2025

Whereas through the Environmental Assessment Act, the Province of British Columbia aims to ensure that any potential environmental, economic, social, culturaland health effects that may occur during the lifetime of a major project are thoroughly assessed; And whereas the impacts of rail traffic and the transportation of dangerous goods can have an impact on communities outside of the immediate vicinity of major projects undergoing environmental assessment: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to include rail servicing, transportation of dangerous goods and ot

Whereas interprovincial trade barriers restrict market access for businesses and limit opportunities for local governments to source competitively within Canada; And whereas eliminating these barriers would facilitate economic growth, encourage interprovincial commerce, and provide local governments with greater flexibility in procurement decisions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to reduce and eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, improving market access for Canadian businesses and enabling local governments to p

Whereas local governments play a critical role in local economic development and can strengthen Canadian industries by prioritizing domestic procurement of goods and services; And whereas reviewing and adapting local government procurement policies to prioritize Canadian products and services can support local businesses, enhance economic resilience, and mitigate the risks associated with international trade disruptions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to support a Canada-first local government procurement strategy by facilitating local and d

Whereas plasma is a critical component in life-saving treatments for individuals with immune deficiencies, cancer, kidney disease, and other serious medical conditions; And whereas Canada collects less than 20 of the plasma required to meet domestic patient needs, relying heavily on international supply chains despite growing demand for plasma-based treatments; And whereas Canadian Blood Services closed its whole blood donation centre in Prince George in 2015, leaving Northern BC residents with no local option to donate plasma, while new plasma donor centres have been established in other

Whereas wild mushroom harvesting supports local economies, food security, tourism, and cultural traditions, particularly for Indigenous communities and small-scale harvesters; And whereas the lack of regulatory oversight has led to unsustainable harvesting, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and conflicts over access to resources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government, through the Ministry of Forests, to develop and implement a regulatory framework for wild mushroom harvesting that establishes science-based harvesting limits, seasonal restrictions

Whereas resource development projects significantly impact rural and unincorporated communities, including electoral areas, where regional directors are elected to represent local interests; And whereas there is currently no standardized protocol for provincial ministries or resource development proponents to engage regional directors in consultation processes, limiting their ability to provide informed input on behalf of their communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government, specifically the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, the Ministry

Whereas addiction and mental illness impact individuals across all sectors of society, and stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help, sustaining long-term recovery, and maintaining employment, a key determinant of well-being that provides financial stability, purpose, and social connection; And whereas local governments, as employers and community leaders, have the ability to implement Recovery-Informed Workplace Practices that foster inclusive and supportive work environments, reduce workplace conditions that contribute to substance misuse, and promote policies that recognize a

Whereas the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, introduced by the Province of British Columbia in October 2023, mandates local governments to regulate short-term rentals to increase the supply of long-term housing but applies arigid exemption thresholdbased solely on rental vacancy rates; And whereas smaller communities, such as Dawson Creek and Fort St.

Whereas victim service programs provide support and assistance to victims of crime; And whereas a variety of agencies and local governments deliver victim services programs in different communities, with varying degrees of expertise and resources; And whereas the funding formula for victim services is built around population it does not take into consideration the absence of a community based program resulting in the responsibility falling on local police based programs along with additional responsibilities of committees, such as being the facilitator for Integrated Case Assessment Teams

Whereas transit costs in small communities for the operation and leasing of vehicles continues to rise at a rate that is unaffordable for maintaining systems with smaller population bases; And whereas the transit riders in rural and small communities rely on the systems to attend appointments in larger urban centres and to commute to places of employment; And whereas rural and small communities have limited tax bases to draw on to pay for increased costs they are facing reductions in transit services to limited routes: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to d