2024

Whereas BC fire rescue service departments, operating under career, composite, or volunteer models, are experiencing increased demands in emergency medical response calls while there is inadequate funding for the BC Emergency Health Services BCEHS system; And whereas the fire departments that provide these services, authorized under the Emergency Medical Assistant EMA first responder program, currently do so on a community-by-community basis creating an inconsistent provincial approach to emergency medical assistance: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM endorse and advocate to the P

Whereas local governments are facing increased pressures to address immediate, emerging and persistent social issues in their local communities that impact the safety, security and well-being of residents; And whereas the provincial government does not respond as quickly as needs arise, forcing local governments to take increased action to address community mental health and substance misusetoxicity challenges with limited and often inadequate resources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province of British Columbia to commit to provide adequate, ongoing, and direct funding for

Whereas the toxic drug crisis continues to surge across the province and the lasting effects of overdose can potentially lead to acquired brain injury which can include organ failure, nerve damage, paralysis, memory loss, mental disorientation, diminished motor skills, reduced physical and cognitive functioning, and behavioural changes; And whereas communities across the province are implementing many initiatives in support of all residents safety and wellbeing such as Public Safety and Social Development Frameworks; And whereas the Province has developed a complex care framework that ack

Whereas in 2022, the BC Emergency Health Services reported a 75 total increase in annual overdosepoisoning events since the toxic drug crisis was declared a public health emergency in 2016 and the BC Provincial Overdose Cohort reports that brain injury is 15 times more likely among people who had experienced drug poisoning than those who had not; And whereas the number of supports available for individuals requiring complex care due to health challenges related to substance use disorder has proven grossly inadequate for the ever-increasing demand in communities all across British Columbia:

Whereas the Province of BC, through their 2023 Pathway to Hope progress report committed to eliminating gaps in the mental health care and substance use treatment system, and to building an integrated system of care that includes access to a full spectrum of treatment and recovery options so that no one falls through the cracks; And whereas wait times for detox beds are a known barrier for those seeking the option of treatment for addiction when they are ready: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government in order to provide more funding to open detox centres where

Whereas the Province of British Columbia declared a drug toxicity public emergency in 2016, acknowledging the rapid increase in overdose deaths and the need to deploy the necessary harm reduction strategies with urgency to prevent additional deaths; And whereas over 13,000 people have died of toxic drugs since 2016 in communities across British Columbia, including at least 2,500 people in 2023, about two-thirds of which were from inhalation, yet only about 40 of supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites in British Columbia offer inhalation services: Therefore be it resolved tha

Whereas Section 28 of the British Columbia Mental Health Act specifies a police officer should accompany to hospital persons with apparent mental disorders and acting in a manner likely to endanger the safety of themselves or others; And whereas the opioid and mental health crisis in British Columbia communities has resulted in an increase in the number and length of times police officers are immobilized to the service of the greater community to sit in hospital waiting rooms while accompanying apprehended individuals until they are seen by a physician: Therefore be it resolved that the U

Whereas RCMP members continue to respond to a significant number of calls for service for individuals dealing with mental health challenges and mental health liaison officers have proven to be an effective resource for assisting vulnerable citizens requiring support; And whereas local governments are not provided funding to pay for healthcare and social services and there has been no increase in the Provincial funding model to support these officers responding to chroniccrisis mental health calls: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate for the Province to fund Mental Health Liaison O

Whereas social issues in the province such as the opioid crisis, mental health issues, the lack of affordable housing, and a shortage of family physicians has led to increasing pressures on fire departments to respond to first response calls; And whereas communities need more support and resources to deal with the impacts of the opioid crisis and mental health issues: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of BC to allocate resources to improve access to mental health supports, harm reduction sites, detox and treatment facilities, family doctors, walk-in clinics, community he

Whereas some local governments in British Columbia have experienced a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers using emergency shelters that are not equipped to handle their unique needs i.e.