2024

Whereas in response to persistent drought conditions and other climate change effects that are placing considerable stress on supplies of safe, reliable water, the Province of British Columbia has launched new regulatory and enforcement tools as well as funding programs targeting the agricultural sector; And whereas efforts by the agricultural sector to develop more efficient water infrastructure, management, supply and storage to maximize available water is being impeded by lengthy, costly, and complex grant application and water licencing processes as well as conflicting guidance from di

Whereas the Province of British Columbia provides powers to local governments to regulate protection of the environment and levy maximum fines for offences: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to provide urgent protection to watercourses from dumping and discharge, including by providing authority to local governments to impose higher fines.

Whereas the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, is responsible for establishing the standards for drinking water quality as codified by the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality; And whereas the Province of British Columbia has adopted the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality as the standard for drinking water quality under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which community water systems are required to meet: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia to provide ongoing, long-term, and stable funding for local

Whereas in the face of climate change and a rapidly increasing population; fresh water for human consumption, agriculture, industry, and ecological needs has become a precious commodity across British Columbia; And whereas securing a new water source involves the navigation of complex provincial regulations: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship to provide leadership and functional involvement in the creation and management of consistent regional water supply strategies and simplify the associated regulatory process, with the

Whereas the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes are not the direct jurisdiction of local governments and therefore not subject to associated service cost recovery fees; And whereas environmental assessment processes, while of critical importance to communities, are very time-consuming, expensive, and onerous for local government staff, community, and council: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to establish proponent fees to support the participation of local governments in environmental assessment processes, including compensation associated with the

Whereas the environmental assessment review and permitting process for major projects does not adequately identify, consider and proactively address the cumulative social, economic, and infrastructure impacts of these projects on communities; And whereas the environmental assessment process defers consideration of community issues to the management planning and permitting stage where the issues that arise are inadequately addressed in a reactive manner during project implementation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to ensure that the environmental assessment review pro

Whereas Health Canada may issue a registration document to an individual based in part on a health care providers initial assessment and document supporting the individuals use of medical cannabis which can permit an individual to grow cannabis plants at designated locations for the purpose of producing cannabis for personal medical use; And whereas the number of plants which may be possessed under a medical certificate can permit a person to possess a number of plants similar to an industrial marijuana grow facility: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and the Federation of Canadian Munic

Whereas the misuse and abuse of fireworks causes property damage, personal injury, community disturbance and is a threat to first responders; And whereas a province-wide approach is needed for the safe manufacturing, transportation, retail, wholesale and use of fireworks: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to regulate the use and sale of fireworks in British Columbia, including public education, enforcement, and transportation.

Whereas due to the high frequency of crashes at intersections in British Columbia, the province implemented an Intersection Safety Camera ISC program to save lives and reduce injuries; And whereas the ISC program consists of 140 red light and speed cameras at high-risk intersections in British Columbia, with only one of the locations being in North Central British Columbia thus limiting the opportunity for remote municipalities to use red-light or speed cameras as a traffic safety feature: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to expand the Intersection Safety

Whereas E-Comm has struggled to provide service levels that meet established standards or the expectations of the communities they serve, while the cost of E-Comm is increasing at an unsustainable rate, creating budget uncertainty for local Police and Fire services; And whereas the imminent introduction of next-Gen 911 will represent the single largest change in emergency communications delivery since the introduction of 911, with uncertain cost and operational impacts: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to engage local governments in a comprehensive review o