With less than a month until the 2023 UBCM Convention, we couldn’t be more excited to gather in beautiful Vancouver. UBCM president Jen Ford, Councillor of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, will preside over this year’s Convention, bringing to a close her one-year term. The incoming president will be installed on the final day of the convention.

We’ve lined up five days of not to be missed speakers, panelists and facilitators for the various pre-Convention sessions, clinics, workshops and plenaries, along with numerous networking opportunities.

Given this year’s convention theme of "Balancing Act", UBCM has also implemented various wellness services for delegates to take advantage of throughout the week including; guided gentle movement and stretch classes, complimentary e-bikes, and a study session based on mindfulness and stress reduction.

UBCM is providing opportunities during Convention week to unwind and take in the views of the city that boasts its picturesque setting.

For more information on these services please visit our Wellness webpage.

The 2023 UBCM Annual Report and Financials have been published. After a busy year, this report proudly details the accomplishments and significant work undertaken by UBCM on behalf of its members.

We’re a small footprint - high output organization that concentrates our resources on efficient program delivery and effective advocacy. In addition to summaries of Executive and Committee accomplishments, the report provides information on member programs and services including Local Government Program Services and the Canada Community-Building Fund (Gas Tax) program. The Annual Report also includes UBCM’s audited Financial Statements.

The Report will be considered during the

Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 20th at 9:00am directly following the Convention Opening Session in Exhibit Hall A, Vancouver Convention Center.

The 178-page UBCM Resolutions Book is now available online and includes 202 resolutions received from the members by the June 30 deadline. The UBCM Executive are putting forward one Extraordinary Resolutions (ER) and two Special Resolutions (SR) for consideration. This makes a total of 205 resolutions that address a wide range of issues affecting BC communities.

Three resolutions sessions are scheduled in the Convention Program, the mornings of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We look forward to the debate the policy direction that our members will set.

Please take the time to review the resolutions and Resolutions Committee Comments. Please also take the time to review the Conference Rules and Procedures for Handling Resolutions, which begins on page 5 of the Resolutions Book. These Rules outline how the resolutions debate will proceed.

As well, the UBCM Resolutions Book contains a Report on UBCM Resolutions Process Review in Appendix A, which begins on page 173. The Resolutions Committee will present the Report during the Thursday morning resolutions session. The purpose of this report is to present an overview of the resolutions process review to-date and to survey membership for their feedback. The Report contains five questions which we will ask members to vote on Thursday morning. The results of the survey will help the Resolutions Committee to gauge whether there is member support to make changes to the resolutions process, and if so, in what areas.

The UBCM Policy Book will be made available the evening of Sunday, September 17. Once ready, it will be posted to the UBCM web site as well as the Convention App. The Policy Book will contain any late resolutions received from the membership as well as a budget document. Policy Book will be considered during the Friday morning resolutions session.

Once again, the UBCM Resolutions Book and Policy Book will not be available in print. If you wish to have a printed copy, please make one prior to coming on-site to Convention.

The perspective of each and every local government matters, so join us in having your say! Register today for Convention and plan to attend the resolutions sessions.

UBCM would like to recognize and thank the sponsors for their continued support. Sponsorships help reduce the cost to deliver the convention, thereby reducing the registration costs and lowering barriers for local governments to attend.

When planning your in-person schedule and on-line screen time through the Convention Event App, please set aside dedicated time to visit our Exhibitors in the Vancouver Convention Center, as well as to click through to the virtual Sponsor Profiles features in the Event App.

Visit the 2023 Convention page on ubcm.ca for updates including this year’s Convention Program, Bulletins and FAQ, plus Provincial Appointment Desk details, and more. Please contribute and share by using #UBCM23 on your social media channels.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The Compass to receive weekly news from the Union of BC Municipalities. During convention week, daily highlights, announcements and key decisions are published in The Compass – Special Convention Edition. To ensure breaking convention news lands in your inbox, subscribe to get on this email list.