Whereas local governments have primary responsibility for land use planning and decision-making and rely on timely, clear, and consistent engagement from the Province of British Columbia when decisions or discussions affect lands within local government boundaries; And whereas significant and precedent-setting court decisions related to land use in British Columbia, together with the provincial implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Heritage Conservation Act, have created uncertainty for property owners and local governments regarding provincial expectations, legal implications, and future land use considerations; And whereas a lack of early, coordinated, transparent, and ongoing communications with affected municipalities during and following such decisions has hindered local government planning processes and undermined public confidence in local and provincial governance: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to increase transparency by engaging directly with local governments when the province is involved in decisions, discussions, or policy developments affecting lands within local government boundaries to reduce uncertainty for local governments and the public.
