2026

Whereas food banks and community food distribution organizations across British Columbia are experiencing record demand due to rising housing costs, food prices, and affordability pressures; And whereas these organizations provide essential support to residents, families, seniors, workers, students, and vulnerable populations, while operating largely through donations, volunteers, and unstable funding sources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to establish stable, multi-year core operating funding for community food banks and regional food distribution

Whereas UBCM applies evaluation criteria to assist in reviewing and making recommendations to the membership on submitted resolutions; And whereas policies and provincial actions may have differing impacts on rural, remote, and northern communities due to geography, population distribution, and service delivery realities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM, as part of its ongoing review of resolution evaluation practices, explicitly consider rural and remote community impacts when assessing resolutions for recommendation to the membership.

Whereas local governments across British Columbia rely on mission-critical business software to deliver core services, yet many existing systems are costly, fragmented, difficult to integrate, and create long-term vendor lock-in that limits flexibility, transparency, and local control; And whereas local governments share substantially similar operational responsibilities and service delivery needs, creating an opportunity to collaboratively strengthen digital infrastructure that better supports resident with modern, efficient, and accountable public services: Therefore be it resolved that

Whereas local governments across British Columbia are experiencing procurement cost increases for essential municipal goods and services, including construction, mechanical systems, fire apparatus, infrastructure materials, and specialized software, at rates that in some sectors exceed general inflation; And whereas market consolidation and acquisition activity, including private equity investment in sectors serving local governments, may be contributing to reduced competition and increased costs, with potential long-term fiscal implications for municipalities and taxpayers: Therefore be

Whereas the Tourist Accommodation Assessment Relief Act provides preferential assessment relief to certain Class 6 tourist accommodation properties, resulting in reduced assessed values for taxation purposes and corresponding shifts in the property tax burden to other property classes within municipalities and regional districts; And whereas changes in the tourism, housing, and short-term rental landscape since the Acts introduction, together with past UBCM advocacy and subsequent legislative amendments, warrant renewed examination of the Acts ongoing relevance, impacts, and alignment with

Whereas local governments in British Columbia have experienced a growing number of responsibilities transferred or expanded by the Province and federal government without corresponding, sustainable funding, requiring municipalities to absorb additional costs within their existing revenue tools; And whereas property tax remains the primary revenue source available to local governments, and the downloading of provincially driven responsibilities places disproportionate pressure on residential and business property taxpayers, creating inequities and affordability concerns: Therefore be it r

Whereas the Province of British Columbia is implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act DRIPA and undertaking ongoing and future related legislative and policy reforms; And whereas local governments exercise statutory responsibilities for land use planning, infrastructure, and community services that may be affected by provincial legislative and policy changes arising from DRIPA implementation: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia establish early, ongoing, and structured engagement with local government associations to e

Whereas the Province of British Columbia is implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, S.B.C. 2019, c.

Whereas local governments have not been consistently included as formal partners in provincial policy development related to archaeology processes and heritage legislation, despite being responsible for land-use planning, permitting, development approvals, and infrastructure projects, all of which are directly affected by provincial archaeology requirements and the Heritage Conservation Act and Regulations; And whereas the current Heritage Conservation Act is outdated, and the existing archaeology processes and legislation create uncertainty, delays, and cost impacts for local governments,

Whereas the loss of the SquamishCariboo rail line, which may ensue from CN Rails plans announced in July 2025 to terminate its lease, would result in shippers being forced to use highercost truck transport, increased public highway maintenance costs, loss of passenger tourist or commuter rail opportunity, higher GHG emissions, loss of transportation corridor redundancy affecting Western Canada, and constrained regional economic development; And whereas rail discontinuance policies applying to the former BC Rail line do not necessarily account for regional and longterm transportation needs