Heading for my seventh and final Association of Vancouver Island & Coastal Communities convention this weekend at the Victoria Convention Centre -- 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19's outbreak and 2021 was virtual. I believe six of us on council will be attending, a full or nearly so representation as is tradition for this and the last council since my first AVICC convention in Powell River in 2019. This turn-out was also the norm for earlier councils and has been encouraged by Mayor Tait at both AVICC and the Union of BC Municipalities convention in the fall.
Just a few of us travel out-of-province annually for the national Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in the early summer (Edmonton this year from June 4-7; I attended FCM in-person the one time in 2019/Quebec City). That makes sense given the significantly higher cost of these trips and the fact that, unlike AVICC and UBCM, it doesn't include resolution voting sessions of potentially direct impact to Sooke and its residents.
That councillors prioritize these events as part of their duties and professional development is occasionally questioned, especially in an election year following passage of a split-vote budget. As I trust this blog has shown through my 2025 AVICC synopsis and posts like this and this, these BC conferences are, in my view, opinion and experience, unmissable working weekends rich with listening, learning and networking opportunities.
Importantly, as noted already, we vote on resolutions that will either proceed to UBCM (i.e., those made this weekend at the regional association level) or to the Province (when passed by a majority at UBCM itself). As local reps, we take this responsibility seriously, entirely apt since its these votes that push local concerns up the food chain to hopefully reshape policy for the good of all our communities. (UBCM resolution bank + 2025 results + provincial response awaited)
With days that can stretch from the 7:30 AM start of workshops to late into the evening, these conventions are intense, immersive and, in my experience, exhausting. Also fun, social, meaningful, uplifting and inspirational. (And a little frustrating, too, since you can't do it all given simultaneous workshops, which is why we all welcome the after-the-fact recordings of certain key seminars.)
Those keyboard warriors who claim these are tax-dollar-burning getaway breaks for fat-cat politicians are simply ignorant (edit: as in “lack of knowledge,” not offered with hostile intent as two readers who've written me have assumed), wrong and to be absolutely expected in a democracy that prizes free speech.
Okay, that said, onwards with my advance prep ...
AVICC membership comprises 54 local governments and First Nations in the Vancouver Island and Coastal BC region, which in turn represent more than 1 million people. This will be the 77th annual convention. Sooke hosted in 2013; aside from occasional years in Campbell River, the host city usually alternates between Nanaimo and Victoria due to the lack of suitably sized convention facilities elsewhere in the region. The Prestige proved somewhat undersized and hence Sooke has not bid again. Powell River was the only other exception. (See the Sooke 2013 program with its thanks to numerous local sponsoring organizations; Shaw TV clip from the 2016 convention focused on the mayor-only session that year + 2017 convention.)
Key 2026 convention reference materials:
* Convention Program
* 2026 AVICC Resolutions Book
* 2026 AVICC Resolutions Book - Appendix in support of Special Resolutions
* 2026 Resolutions Background Information
* 2025 AGM & Convention Draft Minutes
2025/2026 Executive
Councillor Ben Geselbracht, City of Nanaimo, President
Director Vanessa Craig, RD of Nanaimo, 1st Vice President
Councillor Sarah Fowler, Village of Tahsis, 2nd Vice President
Director Trina Isakson, City of Powell River, Director at Large
Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton, City of Courtenay, Director at Large
Councillor Alison MacKenzine, Town of View Royal, Director at Large
Director Penny Cote, Alberni-Clayoquot RD, Past President
Director Donna McMahon, Sunshine Coast RD, Electoral Area Representative
Theresa Dennison, AVICC Executive Coordinator
Vanessa Craig elected as President for 2026/27
Sarah Fowler, 1st Vice-President
Will Cole-Hamilton, Second Vice-President
Highlights from President's Report
- Development of AVICC's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan
- AVICC advocacy continues
- Executive meetings continue with focus on governance amendments
- New Resolutions Database to be launched later this spring. “Following the final resolutions session at this year’s AGM, members will again be surveyed on advocacy and resolutions priorities, and the Executive will hold a dedicated Advocacy Planning meeting early in the new term."
- AVICC virtual sessions on the Cowichan Tribes case and housing corporations for rural housing solutions
- Six educational sessions at this year's conference will be filmed and available after the convention.
Friday
2 PM Official Opening: Provincial Address by TBA (Invitations extended to Premier David Eby, Leader of the Opposition Trevor Halford and UBCM President Cori Ramsay) + Keynote Address: Shachi Kurl, Executive Director, Angus Reid Institute
4:30 PM Fostering Collaborative Governance – Modernizing ICET to Build Systems for Prosperity
- Reference: Island Coastal Economic Trust: 2026 Independent Legislative Review (March 2026).
