2025

Whereas the large number of resolutions submitted by UBCM membersmore than 200 annuallyresults in a wide range of policy positions, rendering it challenging for UBCM to focus its advocacy efforts; And whereas a reduction in the number and breadth of policy positions adopted annually by the membership would enable UBCM to advocate more effectively, by focusing time and resources on issues with significant province-wide impact on local governments and member First Nations: Therefore be it resolved that Section 15c of the UBCM Bylaws be amended by adding the text in bold type as follows, to

Whereas over 700,000 British Columbians lack a family doctor, and the provincial population is growing at 1.7 annually while newly arrived and existing family doctors face prohibitive costs and scarcity of properly configured spaces for community clinics; And whereas newly mandated growth from the province would better serve our communities holistically by incorporating healthcare needs of new and existing residents: Therefore be it resolved that the Province explicitly include funding for community health spaces in eligible Amenity Cost Charges ACC benefits.

Whereas over 700,000 British Columbians lack a family doctor, and the provincial population is growing at 1.7 annually while newly arrived and existing family doctors face prohibitive costs and scarcity of properly configured spaces for community clinics; And whereas newly mandated growth from the province would better serve our communities holistically by incorporating healthcare needs of new and existing residents: Therefore be it resolved that the Province work with local governments, Provincial and Local Divisions of Family Practice, and developers to encourage or require consideratio

Whereas large public infrastructure projects are paid for by BC taxpayers and often go over budget; And whereas skyrocketing cost overruns cause hardship for taxpayers who are forced to pay. And project mismanagement and lack of accountability cause loss of public trust in government institutions; And whereas the Province of BC recently indicated it wont investigate the 3.5 Billion over budget North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant NSWWTP, forcing hundreds of thousands of taxpayers to pay huge utility bills for the next 30 years.

Whereas recent reporting has revealed that Canadian weapons continue to be shipped to Israel amidst the ongoing attacks on civilians, journalists, and aid workers; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government take the following actions: - Call on the Canadian government to institute a full two-way arms embargo between Canada and the state of Israel, - Direct the BC Cannabis and Liquor Board to remove Israeli wines from BC Liquor Stores, - Support Gazan newcomer resettlement.

Whereas the Province of British Columbia committed in its Five-Year Extended Producer Responsibility EPR Action Plan 2021-2026 and the 20252028 Service Plan to regulate mattresses, but recently announced a delay citing consumer affordability concerns; And whereas delaying implementation increases costs for consumers, for local governments and taxpayers who must cover the collection, recycling, and disposal of mattresses, despite producers being responsible under the polluter-pays principle, thereby exacerbating the very affordability issues the delay seeks to address: Therefore be it res

Whereas escalating wildfires and climate change are increasing in intensity and cost across British Columbia and Canada threatening the unceded territories of many First Nations and impairing the ability of Indigenous peoples across Canada to exercise their rights protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, including rights related to land, culture, and traditional practices and resulting in mounting economic costs and greater risk to life and critical infrastructure, demanding bold and timely action; And whereas larger fires emit greenhouse gases and black carbon smoke that

Whereas in 2019, the federal Oil Tanker Moratorium Act was implemented, banning large oil tankers from carrying crude oil and persistent oils along British Columbias ecologically sensitive North Coast; And whereas in a July 5, 2025 interview with Postmedia, Prime Minister Carney noted that it was highly, highly likely that a new oil pipeline to the BC coast would be included in a list of national priorities for Ottawa, and that his government will do everything we can so that those projects can be built, thereby revisiting discussions around reopening the Northern Gateway pipeline and tank

Whereas lengthy wait times for archaeological permits from the Provinces Heritage and Conservation Branch are causing significant delays to local government infrastructure and development projects, resulting in budget overruns, missed construction seasons, and lost grant opportunities; And whereas these delays are further compounded by limited access to qualified archaeologists, whose capacity is strained by permitting backlogs and additional reporting or fieldwork requirements imposed late in the process, making it increasingly difficult for local governments to comply in a timely and cos

Whereas effective and sustainable housing policies require advance consultation with local governments, Indigenous organizations, non-profit providers, private sector experts, and academic institutions to ensure workable, coordinated solutions, and recent provincial housing legislation has often been developed without sufficient input from sector stakeholders, leading to unintended consequences, implementation challenges for local governments, and impacts on housing supply and affordability; And whereas a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable, modeled on advisory bodies such as th