Whereas regional districts in British Columbia are responsible for providing only a limited number of mandated services, including emergency management for electoral areas, regional solid waste planning, and governance for electoral areas, as outlined in the Local Government Act; And whereas many small municipalities lack the financial and staff resources necessary to effectively undertake emergency planning and response, including the ability to operationalize an Emergency Operations Centre during a crisis, leaving them vulnerable during major emergencies or disasters: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to amend the Local Government Act and Community Charter, as necessary, to authorize regional districts to provide emergency planning and response services not only to electoral areas but also to member municipalities that choose to opt in, ensuring a centralized and coordinated approach to emergency management.
