2021

Whereas Bill 18 - 2018 amended the Local Government Act LGA to require all local governments to complete Housing Needs Reports by April 2022, and every five years thereafter; And whereas all local governments will have differing access to resources to undertake Housing Needs Report updates, and differing requirements or use for this information; And whereas promoting sprawling residential development into rural areas contradicts sustainable planning principles: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask British Columbia to amend the Local Government Act, Division 22, Section 585.11 to mak

Whereas effectively addressing housing on a regional scale requires a collaborative effort between regional municipalities and regional districts; And whereas since the provincial government mandated regional housing assessments must be completed every 5 years it is more important than ever that local governments are supported financially so they can implement these mandates: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to work with UBCM and local governments to develop and implement a consistent and sustainable funding model for municipalities and regional districts for the i

Whereas there is insufficient attainable housing availability for those who seek to live and work in many communities; And whereas the Province of British Columbia has acknowledged the lack of attainable housing as a Housing Crisis; And whereas there is both a great need for, and lack of, housing for various personnel such as Royal Canadian Mounted Police and medical staff in communities in BC; And whereas the cost and availability of housing is prohibitive for needed personnel that would otherwise move for work: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Co

Whereas communities face acute challenges around housing affordability and housing availability, undermining the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities; And whereas purpose-built rental apartment buildings from previous decades are an essential component of the current rental housing supply, meaning that future renewal of these properties poses substantial opportunities and risks or current occupants as well as local communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to work with interested local communities, the not-for-profit sector and

Whereas the Speculation and Vacancy Tax generated an estimated 81 million in revenue for the Province during the 20192020 fiscal year to be directed towards affordable housing initiatives; And whereas local governments are taking on a greater role in addressing affordable housing needs in their communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to distribute directly back to each municipality a portion of the revenue collected, up to the amount collected from each local government, under the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to further affordable housing initiati

Whereas in April 2016, the province of BC declared a public health emergency related to the rise of opioid overdose deaths. A growing number of individuals who have survived a non-fatal overdose are living with an anoxichypoxic brain injury.

Whereas the population of British Columbia is 5.071 million but only 1.555 million British Columbians have registered their organ donor decision; And whereas one organ donor can save up to 8 lives: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia enact provincial legislation whereby an individual is deemed to consent to the individuals organs and tissues being used for transplantation activities, with the inclusion of an opt-out provision, similar to the Presumed Consent Organ Transplant Act passed by the Province of Nova Scotia.

Whereas the Province of BC has committed to supporting universal childcare and launched the New Spaces Fund to create thousands of new childcare spaces across BC; And whereas many rural and remote communities in BC face higher-than-average construction costs, including additional hazard mitigation and flood construction level requirements, also face a high unmet community demand for safe, affordable, and licensed childcare facilities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Minister of State for Child Care work with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to define exc

Whereas reliable, accessible high speed internet access has been determined as essential for a basic quality of life in our society; And whereas internet access can be unreliable or inaccessible for citizens confined to a health care facility which often leaves them disconnected from their loved ones and their community: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM should advocate for the provincial government to ensure that all communities in BC be provided with reasonable, reliable and accessible high speed internet access, including for patients who wish to remain connected with their loved ones

Whereas one year into a global pandemic that has killed thousands of British Columbians and millions of people worldwide, there is no legislation ensuring adequate, employer-paid sick days with the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit being temporary, sometimes inaccessible, and not of use for the crucial first few days of an illness; And whereas if paid sick day legislation had been in place before the global pandemic, lives would have been saved because infection rates would have been reduced; And whereas the lack of legislated paid sick days has especially hurt Black, Indigenous, workers o