- Related: ICET First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report (2025)
- Inventory of all ICET-funded projects since its foundation in 2005
- ICET Strategic Plan (updated for 2026/27)
- Impact Report 2025
- Sooke, as a small coastal and arguably rural community, sought inclusion into ICET in 2023 and was rejected on the grounds that we're part of the generally urban Capital Regional District; only the JDF electoral area among south isalnd local governments, qualifies as eligible for $2.2m in annual funding. Interestingly, larger coastal communities as Nanaimo, Courtenay and Comox do qualify. Sooke's CED Officer Gail Scott continues to campaign for our inclusion and council is planning another pitch for membership this year.
<clip from pg. 41 of the review> "Scope: The North Island-Coast Area was originally confined to northern Vancouver Coastal and the Sunshine Coast, defined by boundaries of the relevant regional districts. Expansion: It has since been expanded to include most of Vancouver Coastal, excluding the Capital Regional District (with the exceptions of Salt Spring Coastal, Juan de Fuca Electoral District, and First Nations’ reserve lands within the CRD. It continues to exclude some small rural communities on the South Coastal, such as Sooke."
Saturday
* Partnering on Vancouver Island Healthcare Recruitment (7:30AM, Saturday)
"How housing, transportation information and community navigation can help shape a compelling and supportive experience for prospective recruits and their families." [Sooke's Urgent & Primary Care Centre will require staff recruitment, helped by the fact that 14 apartments in the residences upstairs are reserved for health professionals.]
- Kent Flint, Executive Director, HR, Island Health
- Kara Ronse, Workforce Strategy, Island Health
- Damian Lange, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
- Pat Deakin, Economic Development Manager, Port Alberni
- Rudy Terpstra, Qualicum SD 69
* Annual Meeting (8:30AM)
* Resolutions Session #1 (9AM)
* UBCM Governance Review Update (10:30AM, Saturday)
- Gary MacIsaac, Executive Director, UBCM
- UBCM Governance Review backgrounder <clip> "In response to recent questions on representation, the evolution of local government in BC, and the ongoing desire to optimize the governing body’s legitimacy and relevance to membership, UBCM is undertaking a Governance Review focused on the composition of the Executive. The Review is also considering Resolution NEB14-2024, Union of BC Municipalities Name Change. This resolution seeks to change the UBCM name to be more reflective of the diversity of local government types."
- UBCM Current Issues page: Heritage Conservation Act, US tariffs and the trade war
- My UBCM 2025 blog
* Resolution Session #2 (11AM)
* Troubled Waters – Select Topics in Local Government Regulation of Activities In and Around Waterways
(1:30PM, Saturday) [Timely for Sooke councillors given our new Development Permit Area guidelines.]
- David Giroday and Sophie Marshall, Associate Lawyers, Young Anderson
- "Topics discussed will include the removal of abandoned vessels, the regulation of foreshore construction and liveaboards, watershed maintenance on forest lands and flood mitigation planning."
- Young Anderson newsletter archive + March, 2023 article on riparian areas + Official Community Plans
* AI Adoption for Local Government (1:30 PM, Saturday)
- "Explores the roles councils play in setting direction, establishing oversight and ensuring that AI adoption adds value while remaining safe and aligned with community values."
- DJ Levy and Kim Arsenault, Alpha IT, Vancouver
- Geoff Linton, IT consultant, Canadian Marketing Association
- Municipal World magazine technology archive
- Province of BC policy on use of generative AI (2025) + Draft AI responsible use principles
* Permissive Tax Exemptions, Grants, and More: Good Practice (1:30PM, Saturday)
- How exemptions, community grants, service agreements and fee waivers support community development
- Trina Isakson, Councillor, City of Powell River
* Cowichan Tribes Case: Implications for Local Government (3PM, Saturday)
- Discussion of the impact of the case on municipal and regional district governance, taxation and intergovernmental affairs. The panel will present advice, recommendations and best practices arising from the case on several matters, including: Balanced and fair interpretation of the court decision; Local government negotiations with First Nations (for example: MOUs, service agreements, partnerships); Land use decisions by boards and councils; Implications for local government recognition and reconciliation efforts; Impacts on fee simple title of local governments, including lands acquired by Crown grant or tax sales; Identifying potentially relevant unceded lands in your municipality or region; and appeals processes and ongoing coexistence negotiations in Canada and BC.
