2025

Whereas BC local governments are facing increasing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs including: legislated housing growth and densification, existing and emerging environmental regulatory requirements, and addressing the existing infrastructure deficit; And whereas local governments do not have financial tools linked to population and economic growth that could fund the capital renewal, expansion, and ongoing maintenance required; And whereas delays in provincial permitting processes have significant consequences to the viability and ultimate costs of infrastructure projec

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 the current Library Act presents challenges for small rural municipal Councils to meet the obligations of the Library Act; And whereas rural municipal libraries generally service areas beyond municipal boundaries, should have the opportunity to apply for an exemption within the Library Act: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province of British Columbia to review the Library Act and incorporate amendments that add flexibility or support mechanisms to address the challenge of finding adult residents or electors to serve on the library board of a small municipality.

Whereas the standardized structure of highway maintenance contracts in British Columbia does not adequately account for the diverse geographic, climatic, and infrastructure needs of the interior and northern regions; And whereas the existing contract specifications, including aggregate supply, response times, and maintenance standards, fail to address regional challenges such as extreme winter conditions and local material availability: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to revise the structure of Highway Road Maintenance Contracts to incorporate regional sp

Whereas mobile live animal programs where animals are transported to be displayed to, handled by or offered for sale to the public can create distress for animals and introduce risks of zoonotic disease transmission and injury for people and other animals; And whereas wild and exotic animals are not domesticated and suffer physically and psychologically when kept, bred, displayed and sold in captivity: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to regulate mobile live animal programs to address animal welfare concerns and public health and safety risks; And b

Whereas housing affordability is impacted by the rising cost of housing for both rental and ownership, and incomes have not kept up to the cost of living across the province: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and BC Assessment Authority to support housing affordability through taxation changes and financial commitment by undertaking the following: - adjust the assessment value of rental properties to reflect the existing building on the site instead of the full development potential the highest and best use; - explore variable tax

Whereas recognizing housing as a human right fundamentally shifts government motivations by adding critical urgency and responsibility to ensure access to affordable housing meaning housing costs are aligned with income through policies that prevent homelessness, address the escalating housing and homelessness crisis, eliminate discrimination, and prioritize the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations; And whereas the Government of Canada affirmed the right to housing as a matter of international law and enshrined it domestically through the National Housing Strategy Act 2019, rec

Whereas the Province has mandated significant increases in housing provisions as of 2024 to address the housing availability and affordability crisis, requiring growth in areas beyond municipalities original density plans; And whereas schools across British Columbia are at capacity, with enrollment-based planning failing to account for future growth, resulting in delayed school infrastructure despite municipalities being required to complete housing units under the Housing Supply Act without corresponding adjustments to school planning timelines: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask t

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 systemic social issues outside of a municipalitys mandate, such as poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges, contribute to increased call volumes and demands on police services, creating high police services costs that are further exacerbated by the need to respond to and manage the impacts of these systemic social issues: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urgently appeal to the Province of British Columbia to develop an equitable Police Services funding program for all BC municipalities and regional districts that takes into account the financial capacity and population s