2024

Whereas wildfires and interface fires have caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to communities in British Columbia, and according to a June 2023 British Columbia Forest Practices Board report, this can be partially attributed to the way forests are managed; And whereas research shows that monoculture coniferous tree farms are more susceptible to disease, drought, and wildfire while biodiverse forests retain moisture and are more resilient to drought, disease, and wildfire, and that many deciduous trees are fire-resistant: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Govern

Whereas the use of Recreational Vehicles RVs and Tiny homes as an alternative form of affordable housing has become a matter of national importance in the midst of a housing affordability crisis; and despite previously submitted UBCM Resolutions NR64, RR2, NR71, NR21, and NR22, a satisfactory outcome with respect to this issue has not been achieved; And whereas in March 2017, members from the modular construction council of the Canadian Home Builders Association CHBA drafted and submitted fourteen code change requests CCRs to the National Building Code to address the reality that some comp

Whereas Bill 35 has been enacted to give local governments stronger enforcement tools for their short-term rental bylaws resulting in the amendment of section 2 of the Community Charter Bylaw Enforcement Ticket Regulation Reg.

Whereas staffing shortages have led to the unavailability of licensed daycare and after-school care spots; And whereas childcare service provides the opportunity for youth employment and valuable skills development; And whereas youth already provide care for school-age children as leaders in summer camps, working as lifeguards, and other areas of demonstrated responsibility; And whereas childcare facilities are often located in or near high schools: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to modify Section 29 of the Child Care Licensing Regulation to allow certi

Whereas almost one quarter of Canadian menstruators say they have struggled to afford menstrual products for themselves or their children period poverty, and that people who are menstruating but do not have menstrual products available to them experience social isolation, financial instability and increased mental health concerns by not being able to attend school, work, or community activities without experiencing stigma and shame; And whereas municipalities play a pivotal role in addressing period poverty within their communities, and may need support implementing practical solutions to

Whereasthe Canadian Coast Guard has suddenly, and without prior notice, announced on July 31, 2024, that it intends to remove staff from Carmanah Point and Pachena Point, two west coast light stations in the immediate future at two very strategically located sites at the entry to the Juan de Fuca Strait and along the West Coast Trail, posing a serious threat to the safety of coastal communities, mariners, aviators, the general public, hikers 8,000 per year and the marine environment; And whereas there has been no consultation with First Nations, user groups, the light keepers, the union no

Whereas First Nation representation within the Union of BC Municipalities membership are underrepresented; And whereas the Province of BC has adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM provide an outreach program to British Columbias First Nations on becoming full UBCM members.

Whereas rural BC has a proportionately larger and faster growing seniors population than urban BC, yet has less infrastructure and resources to support its aging population; And whereas a greater and more focused provincial response to ongoing concerns about inequities in services and supports for seniors in rural BC is required to address the inadequacies of current approaches to such issues: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM endorse the recommendations of the Office of the Seniors Advocates report titled Challenges Facing BCs Rural Seniors and dated February 2024, as follows: - Develo

Whereas healthcare facilities in Central and Northern British Columbia BC are confronting a myriad of pressing challenges, including but not limited to limited emergency room capacity, insufficient operating room hours, inadequate capital upgrades, and critical staffing shortages; And whereas the residents of Central and Northern BC endure significant hardships as they are compelled to undertake extensive journeys to access essential medical procedures, owing to the dearth of specialized healthcare facilities in the region, thereby leading to considerable delays in receiving vital healthca

Whereas effective communication, collaboration, and engagement between provincial ministries and local governments are essential to ensure that decisions made at the provincial level are well-informed and considerate of the unique needs and perspectives of local governments; And whereas a lack of meaningful consultation and collaboration between provincial ministries and local governments may lead to unintended consequences, challenges, and dissatisfaction within local communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge all provincial ministries to seek input from local governments durin