2026

Whereas many of British Columbias more than 4,000 small water systems face infrastructure upgrades whose costs are unaffordable, and while a Point-of-Entry POE disinfection exemption under the Drinking Water Protection Regulation exists, it requires Drinking Water Officer DWO approval which is discretionary and applied inconsistently leaving eligible communities without a clear, predictable pathway to access this technology; And whereas the Ministry of Healths Small Water System Guidebook currently lacks standardized POE approval criteria, affordability thresholds, inspection protocols, or

Whereas the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence AI and data centres has caused increased demand for energy and water resources, raising concerns about environmental sustainability; And whereas local governments require clear provincial guidance and regulations to effectively manage the environmental impacts of data centre operations: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia and the BC Utilities Commission to introduce regulations governing the design and operation of new and existing data centres, aimed at minimizing and controlling their energy

Whereas artificial intelligence AI should be considered a national security threat that presents risks to all levels of government and the principles that uphold democratic society; And whereas AI has developed rapidly in recent years, in some cases sowing social discord, generating often false and misleading information, and becoming a tool of bad actors: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM request that provincial and federal governments work collaboratively with local governments in creating reasonable and enforceable regulations of AI technologies that safeguard democracy and

Whereas local governments in British Columbia are increasingly seeking to implement closed-circuit television CCTV systems to enhance public safety, deter crime, and support law enforcement investigations and the current interpretation and enforcement of privacy legislation by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner OIPC restrict the deployment of municipal CCTV systems, even when intended for clearly defined public safety purposes; And whereas these privacy-related barriers prevent local governments from proactively using modern surveillance tools that can assist in crime d

Whereas local police and RCMP services are increasingly being required to detain individuals for extended periods due to limited court transport availability, expanded use of virtual bail, and restricted intake at correctional facilities, resulting in the downloading of court- and correction-related custodial responsibilities onto local police and RCMP services, causing operational strain, staffing pressures, costs, and legal risk; And whereas local police and RCMP detention facilities are not designed, resourced, or governed to meet correctional standards, and there is currently no provin

Whereas injuries and deaths on BC roads have untold impacts on thousands of BC lives every year, strain local government first responder resources, and result in more than 500 million in direct health care costs in British Columbia every year; And whereas the Provinces BC Road Safety Strategy has referenced a Vision Zero approach to road safety starting with the belief that no loss of life on our roads is acceptable and implementing a collaborative Safe System Approach to road safety relying proactive data collection and sharing as the globally recognized path to achieving Vision Zero: Th

Whereas provincial legislation requires local governments to conduct and report on annual dike inspections, and most local governments must contract this work at high cost to taxpayers due to a lack of certified staff; And whereas there is a significant need for dike maintenance and construction, yet a clear gap exists in both technical expertise and sustainable funding models which contribute to delays and construction setbacks that leave local governments vulnerable: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to commit to stable flood and drought funding with p

Whereas British Columbia is experiencing increasingly severe wildfires that pose significant risks to public safety, public health, critical infrastructure, and local government finances; And whereas extensive areas of fire-killed and weakened forest represent a known and ongoing wildfire hazard that, when left untreated, increases wildfire intensity, smoke impacts, suppression costs, and risks to nearby communities and infrastructure; And whereas proactive removal of hazardous standing fuel prior to ignition is a cost-effective wildfire risk-reduction measure that improves firefighter sa

Whereas the Province of British Columbia is experiencing increased wildfire risk due to rising temperatures and drought associated with climate change; And whereas an increasing number of community-based wildfire protection and response groups have formed, particularly in rural, remote, and unprotected areas outside established fire protection boundaries, to support FireSmart objectives, safeguard communities, and assist the BC Wildfire Service when requested or directed, and these groups require appropriate training including, but not limited to, S-100 and S-185 and reliable funding to op

Whereas FortisBCs Public Safety Power Shutoff PSPS will enable the utility to pre-emptively shut down electricity to an area during extreme weather conditions; And whereas residents in rural areas may face risks associated with prolonged power outages, including extreme temperatures, a lack of well water, the loss of perishable food, and no access to communication systems: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask FortisBC and BC Hydro to communicate their plans to local governments around the mitigation of potential risks to residents should the Public Safety Power Shutoff PSPS be implemen