2026

Whereas rural residents require timely access to essential healthcare services, which includes the need to increase the number of extended care units within their communities; And whereas reductions in rural medical services have resulted in patients travelling long distances for procedures such as childbirth and minor surgeries, while physician shortages and limited appointment availability increase pressure on emergency departments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government and Regional Health Authorities to restore and expand rural healthcare services, includin

Whereas there is significant and on-going shortages of healthcare professionals in the South Cariboo and across communities in Northern Central Local Government Association NCLGA; And whereas efforts have been made in some healthcare professions, many other healthcare professions need attention for the overall wellbeing of residents in small, rural, and remote location: Therefore be it resolved that the NCLGA, in collaboration with UBCM, advocate to the provincial government for increased educational training seats in any appropriate collegeuniversity; And be it further resolved that NCL

Whereas there is a provincial crisis with lack of health care providers that is even more pronounced in rural BC; And whereas rural BC is at increased risk of closing universities due to low enrollment while additional local availability is urgently required: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to facilitate trainingladdering of health care providers financially and through policy support; And be it further resolved that the Province work with universities in all rural communities to focus on targeted education needs.

Whereas stable access to primary care and community-based medical services is essential to the health and safety of residents, and recruitment and retention challenges in rural and remote communities can lead to service gaps, increased travel for care, and added strain on emergency services; And whereas retaining local doctors requires coordinated action on physician supports, including sustainable workloads, locum coverage, housing availability, clinic operations, and community integration: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to implement and strengthen ret

Whereas municipalities and regional districts are currently engaged in local elections; And whereas elections are taxing on local government capacity and resources, at a time when British Columbia is facing considerable economic and social uncertainty; And whereas in the spirit of a fair, open and transparent democratic system, British Columbia voters deserve the opportunity and respect to have unfettered attention on local issues during local government elections, without being overshadowed by a provincial election: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on senior orders of government

Whereas municipalities and regional districts are currently engaged in local elections; And whereas elections are taxing on local government capacity and resources, at a time when British Columbia is facing considerable economic and social uncertainty; And whereas in the spirit of a fair, open and transparent democratic system, British Columbia voters deserve the opportunity and respect to have unfettered attention on local issues during local government elections, without being overshadowed by a provincial election: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to not trigger

Whereas British Columbias creative sector including music, live events, film, television, visual effects, digital media, and gaming is a major driver of the provincial economy, supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs and contributing over 6.7 billion in GDP annually, yet Canada currently lacks a dedicated immigration stream to attract and retain exceptional creative professionals and cultural entrepreneurs; And whereas other jurisdictions such as Los Angeles and London have successfully leveraged targeted immigration pathways to grow their creative economies, and British Columbia is

Whereas many small rural municipalities face significant financial challenges due to limited tax bases, increasing infrastructure costs, aging transportation assets, and growing service delivery demands; And whereas municipal governments are increasingly required to allocate substantial property tax revenues toward the maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of secondary and local roads and bridges that serve broader regional transportation functions and would otherwise be maintained by the Province in unincorporated areas: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province

Whereas the Municipal and Regional District Tax MRDT provides a critical source of funding for destination marketing organizations DMOs, tourism development, visitor services, and economic development initiatives across British Columbia; and communities hosting major industrial, infrastructure, energy, forestry, mining, and construction projects continue to incur costs associated with tourism promotion, destination development, workforce attraction, and economic diversification; And whereas under the current MRDT framework, accommodations rented for periods exceeding 27 consecutive days a

Whereas British Columbias forests support communities, Indigenous Nations, and are a major sector, and there is increasing recognition that forest management practices, including harvesting, reforestation, fuel management, and landscape planning, are closely linked to wildfire risk, community resilience, ecological health, and the long-term sustainability of the provinces forest economy; And whereas British Columbia has experienced increasingly severe and costly wildfire seasons that have had significant impacts on communities, public health, infrastructure, local economies, ecosystems, an