Local government news and announcements from UBCM

Advocacy for attainable housing, climate action & community safety

Since May, UBCM Executive members met with over 40 MLAs from all parties including the Premier, 12 ministers, the leader of the Official Opposition, the Leader of the Green party and both caucus chairs to discuss key local government priorities. These meetings focused on attainable housing, climate action and community safety as they relate to the local government finance system.

Stakeholders discuss heat preparedness

With temperatures rising and active heat warnings in many regions of the province, UBCM recently hosted a webinar on heat preparedness. Speakers from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the B.C. Ministry of Health discussed recent events, heat preparedness initiatives and provided a seasonal outlook.

Feedback sought on the overdose and drug toxicity crisis

The provincial government’s Select Standing Committee on Health is currently accepting written submissions for its consultation on the ongoing overdose and drug toxicity crisis. Feedback will be accepted until 3 pm on August 5^th.

Wildfire Act Review

The BC Wildfire Service is assessing provincial wildfire legislation and policy framework to determine whether improvements could be made to better support local governments with preventing human-caused wildfires. Local governments are encouraged to complete the survey.

UBCM Executive meeting highlights

The UBCM Executive held its quarterly Committee and board meetings in Richmond on July 13-15. The July meeting provided closure on a number of year-end matters while establishing direction for the year ahead. In addition to a full slate of Committee meetings, members met with the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

UBCM Executive nominations

A reminder to all UBCM member elected officials: Friday, July 29, 2022, at 4:00 pm is the deadline to respond to the Call for Nominations to serve on the 2022-2023 UBCM Executive.

RCMP Contract Management Committee update

On June 8, 2022 the RCMP Local Government Contract Management Committee met with provincial government and RCMP representatives to discuss issues related to the Municipal Police Unit Agreements and policing more broadly in British Columbia. Key issues discussed at the meeting are summarized in this article.

Community Emergency Preparedness Fund

Program materials for two additional 2022 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund funding streams (Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training, and Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training) are now available.