions without adequate support from the Province.
Ministry of Finance Local governments are essential partners in creating strong, resilient BC communities where all can thrive. In Budget 2025, the Province made significant investments to strengthen mental health and addictions services throughout BC: 500 million in new funding over three years for addictions treatment and recovery programs that are underway. These include Road to Recovery, Foundry, secure care, supports for children and youth, and Indigenous-led treatment, recovery, and aftercare services. With Budget 2025, the Province is investing a further 325 million in new funding over three years to provide housing options for people living outdoors and resolve encampments, to address public safety concerns about robbery, shoplifting and other property crimes, to provide more resources to law enforcement to fight crime, and to build capacity in the legal system to ensure timely access to justice and to continue to support other public safety programs. This includes new funding of 24 million to help improve timely access to justice, including improved capacity at the BC Supreme Court and enhanced security at the Vancouver Provincial Court at 222 Main Street in Vancouver. It will also continue the expansion of virtual bail, improving access to justice and community safety. This Province also understands that even with these actions, local governments struggle to raise sufficient revenue from property taxes to address the infrastructure and service delivery needs of their communities. A Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2022 between the Province and UBCM continues to provide for a forum to discuss the fiscal challenges facing local governments and seek solutions that respond to shared priorities.