Articles related to provincial and federal legislation that affects local governments.
UBCM recommends pilot projects to tap expertise of local governments, archaeologists, industry and First Nations
UBCM is pleased with the Province’s decision to rescind Bill M216, the Professional Reliance Act. We are also grateful to all of the local governments and professional organizations that took the time to share comments on the potential impacts of this Bill.
Local governments are here as partners to address the pressing issues that face communities across BC. In this spirit, we look forward to continued engagement with the Province on improving housing, public safety, and long-term sustainability of services.
The Province has introduced legislation that would establish a standard Code of Conduct for elected officials in BC. UBCM members have endorsed several resolutions calling for additional resources to support responsible conduct, including a mandatory Code of Conduct. The legislation also sets out a standard process for handling Code of Conduct complaints and strengthens the sanctions available to local governments.
The Ministry of Forests has released a Technical Policy Paper on the evolution of proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA). This paper reflects the next phase of engagement on proposed changes to the HCA as the Province moves towards legislative amendments in fall 2026.
Five years after a devastating wildfire destroyed 90 per cent of the Village of Lytton, the Office of the Auditor General has released its review of the Province’s role in the recovery efforts. A key finding is the lack of local government capacity and funding to address large-scale recovery operations and legislatively mandated duties.
The webinar with Ministry of Forests staff to update UBCM members on proposed legislative changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 2, 9:00 – 10:30 am.
UPDATE as of March 18: This webinar has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 2, 9:00 - 10:30 am. Those registered for March 20 have automatically been registered for April 2. The same registration link will be used.
Bill M216 Professional Reliance Act continues to move forward, despite the significant risks it would pose for public safety and liability issues. After passing second reading with unanimous NDP support, the Bill is now being considered at the Committee stage, where earlier today the NDP chair cast the deciding vote to defeat a Conservative motion that would have set the bill set aside.
In Budget 2026, the Province indicated that it would be slowing delivery of its housing commitments, and reallocating $1.4 billion from its housing strategy. On further inquiry UBCM learned that some of that the reallocation is coming from the Community Housing Fund, cancelling the current funding intake and indefinitely postponing future intakes as President Cori Ramsay told the Vancouver Sun.