Local Government Awareness Week

• Whistler hosts a student council day in partnership with local elementary school classes. Students write a letter about one of council’s four strategic priorities to vie for a spot as one of Whistler’s seven council members at a mock meeting. It just so happens that community engagement is one of the four priorities, making this project a double win for students and council. The first piece of advice from Whistler’s team: contact teachers in September so there’s time to add it to the curriculum.
• Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District produced a video on Local Government Awareness Week in 2021.

Submit examples of promotional efforts being made by your community to share with the wider UBCM membership to Jamee Justason, jjustason@ubcm.ca or 604 270 8226 ext. 100.

Making life happen: career toolkit

The Local Government Management Association of BC has developed a website and toolkit to raise awareness of local governments and encourage younger Canadians to consider a municipal career.

Education Planner – BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

Education Planner is an educational planning resource designed to provide clear, reliable and detailed information about post-secondary programs available in BC. Users can search by job prospect and work backwards to find the education needed, or start with an area of interest and find possible jobs.

WorkBC

WorkBC hosts labour market information for people planning careers, job seekers, employers, service providers and researchers will all find information to help them navigate B.C.’s labour market. Jobs available in the Public Administration sector include local government employers.

Lesson plans for teachers: The Justice Education Society has created lesson plans that align with BC’s social studies curriculum to enhance education on law, justice, government, and citizenship. Two lessons are particularly focused on local governments: Levels of Government (Grade 5), and Leaders in our Community (K-3) 

Local Government in BC: A Community Effort (2015): This booklet provides an overview of local government in BC in an easy to read, colourful, illustrated format. Perfect for newly elected officials, the general public, schools or presentations.

Local Government in British Columbia (2008): A complete primer on all levels of local government—cities, towns, villages, regional districts, and school districts—this text examines how each government works and its role in our society. Local Government in British Columbia raises some important questions, i.e.: how effectively does your community manage its water supply, road construction or fire department?

Local Government Agencies

• Union of BC Municipalities
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs
• Local Government Management Association
• CivicInfo BC
• BC School Trustees Association
• Asset Management BC
• BC Local Government Directory