- John Jack, Huu-ay-aht First Nations
- Don Lidstone, Lawyer
- Robert Janes, Lawyer
- Will Cole-Hamilton, Councillor, City of Courtenay
* How Do We Solve a Problem Like Engagement? (3PM, Saturday)
- Introducing the Community Assembly Network, launched by a team led by former Green BC leader Sonia Furstenau ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Intention: Improving public participation in light of Bill 44 (which cancels the public hearing process for OCP-aligned land decisions), low turn-out, vocal minorities who drown out the silent majority, etc. "We believe in deliberative democracy. People in the community talk, learn, and consider together before making decisions. When a community faces a tough problem, deliberating as a group creates solutions that really work." + Assemble BC initiative + Example: North Cowichan-Duncan Citizen's Assembly (2017)
- Sonia Fursteneau, Co-Founder, CAN
- Maeve Maguire, Co-Founder, CAN
- Dr. Aftab Erfan, SFU Centre for Dialogue
- Susan Kim, Councillor, City of Victoria
- Simon Pek, Gustavson School of Business
* The Future of Forestry on Vancouver Island & Coastal B.C. (3PM, Saturday)
- Mayor Rob Douglas, North Cowichan
- Geoff Dawe, Public and Private Workers of Canada
- Chris McGourlick, Operations Manager, Forest Enhancement Society of BC
- Klay Tindall, GM, Lil'wat Forestry Ventures
Sunday
- Opening Remarks (8:30AM)
- FCM Update (8:45AM)
- Island Coastal Economic Trust Update (9AM)
- Green Party leader Emily Lowen (10:30AM; other party reps invited but unconfirmed)
- Resolutions Session #3 (10:45AM)
- AVICC President's Address and Advocacy Update (11:40AM)
- Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild Canadian Prosperity (9:05AM, Sunday)
- Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns Member Advocate based in Delta.
- Strong Towns is a US based non-profit "We seek to replace America’s postwar pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable and inviting. We work to elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments."
- Strong Towns 2025 Annual Report
- Local Government Case Studies and Examples Blurb: "Why are so many cities and towns across North America going broke? Our roads are deteriorating and local governments are struggling to keep up. No matter how much we increase them, our taxes aren’t enough to fix it all. This isn’t just about numbers on a budget. This is about the fate of the communities we love most, and the real people that live there. If we want Canadian cities to be strong and resilient, we need to change everything about the way we plan and build our places."
Resolutions
None submitted by Sooke this year; we approved one for presentation at last year's resolutions session (staffing increases at the Human Rights Tribunal for timelier resolution of complaints); two late resolutions from Sooke council (E-Comm funding and cel phone levies) were not admitted off the floor for debate at AVICC (along with all such late resolutions). All three, however, were approved at UBCM and moved forward to the Province. Parliamentarian: Claire Moglove
Extraordinary Special Resolutions by the AVICC Executive
ER1 Extraordinary Special Resolution to Repeal and Replace AVICC Bylaws (Schedule A).
ER2 Extraordinary Special Resolution to Repeal and Replace AVICC Bylaws should ER1 not be Endorse (Schedule B)
Bylaw amendments to include one new board members - one TBD and a rep from the Capital Regional District ("which represents almost 50% of the population of residents in the AVICC region, and contributed 44% of the Association’s dues in 2025"). Debate: CRD is one of 11 regional districts within AVICC, and its elected reps can run for office. And yet the CRD has been chronically underrepresented on the AVICC executive. All in favour of growing the executive by one. Result: ER1 failed, ER 2 - amendment to add 3 members, failed. $3k costs per member. ER2 passed unanimously.
Regional Special Resolution - No Recommendation
R1 Community Economic Development: Energy Certainty to Support Long-term Economic Development and Resource Sector Modernization (Campbell River)
"Urge the Province of British Columbia, BC Hydro, FortisBC, and the British Columbia Utilities Commission to collaborate with local governments, First Nations, and industry to ensure long-term energy certainty for Vancouver Island by: • immediately convening and resourcing formal energy roundtables to address urgent energy supply constraints, assess interim and long‑term solutions, and prevent further loss of investment and economic activity in Vancouver Island and coastal communities; • recognizing the importance of local, dispatch-able, and redundant energy generation— and the critical role of existing facilities such as Island Generation—in supporting economic development, grid reliability, and industrial modernization; • ensuring that long-term energy planning and contracting decisions consider the economic development needs of AVICC communities alongside the timelines for new renewable energy projects to come online; and • supporting interim energy solutions that allow resource industries and new investments to remain, modernize, and grow in coastal and island communities while Indigenous-led renewable projects advance to completion." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be too regional in focus for the UBCM membership."
Result: BC Hydro is doing this forecasting work already - Resolution failed.
Part 2: Endorsed by AVICC Executive Resolutions (Block Vote) - CARRIED
HOUSING
R2 Supportive Housing Residential Tenancy Act Amendments (Duncan)
"Urge the Province of British Columbia to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to ensure supportive housing operators have clear, proportionate, and transparent authority to enforce Good Neighbour Agreements in a manner focused on safety of residents and staff, early intervention, housing stability, and positive relationships with neighbouring communities."
COMMUNITY SAFETY
R3 Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative (Duncan)
"Call on the Province to implement the Chronic Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative province-wide."
