Local government priorities at the foreground in Provincial meetings

UBCM’s Executive Board met with provincial leaders in Victoria to talk about common challenges local governments are dealing with across the province, with a focus on housing and homelessness, community safety, and infrastructure. Meetings with Premier Eby, Ministers Kahlon, Farnworth, Whiteside, Conroy and more, were an opportunity to discuss the ways these issues are affecting communities across the province, and what action is needed from the Province.

UBCM President Trish Mandewo had this to say:

Summerland’s excellence in asset management a boon for maintenance planning

With Community Excellence Awards coming up (deadline to submit a nomination is May 17, 2024), we checked in with one of last year’s winners to find out how their asset management project is going, and what winning meant for their team.

Funding and resources update: May 2024

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.

BC’s new RCMP Auxiliary Program has started

The RCMP officially launched Tier 3 of the new Auxiliary Program for community policing programs in BC on April 3, 2024. The new program allows provinces and territories to choose between three tiers of auxiliary policing to address local needs and circumstances. British Columbia has elected to implement the most comprehensive level, Tier 3. Local governments seeking to implement the new Auxiliary Program must request to do so through their local RCMP detachment.

Opportunities for input

Advisory committee on Emergency Management Regulations

UBCM and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness have established the Local Government Advisory Committee on EDMA Regulations to inform the development of regulations associated with the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act. Local government elected officials and staff members interested in participating have until May 17, 2024, to apply.

Review underway of Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Transport Canada is conducting a legislative review of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and is inviting input from local governments.

Non-residential waste paper and packaging

The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is seeking input from local governments about desired outcomes and potential policies for non-residential paper waste. A new discussion paper, Preventing Waste in British Columbia: Non-Residential Packaging and Paper Products, will frame the feedback.

Webinar on RCMP Policing Agreements

As a reminder, UBCM and the Province will be hosting a webinar on May 7, 10-11:30 am PDT, regarding the RCMP Municipal Police Unit Agreements. Elected officials and staff are invited to attend the webinar, which will focus on the authorities and responsibilities of municipalities with an MPUA. Registration will remain open until the day of the webinar.

Provincial downloading leading to local government invoices

Local governments are finding new ways to push back against de facto downloading of provincial services, such as pre-hospital health care and shelter spaces. Some have started sending invoices to the Province for expenses like financially supporting shelter spaces, or addressing costs related to homeless encampments.

“We are footing the bill and it’s getting increasingly difficult for local governments to balance the budgets. The issue is not going away, so local governments will be stepping up the pressure to have it addressed,” said UBCM President Trish Mandewo.

Decriminalization needs public safety guidelines, and supports and services

On April 26 the Province announced changes to the decriminalization program. Details are still being worked out with Health Canada, but Premier Eby indicated the Province wants to restrict public consumption while still allowing possession.

“This was a necessary step. From the onset, local governments have been saying that the terms of decriminalization trial did not include realistic guidelines to support public safety and for us, public safety is critical,” Mandewo said. She also reiterated UBCM’s position that along with efforts to destigmatize drug use, there need to be more supports for people who use drugs.