Current Issues

Heritage Conservation Act

In September 2025, UBCM called on the Province to slow down on the roll out of proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act to allow time for proper consultation. A six-week extension allowed for a swift engagement with UBCM members, via a comprehensive survey and virtual meetings. The collected feedback was shared with the Ministry of Forests in November.

Submission to the Ministry of Forests on Proposed Changes to the Heritage Conservation Act

Local governments have long recognized the need for changes to the Heritage Conservation Act and its management, which governs the handling of over 64,000 known archeological sites in BC, and chance finds during residential or infrastructure construction. Local governments value and support the protection of archeological sites through legislation and recognize the role the Act plays in supporting reconciliation.
During the Province’s preliminary consultation in 2022-2023, local governments signalled concern with the costs associated with archeological management and the inefficiency of the permitting process, which often leads to extensive delays in development and construction. Following that preliminary consultation period, the proposed changes to overhaul the Act were co-developed by the Province and Indigenous leaders through the Joint Working Group on First Nations Heritage Conservation over a two-year period. Local governments were provided an overview of the proposed changes by the Province during a webinar in August 2025 and invited to provide comments to a provincial email address. UBCM’s concerns with this approach resulted in the extended consultation period.
- November 13, 2025 Time needed for the Province to get Heritage Conservation Act right
- October 15, 2025 Heritage Conservation Act webinars for elected officials
- October 3, 2025 UBCM to lead Heritage Conservation Act consultation
- September 26, 2025 Heritage Conservation Act: Update on proposed changes
- September 24, 2025 Province pauses Heritage Conservation Act changes
- September 24, 2025 UBCM calls on Province to pause Heritage Conservation Act changes for proper consultation

US Tariffs and the Trade War

The trade war caused considerable uncertainty for local governments. UBCM commissioned two resources to our members with the information they need in order to respond.

A macroeconomic analysis of the likely impact to our economy from high tariffs, with various scenarios and data at industry and community levels.
A legal bulletin for local governments on adjusting procurement policies to support a "buy Canadian" commitment.

UBCM contracted Oxford Economics to develop modelling of the potential impacts of the United States’ approach to applying tariffs to Canadian goods. The report studies both the national impacts of the tariffs along with those unique to British Columbia. It also models the impact of stimulus infrastructure funding from the federal and provincial governments. Our modelling shows that stimulus funding could blunt some of the economic impacts and job losses anticipated with the trade war.
Full report from Oxford Economics:

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UBCM presentation to Area Associations:

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Local governments are looking for guidance about potential amendments to their procurement policies in response to tariffs imposed by the United States. Some are considering "buy Canadian" policies, while others may be considering policies which exclude US suppliers from consideration. UBCM commissioned a report from our solicitor that outlines general information for local governments to consider when making such amendments.

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