Publishing Date
Last week we published the UBCM 2025 Annual Report, in conjunction with the Resolutions Book. The Annual Report covers highlights from the year past, and the Resolutions Book includes the suggested priorities members will consider this September to form UBCM policy going forward.
Highlights from the 2024-25 fiscal year include:
- The fall provincial election provided an opportunity for UBCM to connect with each major party about local government priorities. The three issues we centred were: housing and homelessness; infrastructure; and climate action and emergency management.
- The trade war has caused considerable uncertainty for local governments. To help measure the real potential for impact and evaluate fiscal responses, UBCM commissioned Oxford Economics to analyze the macroeconomic impact of escalating tariffs on GDP, employment, trade, manufacturing and more.
- Local governments across the country are experiencing a time where powers are being centralized to provincial and federal governments. This continues to show up in housing regulation as the Province implements its Housing Supply Act with housing targets for local governments. Federally, the new government has proposed reducing development charges. UBCM continues to press both governments for a collaborative approach to solving the affordable housing crisis.
- Signed a Relationship Protocol with the First Nations Leadership Council last fall which affirms our collective commitment to promote dialogue and build relationships between local governments and First Nations.
- Signed a new MOU with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation which commits the Province to consult directly with affected local governments on negotiations with First Nations, and includes an implementation plan to ensure adequate engagement.
- Launched the first Strategic Priorities Fund intake under the renewed CCBF agreement, which makes as much as $7 million available for local governments to regionally significant, innovative legacy projects.
- Administered $93.8 million in funding through Local Government Program Services through a dozen programs ranging from emergency services, asset management, C2C forums, and more.