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Interim Property Tax Relief Legislation
 
The Province has announced a new interim business property tax relief program to provide an optional tool that would allow municipalities to address the escalating property values experienced by some small businesses and non-profits. Read more 
Advisory Group on Short-Term Rentals   
 
The Province and UBCM have established an Advisory Group on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) to facilitate discussion about the impacts of STRs and tools for addressing them. Information gathered by the group will help inform the Province's consideration of potential policy approaches going forward. Read more 
UBCM Executive Meeting Highlights
 
Executive members met in Victoria over February 19-21 to hold their quarterly Committee and board meetings. Executive members also met with MLAs from all parties to share local government perspectives on local government consultation, local government finance and climate action. Read more 
Input Sought on ALR Residential Flexibility
 
The Ministry of Agriculture is reaching out to local governments that have Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) within their boundaries in order to better understand options for small secondary residences in the ALR. Planning, building and/or bylaw staff are encouraged to engage with the Ministry by telephone or in person.  Meetings are planned to take place from the beginning of March to the first week in April. Read more 
Liquor Policy Working Group 
 
UBCM is seeking new members for its Working Group on Liquor Policy. The Working Group was established following the 2014 liquor policy review, as part of a provincial commitment to work with local governments in the development of liquor policy. It also provides a forum to address local government concerns and feedback on relevant issues. Read more 
Community to Community Forum Funding  
 
Regional Community to Community (C2C) funding is again available this year for First Nations and local governments to gather for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and advance tangible outcomes. Read more 
Asset Management Planning Program   
 
The 2020 Asset Management Planning program has been launched, offering matching grants of up to $15,000.00 in two intakes. The intent of the program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. Read more 
Natural Asset Management 101    
 
Local governments are starting to identify, value and account for natural assets in their financial planning and asset management programs as a means to deliver core services more sustainably. This 1-day course covers the core concepts, the most recent case examples and latest approaches to municipal natural asset management. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Royal Roads University in Colwood.
March 4, 2020
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