Whereas coastal communities in BC are experiencing the detrimental effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, adverse weather events, and eroding shorelines: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM urge the BC government to dedicate more resources toward mitigating the impacts of climate change and shoreline erosion in coastal communities.
Whereas residential development in portions of unincorporated areas designated as suitable for increased dwelling density through regional growth strategies and official community plans will enhance the supply of housing in British Columbia; And whereas a key constraint in increasing dwelling density in these areas is locating adequately sized green infrastructure such as rain gardens and infiltration swales that protect stream systems and overall watershed health, and reduce risk to downstream property: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of BC investigate option
Whereas over one million British Columbians rely on groundwater for daily use and that groundwater presents significant challenges in terms of monitoring, defining classifyingcharacterizing,and demonstrating water viability, including water-use budgetsallocations; And whereas the impacts of climate change, population growth and industrial activity are intensifying, and all three factors can negatively impact groundwater sustainability and sources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government prioritize the following: 1.
Whereas climate change is causing increasingly unpredictable and extended summer droughts throughout Vancouver Island and the Coastal Region; And whereas water is a shared resource required by all residents, industry sectors, agriculture and the environment to both sustain life and conduct business: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM request the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship conduct a current inventory of surface and groundwater availability, as well as projected future needs, in order to facilitate planning of freshwater storage requirements to supply all resident
Whereas public libraries play a vital role in communities by providing access to resources, promoting literacy, supporting job seekers and small businesses, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and promoting equity and inclusion; And whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by levies paid by local governments, and provincial funding for libraries has remained stagnant; while the costs to deliver library services and the demand for library services have increased exponentially over time: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM appeal to the Province of B
Whereas local governments, often on the front lines, bear the brunt of addressing shared crises such as climate issues, housing affordability, inequality, public health, and infrastructure challenges; And whereas the burden on local governments has intensified due to provincial shortcomings in fulfilling their responsibilities, leaving many local governments grappling with insufficient revenue sources, resulting in an over reliance on regressive property taxation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to promptly fulfill its responsibilities in providing health care, includ
Whereas local governments across British Columbia face challenges in securing stable funding for essential services; And whereas a consistent and reliable source of funding is crucial for the effective functioning of local governments; And whereas alternative funding mechanisms, such as a municipal sales tax or alternative tax be directly allocated to BC local governments, can contribute to financial stability and local autonomy: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Province for the exploration and implementation of alternative funding options, including, for example, a mun
Whereas local governments in BC are increasingly reliant on a wide variety of grant programs to support the delivery of services, programs and projects in their jurisdictions; And whereas the administrative burden of managing increasingly complex criteria and requirements, from application to final reporting, can be overwhelming, time consuming and sometimes prohibitive for some local governments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM encourage the governments of British Columbia and Canada to coordinate their efforts across all grant program streams to establish more consistent and flexible
Whereas local governments are required to meet tight and firm deadlines for submissions to provincial and federal application-based grant programs; And whereas after submitting a grant application, local governments are left to wait indefinitely due to the absence of established timelines for grant adjudication and approvals, thereby affecting local governments ability to plan projects with certainty and financial accuracy: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM encourage the governments of British Columbia and Canada to establish and adhere to processing timelines and award decision dates fo
Whereas the Province of BC is implementing the 10 Principles within the Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act DRIPA and local governments and Indigenous organizations are collectively working towards reconciliation actions; And whereas many local governments and Indigenous organizations do not have the capacity for the extensive work required for effective partnership building in the spirit of reconciliation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of BC provide an ongoing funding stream for local governments and Indigenous partners to advance the Declaratio