March 10, 2021
Province tightening campaign finance rules

On March 3, 2021, Municipal Affairs Minister Josie Osborne introduced Bill 9 to address campaign finance issues identified during the 2018 local elections. UBCM President Brian Frenkel expressed support for the Bill noting the proposed amendments directly respond to concerns raised by UBCM in resolution 2020-SR3, Local Government Election Financing, endorsed at the 2020 Convention. Read more
Development Approvals program underway

The Local Government Development Approvals program is now receiving applications. This program supports the implementation of established best practices and the testing of innovative approaches to development approvals processes. Read more
Police Act Special Committee seeks input

The Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act is now accepting written, audio and video submissions regarding policing and public safety. Interested parties have until April 30, 2021 to submit feedback via the Special Committee’s consultation portal. The Special Committee, following its review of the submissions, may seek to invite select stakeholders to deliver presentations. Read more
Single-use plastics bylaw webinar

The Ministry of Environment will host a webinar on March 25th on the development of a draft regulation that will detail how municipalities may prohibit and impose requirements on specific single-use plastics. Read more
Medical cannabis production

Health Canada is currently developing a guidance document to address the misuse of the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Program, while also maintaining access for eligible individuals. Interested stakeholders, including local governments, are invited to provide feedback regarding a recently released draft guidance document by May 7, 2021. Read more
Railway crossings compliance

The Province of British Columbia has adopted the federal Grade Crossings Regulation and Grade Crossings Standards, which came into effect in 2014. In light of impacts from COVID-19, the Province has extended the timeline for municipalities and provincial railways to bring their existing grade crossings into compliance. Read more
Management of invasive rabbits

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is contemplating amendments to the Wildlife Act Designation and Exemption Regulation to improve the management of non-native, invasive rabbit populations (Eastern cottontail and European rabbit). Read more