2019

Whereas currently, the Motor Vehicle Act MVA stipulates a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour kmh within city limits; And whereas the probability of pedestrian survival is about 90 if struck by a motor vehicle travelling at 30 kmh, while survival is reduced to 20 if struck by a motor vehicle travelling at 50 kmh; And whereas lower speed limits are more compatible with active transportation, and create safer, better engaged, healthier and more inclusive communities; And whereas in 2015, the BC Road Safety Strategy set out the goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries and d

Whereas local governments are incurring substantial costs in relation to the impacts of climate change, including volatile weather patterns, drought, wildfires, erosion and other impacts; And whereas it is fiscally prudent to recover these costs from corporations that have profited from the burning of fossil fuels, with knowledge that these economic activities contribute to climate change: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM explore the initiation of a class action lawsuit on behalf of member local governments to recover costs arising from climate change from major fossil fuel corporatio

Whereas public libraries are the great equalizers that give people from all socioeconomic backgrounds access to safe spaces where they can access the internet, extensive library collections and library programming; And whereas public libraries in BC are dependent on annual operational grants from the Province of BC; And whereas these grants were subject to significant cuts in 20092010 with no additional funds being allocated toward increased inflationary costs: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of BC to increase annual operating grants for municipal libraries, regio

Whereas municipalities play a central role in anticipating the challenges and opportunities associated with an aging population including transportation, housing, recreational and physical activity programming, social engagement, and the provision of physical infrastructure; And whereas there is broad support from all levels of government, seniors and families, and community stakeholders for the shift away from institutional seivices to supporting older adults to age in place in their own homes and communities; And whereas there is a growing recognition that by supporting the health pro

Whereas single-use items increase waste, are often not recyclable, and have various negative impacts on communities across British Columbia; And whereas several municipalities in British Columbia recently have acted or are in the process of acting to restrict the use of single-use items; And whereas the ability of municipalities to regulate to protect the environment is specifically circumscribed by s. 9 of the Community Charter, S.B.C. 2003, c.

Whereas public libraries support the BC Governments agenda to eliminate poverty, improve access to education, and address social justice in BC; And whereas public libraries require continuous and increasing investment to provide opportunities for life-long learning, build community, and increase equity and social inclusion; And whereas provincial funding for public libraries has remained unchanged since 2009 while costs to deliver services and public demand for library services has increased, demonstrating a regressive approach of shifting cost to municipal property tax payers: Theref

Whereas the Province of British Columbia received 1.4 billion dollars in 2018 from net gaming revenue, earned from lotteries, casinos and online gambling; And whereas the vast majority of local governments do not receive any share of the net gambling revenue realized from their local populations: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM request the Province of British Columbia distribute to all BC local governments a 10 share of the net gambling revenue earned from lotteries and online gambling to all local governments on the basis of population.

Whereas provincial recreation sites and trails are highly valued community assets which are important to the provincial tourism economy and require dedicated, coordinated and ongoing management; And whereas provincial funding provided through recreation sites and trails agreements has been significantly decreasing over the years, while local governments and non-profit community partners are becoming increasingly challenged to adequately manage the ongoing maintenance, operation and service demands required due to a lack of resources: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial governmen

Whereas the Province of BC is undertaking a Coast Forest Sector Revitalization Initiative to rebuild solid wood and associated industries, improve harvest performance, maintain a credible auction system, foster stronger relationships between BC Timber Sales, Licensees and First Nations and restore public confidence though amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act; And whereas forests offer provisioning services such as timber, food and fuels; regulating services such as carbon sequestration that keep our planet habitable; cultural services such as recreation; core local government s

Whereas regional districts have no regulatory authority for tree cutting except as it relates to environmental hazard protection, while municipalities have broader powers to regulate tree protection; And whereas unincorporated rural areas with high population densities may share similar concerns as municipalities with respect to protecting trees to mitigate potential ecosystem impacts, excessive storm water runoff impacting properties, general neighbourhood feel and control over sightlines, as well as the desire to protect certain species of trees: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge