Whereas the new provincial landfill gas regulations present disproportionate financial challenges for smaller local governments, exacerbating existing disparities in service delivery capacity; And whereas compliance costs, including infrastructure upgrades, specialized training, ongoing monitoring, and maintenance, represent a significant financial strain for communities with limited revenue streams: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to develop a sustainable funding model that recognizes the diverse financial capacities of local governments and provides targeted financial assistance to ensure equitable implementation of the landfill gas regulations across British Columbia.
Ministry of Environment and Parks The BC Landfill Gas Management Regulation LFGMR became effective on January 1, 2009, and applies to landfill sites that accepted Municipal Solid Waste for disposal into the landfill site on or after January 1, 2009. The LFGMR has not been amended since its implementation in 2009. The federal government, through the federal department of Environment and Climate Change Canada ECCC, has implemented new Landfill Methane Regulations LMRs that came into effect on December 12, 2025. The main objectives of the federal LMRs are to implement a consistent regulatory approach across Canada and increase the number of landfills taking action to reduce methane emissions. The new federal LMRs will impact landfill gas LFG management in BC, as landfills that are already regulated under the BC LFGMR will also need to meet new federal requirements that include additional requirements such as more monitoring for methane leaks. Given the recent announcement of the new federal LMR, the Province will be reviewing the current provincial LFGMR and determine the best regulatory approach moving forward. Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The ministry recognizes the challenges of smaller local governments in meeting updated regulatory requirements. Infrastructure upgrades are eligible costs under the Growing Communities Fund allocation, and under UBCM-administered Canada Community-Building Fund Community Works Fund. The province continues to advocate the federal government for bilateral funding programs to support local government infrastructure needs. Recognizing the challenges to local governments about increased service and infrastructure costs, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and UBCM are working to find ways to address cost drivers local governments may be experiencing.