Old Growth deferrals; LGLA Forum; Decriminalization for personal possession

Old growth deferrals announced

On November 2 the provincial government announced that it would be working in partnership with First Nations to defer the harvest of 2.6 million hectares of BC’s most at-risk old growth forests. Logging deferrals are viewed as a temporary measure – as recommended in the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review - to allow for the development of a new approach to sustainable forest management that prioritizes ecosystem health. Read more

2022 LGLA Forum registration is now open

Registration has opened for the 2002 LGLA Leadership Forum. The event will return to a live venue at the Radisson Hotel in Richmond, February 9-10-11, following on the heels of the Electoral Area Directors Forum. The theme for the 2022 Leadership Forum is “Leadership Under Pressure…Reflections on an Extraordinary Term”. LGLA is pleased to welcome Dr. Bonnie Henry as the keynote speaker. For more information, visit the LGLA website.

Decriminalization for personal possession

In October, the provincial government made a request for an exemption to Health Canada from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize personal possession of illicit substances in BC. UBCM participates on the Decriminalization Core Planning Table and provided feedback on the submission. Local governments also provided feedback at the consultation session held in mid-October.

Evacuation Route Planning application deadline

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund’s Evacuation Route Planning grant deadline is Friday November 19th. This funding stream supports local governments and First Nations in the development of evacuation route plans. Funding is provided in order to identify evacuation risks and routes of egress. It is not intended for road design, construction, or planning how to execute evacuations. The maximum available funding is $25,000.

Proposed Building Code changes for better accessibility

The provincial government is seeking feedback on changes to BC Building Code to improve accessibility in new buildings. Comments are welcome until December 9^th. Information about the BC Building Code accessibility requirements is available on the Building and Safety Standard's website.