Policy Areas
On January 25, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding on Local Government Financial Resiliency (MOU) was signed between UBCM and the Ministries of Finance and Municipal Affairs, focused on addressing the 20 recommendations within the 2021 UBCM Ensuring Local Government Financial…
In June 2021, the provincial government passed the Accessible BC Act . As part of this legislation, there will be key actions in four different areas in years 1 - 10 of implementation:
1. Culture change. There will be an emphasis on ongoing awareness; and working closely with…
New Options for Residential Flexibility in the ALR
In January 2020, the Minister of Agriculture announced that the Province is considering a new direction for residential flexibility for ALR land owners. The allowance for both a principal residence and a small secondary…
UBCM, primarily through the Cannabis Policy Technical Working Group, is engaged on a number of key policy issues affecting local governments.
Child care is a new and emerging area for local governments. From 2018-2021, UBCM offered two child care funding programs to better understand local child care needs and to develop new child care spaces in their communities. The Community Child Care Planning program provides…
UBCM has released its recommendations on how British Columbia's local governments can move towards a low-carbon future.
Special Committee on Climate Action Recommendations (Nov 2020)
The British Columbia Court of Appeal (BCCA) decision on conflict of interest in Schlenker v. Torgrimson has introduced a number of considerations for staff and elected officials when determining when elected officials may be in a conflict of interest contrary to provisions of…
UBCM has developed a best practices guide to assist local governments in the development of fair and equitable remuneration polices for elected officials. The guide responds to a resolution (B148) endorsed at the 2018 UBCM convention. In recognition of local government autonomy…
DRIPA webinar
On April 21, 2022, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, in partnership with UBCM, led a webinar providing guidance on the Declaration Act for local governments. The session also featured a presentation from the City of Prince George on examples of reconciliation in…
The BC government has been granted an exemption by Health Canada from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize the possession of certain illegal drugs. This is one of the approaches by the provincial government to address the ongoing toxic poisoning crisis. The…