2025

Whereas Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius, a plant species not native to BC, has been identified by the BC Invasive Species Council as a Regulated Invasive Species and as the top worst offender impacting Species at Risk by the Coastal Invasive Species Committee as a Priority Invasive Plant; And whereas the proliferation of Scotch Broom results in ecological and economic impacts including displacement of native plant species, harm to sensitive ecosystems, reduced productivity on agricultural and forest lands and increased risk of wildfire; And whereas Scotch Broom spreads readily along distur

Whereas rural and resource-based communities continue to be a significant economic driver in both rural and urban areas across British Columbia; And whereas communities throughout British Columbia are experiencing job losses and heightened economic challenges arising from trade uncertainties, and provincial legislation and policies that disproportionately affect resource industries such as forestry, mining, energy, and aquaculture; And whereas these communities are integral to the provincial economy, contributing substantially to British Columbias GDP, employment, and export revenues, whi

Whereas the Province of British Columbia through the Emergency and Disaster Management Act EDMA, is undertaking significant reforms that include updated emergency management planning, risk assessment protocols, and the implementation of the forthcoming Provincial Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment DCRRA; And whereas these new risk assessments, while important for public safety and resilience, may result in unintended consequences for BC homeowners, including increased insurance premiums, loss of insurance coverage, andor the inability to secure mortgage financing due to r

Whereas natural assets, when responsibly managed and preserved, provide service to British Columbia communities on their own and as the foundation of natural infrastructure initiatives that enhance a communitys resilience to the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of Earths ecosystems; And whereas a natural asset inventory, co-developed with the Indigenous Peoples on whose traditional territory a community is located, is a first step towards the development of sustainable, resilient, natural infrastructure and towards ensuring that natural assets are valued an

Whereas Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC, as of April 1, 2025, has reduced or discontinued funding to organizations providing immigrant and refugee settlement programs in communities across British Columbia in response to reductions in federal immigration levels planned over the next three years; And whereas the reduction and discontinuation of federal funding for settlement programs immediately reduces the availability of and access to services and supports that are vital to the social and economic integration of approximately 200,000 recent immigrants currently living in

Whereas currently only the Agriculture Land Commissions ALC Chief Executive Officer has the authority to issue an Administrative Penalty i.e.

Whereas the movement and subsequent deposition of soil and other material has the potential to negatively impact all lands - including ALR lands within the Province of British Columbia; And whereas local governments, the Agricultural Land Commission and other provincial agencies must address issues and related impacts associated to the movement, removal, and deposition of soil and other material which often requires enforcement measures to be taken; And whereas the movement, removal, and deposition of soil and other material has the potential to negatively impact the environment, farmland

Whereas the name of the Motor Vehicle Act, RSBC 1996, c 318 the MVA does not reflect its purpose of regulating rights and responsibilities in relation to all road users nor of its primary goal of ensuring safety; And whereas roads must serve a wide range and growing number of users in addition to motor vehicles, including pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, those using other mobility devices and public transit: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province to change the name of the Motor Vehicle Act to the Road Safety Act.

Whereas most British Columbians will encounter some form of accessibility challenges in their lives, the British Columbia Building Code establishes only a minimum level of accessibility for buildings and therefore fails to meet the accessibility needs of all people; And whereas the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification RHFAC program aims to improve accessibility in the built environment by evaluating the meaningful access of buildings and sites for people with a range of accessibility requirements including vision, hearing, neurodiversity, and mobility: Therefore be it resolv

Whereas the current default speed limit on local roads roads without a centre line is 50 kmh, and empirical evidence shows that both the likelihood and severity of collisions - particularly involving vulnerable road users - rise sharply as vehicle speeds increase from 30 kmh to 50 kmh, and as a result reducing vehicle speeds on local roads is a proven strategy to improve safety, enhance livability, reduce social costs, and support increased active transportation mode share; And whereas existing legislation obliges municipalities to reduce speed limits via bylaws and requires that municipal