Policy Areas
In June 2021, the provincial government passed the Accessible BC Act which—among provincial requirements and a general focus on increasing awareness of accessibility—requires local governments to take action. Local governments are among over 750 public sector organizations…
Active transportation is an important feature of livable, healthy communities. In addition to administering funding for active transportation planning, UBCM was involved in a project called, Small Town Leaders in Active Transportation, which aimed to identify challenges related…
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 is engaged on a number of key policy issues related to cannabis and liquor that affect local governments, primarily through the Cannabis Policy Technical Working Group and Local Government Working Group on Liquor Policy.
Child care is an emerging area for local governments. In 2021, with funding from the provincial government, UBCM hired project consultants to develop a guide for local governments: Stepping Stones: Child Care Planning Guides for BC’s Local Governments.
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 guidance for local governments
In 2022 UBCM led a webinar with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to provide guidance for local governments on the Province's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The session also featured a presentation from the City of…
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…