Emergent themes from the 2023 Convention

Local governments approached the UBCM convention this year with the awareness that overlapping crises were requiring urgent attention from the Provincial government.

UBCM delegates endorsed resolutions calling for improved treatment and supports for decriminalization while also identifying additional measures to prohibit consumption in additional areas commonly used by children. 

Many sessions focused on the fallout from the 2023 wildfire season and the exacerbating effects of climate change. The word from one of BC’s lead climatologists is that all the adaptation in the world won’t do us any good if the climate isn’t stabilized by cutting fossil fuel emissions. Delegates endorsed a West Kelowna resolution calling for improved wildfire mitigation funding in advance of the 2024 fire season.

Local government leaders raised a range of questions on pending changes to the housing system in BC during sessions with Minister Kahlon. As the fall legislative session prepares to get underway, local governments will be provided with new details on the Province’s direction. UBCM will be monitoring feedback provided by communities as the various pieces of legislation are tabled.

UBCM’s Executive will be conveying all resolutions endorsed at the Convention to the province and will be incorporating these resolutions into current policies.

Questions and answers with Premier Eby

UBCM closed out the convention with a sit-down interview with Premier Eby that included questions from delegates identified through our upvoting system. The Premier’s reaction to questions on infrastructure funding, Emergency Act implementation and improved supports for those seeking substance use treatment are featured in our video playlist.

Interviews from Convention speakers

Throughout the week we interviewed key speakers on core issues being discussed at the Convention. We have updated our interview playlist to include segments from Premier Eby. In case you missed it, here’s the full playlist from the 2023 UBCM Convention, including:

Premier David Eby on the need for better substance use treatment; the Growing Communities Fund; and financial support for updated Emergency Act implementation

Councillor Brian Frenkel on a resolution calling for the province to conduct an updated forest inventory in light of this year’s fire season.

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart on the impact on local governments as a result of backstopping the BC Ambulance Service.

Leader of the Official Opposition Kevin Falcon on decriminalization and preparing for next year’s fire season.

Minister Bowinn Ma on pending Emergency Act legislation

West Kelowna’s CAO Paul Gipps on getting ready for the 2024 fire season

Provincial research climatologist Colin Mahoney on the impact of climate change on BC’s forests

Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill on the need for better treatment and care support for the decriminalization trial.

Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane of the BC Treaty Commission on the way forward for consultation between local governments and post-treaty first nations.

Delegates endorse 161 resolutions

Delegates deliberated on more than 200 resolutions during the 2023 Convention and voted to endorse 161. Endorsed resolutions include a push for better resources for the toxic drug crisis, more support for the move to decriminalize drug use, a call to update BC’s forests inventory after the 2023 fire season, and more.

These resolutions inform UBCM advocacy and define our policy positions. Resolutions on issues under Provincial jurisdiction will be sent to the Province for a response, which will be shared publicly. View the full list of resolution results, text of each resolution, and eventual Provincial responses on our Resolutions & Responses page.