2025

Whereas climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of a community experiencing an emergency or disaster event resulting in a sudden increase of debris that requires safe and effective disposal; And whereas debris from emergency or disaster events will be composed of a variety of divertible materials that if not planned for appropriately, will be sent to landfills, taking up already limited landfill airspace: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province establish a province-wide disaster debris management plan that provides logistical, financial, and operatio

Whereas water security, drought, and climate change are critical issues affecting communities across the Province of British Columbia, with many communities facing challenges related to aging water infrastructure and increasing demand; And whereas incentivizing the implementation of residential rainwater catchment systems can alleviate pressure on water supply challenges in drought affected communities: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to offer rebates or financial incentives for residential rainwater catchment systems to help increase wate

Whereas BC Hydro has prioritized the development of electric vehicle EV charging infrastructure in urban areas and along high-volume traffic corridors; And whereas rural areas face significant gaps in access to public EV charging infrastructure, which limits EV adoption and creates barriers to equitable access for residents and travelers in these regions: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that BC Hydro develop a separate strategy to provide access to public EV charging stations in rural areas, ensuring that all regions have access to reliable and accessible EV charging infrastruc

Whereas the Private Managed Forest Land PMFL Program is crucial for sustainable forest management in British Columbia; And whereas local governments, First Nations, and PMFL landowners have provided comprehensive recommendations in 2019 to enhance the PMFL Program, including better protection of environmental, community, and Indigenous values, and the need for improved regulatory frameworks, enforcement, communication, and transparency: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Forests implement the recommendations provided by local governments and First Nations duri

Whereas numerous local governments are struggling with the abandonment and rapid proliferation of feral European rabbits in parks and public spaces, and these invasive animals have a negative impact on ecosystems, native wildlife, urban infrastructure and greenspaces, and public health and safety; And whereas the current approach to addressing this issue is uncoordinated and poorly funded, placing all of the responsibility on the shoulders of local governments and small underfunded not-for-profits, leading to an inconsistent and ineffective response: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urg

Whereas the current population of non-migratory, resident Canada geese branta canadensis moffitti are not native to this area and are increasing in numbers each year to an estimated 9,000 to 11,000 according to recent bird counts; And whereas non-migratory, resident Canada geese are an ongoing destructive element to agriculture through the disruption of growing fields, the consumption of crops, and the risks posed by avian influenza and E.

Whereas volunteer fire departments in rural and remote areas are burdened with longer and more frequent call outs to attend downed powerlines, motor vehicle incidents and other emergency calls until BC Hydro or BC Ambulance arrives on scene: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to review the funding model for volunteer fire departments to include reasonable and proportional funding from BC Hydro, BC Ambulance, and ICBC to reduce the burden on local taxpayers.

Whereas the opioid crisis claimed the lives of more than 2,500 citizens in British Columbia in 2023; And whereas not all information regarding the distribution of fentanyl precursors is currently being shared by relevant provincial and federal agencies with law enforcement: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province to work with the relevant authorities to ensure pertinent information relating to the distribution of precursors for fentanyl is shared by relevant provincial and federal agencies with law enforcement in a timely manner.

Whereas exotic animals and their hybrids are not domesticated and suffer physically and psychologically when bred, kept, displayed and sold in captivity, and may pose public health and safety risks to other animals and people; And whereas the keeping of most wild animals as pets in BC is illegal under the Wildlife Act, and hybrid animals, including the breeding of Canis familiaris domestic dog and Canis lupus wolf hybrid wolfdogs are not protected by this legislation or the provincial Controlled Alien Species Regulation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Colum

Whereas wildfires and interface fires have caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to communities in British Columbia, and according to a June 2023 British Columbia Forest Practices Board report, this can be partially attributed to the way forests are managed; And whereas research shows that monoculture coniferous tree farms are more susceptible to disease, drought, and wildfire while biodiverse forests retain moisture and are more resilient to drought, disease, and wildfire, and that many deciduous trees are fire-resistant: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Govern