Whereas housing availability and affordability challenges all municipalities in British Columbia; And whereas these housing challenges impact the health, social and economic well-being of all British Columbia communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to amend the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act to have all British Columbia municipalities included in the applicable areas where the tax applies.
Whereas communities across the province are unable to find desperately needed workers in the trades, healthcare, education, and childcare because of the unaffordability of housing; And whereas the loss of affordable rental housing is inextricably linked to the dire social and public health concerns that municipalities across the province are struggling to adequately address; And whereas the unaffordability of housing limits the ability of renters to contribute to local economies, as noted by Leilani Farha the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on housing and current Global Director
Whereas British Columbia is one of the last remaining provinces in Canada requiring a vaccine mandate for healthcare professionals; And whereas British Columbias healthcare system is under severe stress: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province for the provincial criteria that must be in place in order to remove the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
Whereas British Columbia continues to have a healthcare worker shortage from a growing and aging patient population, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing need to recruit, retain and train more healthcare workers at a rapidly growing pace to mitigate the healthcare crisis for the Provinces population; And whereas the Province of British Columbia has taken steps to expand the healthcare workforce and increase patient access through its BCs Health and Human Resources Strategy: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to expand the healthcare workforce
Whereas colleges in rural British Columbia play a crucial role in providing accessible and high-quality education and training opportunities for students across the province, including a closer to home education for those who otherwise cannot access training or education to provide necessary skills for employability; And whereas rural colleges face increasing demands and challenges, including rising operating costs, growing student populations, and the need to adapt to changing industry needs; And whereas adequate funding is essential to ensure that rural colleges can continue to provide
Whereas major projects cause compounding impacts that are obscured when assessed in isolation from existing and planned projects in a given region; And whereas current legislation creates significant demands on local governments by allowing for the isolated planning, assessment, and permitting considerations of wholly interdependent projects with interconnected timelines and demands on local services: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask that the Province of BC require the assessment and mitigation of cumulative effects, whether temporary or residual, as part of major project assessment
Whereas the Local Government Act does not support online voting for local government elections; And whereas local government elections historically have low turnouts, and being that online voting provides a broader audience the ability to vote: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to initiative legislative changes to allow online voting for local government elections.
Whereas rural and remote areas across British Columbia continue to face challenges in accessing adequate cell coverage, hindering connectivity and safety for residents; And whereas initiatives to extend cell coverage, such as the proposed Telus tower near Puntzi Lake, present opportunities to address these challenges and improve connectivity in underserved communities; And whereas community engagement and environmental considerations are crucial in the development of such projects to ensure they meet the needs of local residents and mitigate potential impacts: Therefore be it resolved th
Whereas the lack of cellular service along many highways throughout British Columbia poses significant safety concerns, impeding the ability of motorists to communicate in emergencies, access navigation services, or contact roadside assistance; and hampers economic development by limiting opportunities for businesses and travelers to stay connected and conduct transactions while on the move; And whereas advancements in cellular and satellite technology have made it increasingly feasible to extend coverage to previously underserved areas, including highways, through the deployment of new ce
Whereas fire departments play a crucial role in responding to motor vehicle incidents outside of fire protection boundaries on behalf of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness EMCR and that both EMCR and the local government have a shared responsibility for the health and safety of responders; And whereas one of the significant challenges faced by local fire departments is the lack of adequate or any communications infrastructure in the areas they respond to, making it difficult for responders to coordinate their efforts, request additional resources, or seek assistance from other age