Whereas local governments in British Columbia face increasing demands for essential services and infrastructure due to significant population growth, with the provinces population reaching an estimated 5,646,467 as of April 1, 2024, marking an annual growth rate of 3.3 - the highest since 1971; And whereas the primary revenue source for local governments, property taxes, is regressive and places a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, while the costs of infrastructure projects continue to rise at a rate that outpaces consumer inflation, making it increasingly difficult for local governments to meet community needs: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to establish a sustainable, recurring Growing Communities Fund to generate 1 billion annually through progressive taxation, distributed to local governments using the same formula as the 2022 fund, thereby providing equitable and sustainable financial support for local governments across the province.
