Ministers Rankin, Robinson, Fleming, and Malcolmson highlighted provincial priorities and responded to delegate questions during a Cabinet Townhall on housing earlier today.

A provincial policy session at the Convention Tuesday received an update on old growth deferral areas and the status of the 14 recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review accepted by the Province in 2020.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities presented its 2022 Community Excellence Awards Tuesday during the UBCM convention. 

Ottawa based journalist Althia Raj addressed delegates in a keynote address today. In a sobering speech, Ms. Raj warned that the intersection between misinformation propagated by social media, vaccine resistance, conspiracy theories and wedge politics are undermining Canada’s political system.

Congratulations to those elected to UBCM Executive in today’s vote. Councillor Jen Ford, Resort Municipality of Whistler was elected to President. Mayor Ange Qualizza, City of Fernie was elected First Vice-President, and Councillor Claire Moglove, City of Campbell River was elected Second Vice-President. Elections are underway for Third Vice-President.

UBCM delegates held the first resolutions session at the 2022 UBCM convention. The summary of the decisions during today’s proceedings is available online. Official results will appear in the Convention Minutes.

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart and Vanderhoof Councillor Brian Frenkel introduced an initiative for local governments, Local Leaders for Mental Health (LLMH), to UBCM convention delegates earlier today. They were joined by Kim Mackenzie, Policy Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association who gave an update on mental health priorities and response strategies in the non-profit sector.

Delegates to the 2022 Convention were presented with highlights on the progress local governments have made in advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action at a clinic earlier today. 

Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs delivered an engaging and heartfelt address to delegates earlier today. Minister Cullen announced a $10 million program to support local governments and modern Treaty First Nations by making data available to help inform decisions and assess progress toward reducing emissions and using a climate lens to review actions taken in local land use planning.

In her address to delegates Wednesday, Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Green Party, reflected on meeting in person for the first time since 2019, and reminded delegates that it is a “chance to reconnect” and commented on “how inspiring it is to be among people who are so dedicated to their communities.”