Opportunities for members to give feedback, have input, participate in advisory groups, and more.
The Ministry of Infrastructure has launched an engagement portal to collect feedback on the implementation of the Infrastructure Projects Act. The deadline for feedback on the topic of ‘Provincially Significant Projects’ is September 30. Feedback on the ‘Qualified Professional Reliance Model’ and the ‘Expediated Environmental Assessment Process’ will occur in the fall/winter of 2025/2026.
Senior and technical local government staff and elected officials are encouraged to attend a BC government webinar on proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) on August 12, 9am – noon PDT. Register in advance to ensure you receive an information package from the Ministry of Forests beforehand.
The Ministry of Attorney General in BC is developing a proposal regarding prompt payment in the construction sector.
Earlier this year, the provincial government launched a health authority review with the goal of ensuring that resource allocations are supporting critical patient services, and that resources support front-line patient care.
UBCM is gathering input from members for the review. Local governments work closely with health authorities on issues such as pre-hospital care, regional hospital districts, and the recruitment and retention of health care professionals.
The Province has provided additional details about engagement activities to inform its review of the CleanBC climate action plan. The review will evaluate the effectiveness of CleanBC policies and programs, examine progress toward B.C.’s emissions reduction targets, and recommend areas for improvement. The Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions is encouraging Local governments and other interested parties to share their experience with CleanBC.
BC’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch is considering changes to two areas of cannabis regulation: market controls and sales at events. Local governments will have received a discussion paper from LCRB, with background information, questions for consideration and an invitation to schedule a meeting to discuss these issues by August 1, 2025.
UBCM has provided a submission to the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety in B.C. The submission outlines several issues for the Commission’s consideration as it examines measures respecting public security and safety at community events. The Commission was established on May 7, 2025, following the tragic events that took place during the April 26th Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver.
The Province is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding its ‘Liquor to Go’ policy, which allows certain businesses to sell liquor for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for takeout or delivery. Local governments are invited to provide their input on this policy by responding to a provincial engagement paper by August 7, 2025.
The Province’s review of its CleanBC climate action plan, launched in May, is seeking feedback from local governments and other interested parties.
The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is seeking local government feedback on possible amendments to closed meeting provisions in the local government legislation. Two webinars in June will provide information about the possible amendments, and an opportunity for local governments to provide feedback.
The potential amendments would expand the circumstances in which local government board and council meetings can be closed to the public, including some circumstances specifically relevant to local government-First Nation relations.