2026

Whereas extended power outages increasingly affect rural and remote communities due to severe weather events, including windstorms and winter storms, which are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change; And whereas reliable access to warm, safe, and accessible community spaces during extended power outages is critical for public safety, particularly for vulnerable populations including seniors, families with young children, people with disabilities, and residents without secondary heat sources; And whereas current provincial Emergency Management and Climate Readi

Whereas the Northern and Rural Area Homeowner Benefit was repealed effective January 1, 2027; And whereas the repeal of this benefit further diminishes the purchasing power of homeowners in accessing services and supporting daily life thereby impacting housing, health, social and economic well-being of all northern and rural communities; And whereas northern and rural communities face recruitment and retention challenges to support healthy, socially and economically resilient communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to reinstate the Northern and Rural Area Ho

Whereas small residential homes under 1000 ft293 m2 are an important part of British Columbias affordable housing supply and provide entry-level, workforce, and downsizing options for residents in communities of all sizes, and are relied on in rural and remote areas of BC as a primary form of affordable housing; And whereas energy performance and seismic requirements in the BC Building Code are similar across residential building sizes and do not reflect relative risk or provide the same benefits to small homes compared to larger and multi-storey homes, and result in disproportionately inc

Whereas as a result of British Columbias worsening cost-of-living crisis, more people are finding the most affordable home in which to reside is a recreational vehicle RV which are only permitted to remain on-location at RV parks for a short period of time, in most cases a maximum of 6-months, and have no permanent structures or fixtures; And whereas RV owners are not able to sign tenancy agreements with their landlords, only License to Occupy agreements, which do not afford them the same protections or rights as they would be entitled to under the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act and on

Whereas manufactured home communities contribute to housing diversity in communities across British Columbia and provide an important source of affordable home ownership to people on fixed incomes, aging in place, or starting in the housing market, but that homeowners are uniquely vulnerable to displacement and insecurity due to renting the land their homes sit on; And whereas existing provincial legislation, including the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, does not consistently provide homeowners sufficient protections to ensure fair compensation, adequate relocation assistance, or trans

Whereas local governments across British Columbia are responding to increased use of unconventional housing forms, including recreational vehicles, park model trailers, moveable tiny homes, and similar units used for long-term occupancy; And whereas these housing forms do not fit neatly within existing regulatory and servicing frameworks designed for conventional permanent dwellings, creating uncertainty for residents, property owners, local governments, and other regulators; And whereas provincial housing objectives cannot be achieved through land use permissions alone, as water, wastewa

Whereas the Province of British Columbia implemented the Speculation and Vacancy Tax SVT with the stated objective of increasing long-term rental supply and improving housing availability for British Columbians; And whereas the Province has publicly stated that approximately 20,000 homes province-wide have been returned to the long-term rental market as a result of the SVT; And whereas despite the implementation of the SVT, many communities continue to experience persistently low rental vacancy rates andor rising rental costs; And whereas municipal governments require clear, verifiable,

Whereas it is possible for homeowners to rent out a room or secondary suite within their primary residence on a long-term basis, which can help make existing housing supply available to meet local housing needs, and under current Canada Revenue Agency CRA requirements homeowners must track detailed receipts, apportion household expenses, and comply with small-business accounting practices; And whereas the administrative burden associated with these CRA reporting requirements can discourage homeowners from offering or maintaining long-term rental accommodation within their primary residence

Whereas the Province of British Columbia has enacted strengthened short-term rental STR legislation with the stated objectives of reducing housing speculation, increasing long-term rental supply, and improving housing affordability; And whereas local governments are responsible for long-range land use planning, housing needs assessments, infrastructure investment, and many municipalities provide their communities with economic development, and tourism management, all of which rely on accurate, localized housing and accommodation data; And whereas the absence of transparent outcome-based r

Whereas the Government of British Columbia through BC Housing funds temporary, community-based emergency shelter spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness during severe winter weather, typically from October 15 to April 15; And whereas residents of the temporary shelters are displaced once the temporary shelters are shut down annually: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Province and BC Housing for an end to Extreme Weather Response EWR shelters and to convert existing EWR shelters to year-round shelters.