2026

Whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments, the provincial governments financial contribution is also critical to ongoing library operations and the Provinces 14 Million in core funding for BCs 71 library systems has not increased since 2021, even as the population has grown by nearly 30 percent and inflation by more than 35 percent and libraries continue to shoulder growing expectations without the necessary provincial support; And whereas libraries have taken on an ever-expanding role in advancing provincial objectives for community well-being:

Whereas mobile library bookmobile services increase libraries ability to provide an effective and flexible way to deliver literacy programs, written materials, digital access, and community engagement opportunities to underserved populations; And whereas certain individuals face barriers to accessing library resources due to distance from services, and limited local facilities, particularly residents of rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, as well as homebound or mobility-challenged individuals: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to provide stab

Whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments and deliver provincially significant services, including literacy, digital access, workforce support, emergency response, and community well-being programs; And whereas the Provinces annual core funding for public libraries has remained at 14 million since 2010, resulting in a significant decline in per-capita support due to population growth and inflation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of British Columbia to increase annual core operating funding for public libraries to reflec

Whereas the Province of British Columbia recognizes the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples, as outlined in the Constitution Act of 1982, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP; And whereas meaningful collaboration and engagement between municipal governments and First Nations are essential for fostering mutual respect, understanding, and shared decision-making in matters affecting local communities; And whereas the lack of a consistent and formalized framework for intergovernmental relations has led to challenges in communication, resource sharing

Whereas the BC Building Code has incorporated the BC Energy Step Code, which sets increasingly stringent energy efficiency and greenhouse gas GHG reduction requirements for new buildings and major renovations, effectively limiting the current uses and eliminating the future uses of natural gas as a fuel in areas of BC that use the BC Building Code; And whereas many local governments, including those with significant agricultural, industrial, and rural residential needs, require flexibility and ongoing energy investment to ensure affordable, reliable, and diverse energy options for resident

Whereas statistics show that family violence and intimate partner violence is on the rise in BC, often with tragic consequences; And whereas a variety of agencies and local governments deliver victim services programs in communities with varying degrees of expertise and resources; And whereas the funding formula for victim services is built around population and does not take into consideration the absence of a community based program, resulting in the responsibility falling on local police-based programs and additional responsibilities falling to committees: Therefore be it resolved tha

Whereas the Government of British Columbia Speculation and Vacancy Tax SVT has proven effective in turning vacant homes into housing for people in British Columbia and ensuring that foreign owners, and those with primarily foreign income, contribute fairly to BCs tax system, so much so that the province has continued to expand the original Speculation and Vacancy Tax program to encompass more municipalities; And whereas the current Speculation and Vacancy Tax structure only applies to select municipalities, pushing the problems caused by speculation and properties left vacant into areas no

Whereas British Columbia is facing ongoing challenges related to housing affordability, supply, and policy coordination across the province; And whereas the complexity and scale of the housing situation have highlighted the need for meaningful, ongoing consultation with stakeholders who are directly involved in housing delivery and policy impacts; And whereas local governments, Indigenous housing organizations, market and nonmarket housing providers, academic experts, and other housing sector stakeholders have emphasized the importance of collaborative, evidence-based housing policy devel

Whereas local governments are committed to implementing provincial legislation aimed at delivering new housing supply and clarifying development contribution to growth-related infrastructure and amenities, and also rely on the Government of British Columbia to directly deliver certain services, including schools, transit, affordable housing, and supportive housing and related services for those living with homelessness, mental health and substance misuse; And whereas City of New Westminster analysis has found the amount of funding necessary to support infrastructure and amenities required

Whereas families across British Columbia are experiencing increasing challenges with food security and food sovereignty due to rising costs, climate impacts, and supply chain vulnerabilities, which disproportionately affect rural, remote, and Indigenous communities; And whereas budget cuts and the loss of provincial agriculture support limit communities ability and resources needed to build resilient, locally controlled food systems: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM requests the Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to invest in policy research and fund p