TILMA

WHEREAS in 2007 UBCM members endorsed a resolution and policy paper on TILMA, which directed UBCM to undertake negotiations with the Province to address 10 recommendations; AND WHEREAS negotiations concluded with a July 2008 agreement between the Province and the UBCM; AND WHEREAS some important issues were addressed, and the UBCM is to be commended for those achievements; AND WHEREAS, however, the Province refused to meaningfully negotiate on some issues of great concern; AND WHEREAS lack of movement on these issues means that, under TILMA: - Local governments will not have the right to defend their measures before dispute panels and must instead rely on the provincial government; - Above the procurement thresholds, local governments will not be able to procure locally; - Standards or regulations must be harmonized with Alberta, except with regard to business licences; - Local governments will not be exempted in their spheres of jurisdiction, except with regard to land use and some other specific exemptions; - Subsidies are prohibited THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the TILMA agreement, as negotiated erodes the ability of municipalities to enact or defend public policy they consider to be in the best interest of their communities; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposed agreement on TILMA reached between the UBCM Executive and the Province be referred back to the UBCM Executive for further negotiations and that a full report be submitted to the next UBCM Convention for ratification.