Over 200 delegates have registered for UBCM’s housing summit Housing BC Together, to be held April 4-5 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver. Housing BC Together will tackle the most challenging issues at the root of the current crisis by drawing on the expertise of government, industry, not-for-profit and Indigenous leaders to identify ways forward. As we finalize our panellists and keynote speakers for our wide-ranging agenda, we are extending our early-bird registration to March 3rd for those planning to attend. Watch this space for detailed information each week in the lead-up to the summit.

Registration for the Regional District CAO and Chair Forum is now open. The event will be held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC, on March 28 (afternoon) and March 29 (morning). Please register by March 21, 2023.

Update on RCMP Collective Agreement

With the first RCMP Collective Agreement set to expire on March 31, 2023, the National Police Federation (representing RCMP members) and Federal Treasury Board have recently begun negotiating the second Collective Agreement. Local governments continue to await a decision regarding the payment of retroactive costs, while also seeking improved engagement and communication concerning the current bargaining process.

Local government concerns with medical cannabis conveyed

In January, UBCM’s Cannabis Policy Technical Working Group met with Health Canada regarding the personal and dedicated production of medical cannabis and associated local government concerns. Following this discussion, Health Canada has advised of an opportunity for other local governments to request similar meetings.

Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events, and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations.

UBCM is seeking expressions of interest from local government elected officials or staff to represent UBCM on the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee. Interested candidates can submit a resume, outlining relevant experience, to UBCM staff by March 17th.

Appointments to Policing Modernization Roundtable

UBCM is seeking to fill two vacancies on the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable (LGPMR). The LGPMR is a forum for local government issues to be raised as part of broader work to research policing issues, explore options and advise the Province on courses of action. Interested elected officials and senior staff members have until March 10, 2023, to apply.