Opportunities for members to give feedback, have input, participate in advisory groups, and more.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit is considering changes to the BC Motor Vehicle Act to improve transportation safety and affordability, and is inviting local governments to participate in an informal working group.
Priority areas include:
Local governments and UBCM First Nations members are invited to attend a virtual town hall hosted by the Honourable Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, and the Honourable Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests on Tuesday, February 3, from 1–2 pm, PST. The Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat (part of the Office of the Premier) has emailed invitations, including a registration link, directly to UBCM members.
The provincial government has announced postponement of proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) that had originally been anticipated for spring 2026. In a November 2025 report submitted to the Ministry of Forests on proposed changes to the HCA, UBCM conveyed members’ overwhelming support for a pause to legislative development to allow for face-to-face consultation.
UBCM is seeking one local government representative to fill a vacancy on the Province’s Advisory Committee on Provincial Policing Standards. Given the technical nature of the issues that the committee will be considering, UBCM is looking to nominate one local government staff member. Interested individuals are asked to contact Bhar Sihota, UBCM Senior Policy Analyst, by February 6, 2026.
UBCM’s request for an extended submission period has been approved by the select standing committee. Local governments and public now have until January 6, 2026 to submit comments to the committee which is tasked with reviewing the private member’s bill, Professional Reliance Act. The deadline was originally December 2, 2025.
Submissions can be made online directly to the committee.
UBCM members overwhelmingly support a pause to legislative development to allow for
face to face consultation.
MLA George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Transit, has brought forward a private member’s bill that would apply a professional reliance model to local approvals. If passed, this legislation would require that, with limited exceptions, local governments accept submissions certified by registered professionals including engineers and architects as meeting permit or bylaw requirements. UBCM was not consulted on this legislation before its introduction and has significant concerns with the proposed approach that would erode local approval authorities.
The Ministry of Environment and Parks is proposing changes to fees under the Environmental Management Act, aiming to update and clarify costs for services provided by the ministry for site remediation and waste discharge authorization application and annual base charges.
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) is seeking feedback from local governments on proposed changes to key environmental regulations and permitting processes related to the management of water, riparian areas and wetlands. The Ministry will host a series of virtual engagement sessions and online surveys to share additional information and solicit input.
The provincial government’s consultation period for over 50 proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) has been extended until November 14. UBCM has developed a process for local government engagement and will contract with Randy Diehl (Diehl Management Services) to support its delivery. The engagement with local governments will include a survey of CAOs, follow up interviews with select staff, and webinars with elected officials to share preliminary findings.