2023

Whereas Recreation Sites and Trails BC RSTBC has a mandate to provide safe, quality recreation opportunities by developing, maintaining and managing a network of recreation sites and trails throughout the province for the use and enjoyment of British Columbians; And whereas some users of these sites and trails are holding events and gatherings that hinder others enjoyment of these public assets and threaten to harm the natural and built environments through vandalism and wildfire: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Government of BC commit greater resources to the man

Whereas the cost of emergency response to highway motor vehicle accidents has increased for local governments, but the compensation from the province has not increased commensurately: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to revisit the funding formula to ensure that first responder costs incurred on the Provinces behalf by local government responders are fully covered.

Whereas rural community roads are managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, who oversee the maintenance, service and safety standards and there is continued concern regarding the state of roads in rural communities including poor road surfaces and drainage; And whereas the provincial government periodically makes economic investment announcements and it is understood that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure may require assessment of impacts to transportation infrastructure resulting from proposed development, and which may direct improvements to transport

Whereas the Ministry of Health has overall responsibility for ensuring that quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and timely health services are available for all British Columbians; And whereas not all rural, remote communities are provided with budgetary means to sustain full-time paramedic positions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Ministry of Health invest in full-time paid paramedic positions for small, rural, remote communities across British Columbia to enhance these communities ability to sustain permanent employment for their skilled residents.

Whereas the Ministry of Health has overall responsibility for ensuring that quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and timely health services are available for all British Columbians; And whereas rural, remote communities are subject to a loss of services due to position vacancies: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of BC continue to support regional health authorities by increasing the health budget for nursing, physicians, and health care professionals attraction and retention, as well as including opportunities for all other emerging health care providers, such

Whereas the British Columbia provincial government declared a public health emergency on April 14, 2016, in response to rapidly escalating fatalities caused by the unregulated and toxic drug supply; And whereas despite some action by the provincial government to mitigate harm linked to the unregulated drug supply, interventions to-date have not been proportionate to the scale and scope of the crisis, with over 11,390 preventable deaths of British Columbians due to accidental overdose linked back to the toxic drug supply between April 2016 and December 31, 2022; And whereas offering a safe

Whereas the changing climate conditions are creating prolonged water restrictions that impact businesses, limit or stop food production and create other issues for many communities; And whereas licencing for community drinking water systems may take the Province of British Columbia over two years to approve, even when a state of local emergency is in effect for the applicant: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to: 1. Substantially increase the resources allocated for the processing of water licence applications; and 2.

Whereas the cost of infrastructure renewal is increasing in British Columbia due to the prevalence of aging municipal assets, inflation and increased community growth in many areas; And whereas the revenue from property transfer tax is due in large part to the attractiveness of the local community to homebuyers which is in part the result of local government efforts, as such local governments should benefit from this tax: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to share property transfer tax revenue with local governments in British Columbia for expansion

Whereas parcel taxes and utility fees have risen substantially in recent years, adding to the increased cost of living for British Columbians; And whereas eligible property owners can defer their property taxes under a provincial deferment program: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to expand the existing property tax deferment program to include local government parcel taxes and utility bills.

Whereas local governments acknowledge the critical importance of archaeology to reclaim the history and heritage of the Indigenous Peoples particularly while undertaking critical local government infrastructure renewal; And whereas the cost of infrastructure renewal is increasing in British Columbia due to the prevalence of aging municipal assets, inflation and increased archaeological costs, including the cost of project delays: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to: 1.