June 2, 2021
UBCM responds to elimination of CARIP funding
 
The Province of BC recently announced this would be the final year for the current CARIP program. Since that time UBCM has heard from many of our members expressing concern about this decision. Recently the UBCM Executive met with Premier Horgan and Minister Osborne as part of Advocacy Days and added the CARIP funding as a discussion item. UBCM President Brian Frenkel followed up with correspondence on May 28th. Read more
Forest Policy Intentions Paper
 
The Province has announced its intentions to modernize forest policy and develop a long-term vision for the sector. The vision is focused on three guiding principles: increased sector participation, enhanced stewardship and sustainability, and a strengthened social contract to give government more control over management of the sector. Read more
Access to broadband funding limited by inaccurate data

Federal funding for improved broadband service in BC communities may rely on data that is inaccurate, limiting the ability of some communities to access this funding. UBCM is working with the Province and Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) to improve the data available for Internet speeds in BC communities, but time is running out for local governments and First Nations to provide input. Read more
Funding & resources update

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. Read more
Call for nominations to UBCM’s Executive

A Call for Nominations has been issued to local elected officials wishing to serve on the 2021-2022 UBCM Executive. The elections and nominations process will be similar to 2020, including that nominations will not be accepted off the floor at the virtual Convention. The deadline for all nominations is Friday, July 30, 2021 at 4:00pm. Please note new rules on candidate videos and campaigning. Read more
UBCM Executive meeting highlights

The UBCM Executive held its quarterly Committee and board meetings virtually over May 18-21. Executive members also met with Cabinet Ministers and MLAs from all parties to share local government perspectives on three priorities - UNDRIP implementation; local government finance; and the response to the mental health and opioid crises - as part of UBCM’s eighth annual Advocacy Days. Read more
Update to BC’s Drought Response Plan

The Province has updated BC’s Drought Response Plan and is implementing a province-wide operational trial of the proposed drought levels during this spring and summer. The updates and trial are a result of recent engagement regarding a proposal to update B.C.’s drought levels. More information, including a short video and What We Heard report, can be found on the dedicated webpage.