Summit Session: Canada's housing minister Sean Fraser will address local governments at Housing Summit

Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Sean Fraser, will give an address in person to local governments at the 2024 UBCM Housing Summit, and take questions from local elected officials. The Wednesday afternoon session will provide a federal voice to the multi-government challenges surrounding BC’s housing crisis.

Pre-registration for in-person attendees at the Housing Summit closes at 4:30 PM today, February 7. 

Delegates are welcome to register in person at the Westin Bayshore. On-site registration will be open 7:30 AM until the end of the program day on February 13 and 14. For virtual attendees, online registration will remain open.

Summit Session: Population Growth and Housing

British Columbia anticipates an unprecedented level of growth over the coming years, with close to 1 million new residents arriving over the next eight years. Given the already highly pressurized housing system in BC, accommodating growth will require an enormous output of market and non-market housing. This Wednesday morning session will dig into the data and projections of the recent report Sustaining Growth by BC Stats, and explore the implications of this growth for housing development in B.C.’s communities. The panellists for this session are:

•   Hayden Lansdell, Assistant Deputy Minister, BC Data Service
•   Braden Batch, Lead Economist BC, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Andy Yan, Director, City Program, Simon Fraser University

Funding and resources update: February 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.

Asset Management Planning program is open for 2024 applications

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Asset Management Planning program. There will be two intakes: May and September.

Registration is now open for the Regional District forum

Registration for the Regional District CAO and Chair Forum is now open. The event will be held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC, March 25 – 26. Please register by March 21, 2023. A room block has been set aside for registrants, that is open until February 23, 2024.

PIBC Peer Learning Network survey and website

The Planning Institute of BC is undertaking work to facilitate peer-to-peer learning concerning housing solutions, emerging practices, and policy developments in support of practitioners working toward implementing the new provincial housing legislation. As part of this initiative, they have established a PIBC peer learning network webpage, and are seeking practitioner input via a short survey prior to 4pm on February 16, 2024. 

Electoral Area Directors Forum presentations are now posted

Thank you to the Electoral Area Directors who attended the Forum last week. Presentations from the Forum have been posted on the UBCM website. Directors who wish to remain in communication with their colleagues can continue to do so on Discord. Feedback on the forum is welcome and can be sent to UBCM staff.