While the Area Association resolutions deadlines have passed, members can submit resolutions directly to UBCM by June 15. If you do so, please keep in mind the new framework that was adopted last year, which will ensure resolutions are: focused on new issues, within local government scope, province-wide in nature, and clearly written.
A preliminary review of resolutions submitted to Area Associations approved about 66% to be admitted for debate at UBCM Convention. Of the 44% that were flagged as not matching the framework, most were found to repeat existing policy. These results are not binding for Area Association meetings; they are meant to provide an indication of what resolutions will be accepted for the 2026 UBCM Convention.
Starting this year, all resolutions submitted to UBCM (either through Area Associations or direct to UBCM) that meet one or more of the following criteria will be excluded from consideration at Convention:
- Existing UBCM policy (policy for and policy against, within the last five years)
- Outside of the scope of BC local governments and member First Nations
- Does not meet UBCM criteria for format or clarity
- Regional in focus
The UBCM Resolutions Committee is committed to applying the new criteria fairly, objectively, and with equal consideration regardless of the size or capacity of the sponsoring member. In the interest of transparency, resolutions that are excluded by this criteria will still be shared in an appendix in the Resolutions Book.
Before drafting your 2026 resolutions, members are encouraged to:
- Review UBCM’s resolutions database for similar resolutions over the last five years.
- Consider if the issue is within local government or First Nations’ member scope.
- Consider if the issue is relevant for a wide segment of UBCM members outside your region. While regional issues may be appropriate for consideration at an Area Association convention, they will no longer be considered at the UBCM Convention.
- Refer to UBCM’s writing guidelines to ensure clarity and necessary format.
Should you have any questions about the application of the four new criteria, please contact Jamee Justason, Resolutions and Policy Analyst at jjustason@ubcm.ca