"Initiative is being piloted in Kelowna, Nanaimo and Nelson to address property crime and public disorder. "This new program will help to stop chronic property crime offenders, which will save businesses the expense of the costs of crimes like shoplifting and vandalism,” Minister Krieger said. “By targeting, monitoring and addressing key repeat offenders of crimes and disorder, we’re going to help make our streets safer for everyone in these cities.” Each community has identified five individuals whose persistent disorder, theft and vandalism have affected public spaces and local businesses. The Chronic Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative’s (C-POII) co-ordinated model will provide enhanced monitoring, enforcement and supports to address public safety concerns that are impacting communities." - Solicitor General press release, December 2025
R4 Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund (Parksville)
"(i) Establish a Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund to cover the cost of provincially mandated training for volunteer and composite fire departments across the Province; and (ii) Encourage sustainable cost sharing options whereby the Province covers a baseline percentage of training costs and local governments contribute a predictable matching share." Resolutions Committee reality check: "Since 2019, the Province has provided funding for training and equipment for volunteer and composite fire departments through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. However, the last intake for this program was in 2025 and there are currently no additional funds available to continue the program."
LAND USE
R5 Strengthening the Administration of BC’s Private Managed Forest Land Program (Cowichan Valley RD)
"Strengthen protection of water, fish habitat, and streamside vegetation, including clearer standards and timely reforestation requirements."
R6 Ministry of Forests Binding Materials (Zeballos)
"Request that the Ministry of Forests include funding for topping materials, binding fines, and full surface stabilization as required components of all Forest Service Road major maintenance projects and industrial user maintenance requirements."
R7 Raw Log Exports (Nanaimo)
"Call on the provincial and federal governments to ban the export of raw logs and lumber cants from BC to ensure that forests harvested in BC from crown land and private managed forest lands are processed in BC, encouraging value-added manufacturing in BC and supporting employment in BC’s forest industry, and that BC mills are supported in a transition to utilize a full spectrum of marketable tree species." Committee notes that similar resolutions have been adopted since 2016, i.e., "The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2018-B46, which called on the Province to prohibit raw log export from British Columbia without provincial wood processing needs and capacity being evaluated and met."
Part 3: No Recommendation or Not Endorsed
HOUSING
R8 Scaling Building Code Requirements (Nanaimo RD)
"That the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada engage a qualified, independent third party to undertake a cost-benefit review of the Building Code’s impacts on affordability, safety, and energy efficiency for single storey residential homes and accessory buildings under 1000 ft2/93 m2 and investigate the potential for a simplified rural building standard/alternative compliance pathway for small homes under 1000 ft2/93 m2 that meets safety, climate, and seismic resilience requirements in a less complex and therefore more affordable way, while still ensuring safety."
"The Committee notes that the membership has supported resolutions addressing smaller residential homes, including: • 2025-NR40 which sought, in part, to revisit industry standards such as CSA (Canadian Standards Association), and create a new category specific to moveable tiny homes certified for permanent occupancy that separates tiny homes from motorized vehicles, towable RVs and temporary small trailers; and to create a new category specific to RV’s certified for permanent occupancy; and • 2022-NR64 which sought, in part, the creation of emergency or ad-hoc housing or shelter with on site supports as a short-term use, and including tiny homes, navigation centres, portables, and/or modular housing; and 2022-NR21 which sought to recognize, allow and provide building requirements for tiny homes, and that the Province should incorporate these changes into Part 9 of the BC Building Code that would define tiny houses as allowable permanent dwellings, and thus permit them to be constructed where local government official community plans and zoning bylaws deem them appropriate."
Pro: Smaller footprint homes need a break from requirements applicable to larger homes given costs involved, need for this housing type and affordability crisis. CARRIED
COMMUNITY SAFETY
R9 Provincial Standards, Funding, and Regional Solutions for Police Detention Services (Central Saanich)
"Local police and RCMP services are increasingly being required to detain individuals for extended periods due to limited court transport availability, expanded use of virtual bail, and restricted intake at correctional facilities, resulting in the downloading of court- and correction-related custodial responsibilities onto local police and RCMP services, causing operational strain, staffing pressures, costs, and legal risk." CARRIED
R10 Policing Costs for Communities under 5,000 Population (Lantzville)
"Advocate to the Province to retroactively adjust the 5,000 person policing cost threshold to reflect the same percentage growth as the provincial population since 2007" Committee: "Last year, the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2025-SR2, which requests that the Province and federal government directly involve UBCM and BC local governments, and consider local government priorities, as part of the process to negotiate new RCMP police services agreements. The UBCM Executive brought this resolution forward in anticipation of the start of negotiations for new Police Service Agreements, which are set to expire in 2032. It is understood that the process to renew these agreements could take several years to complete ... In 2020, the Province announced its intent to review the Police Act, subsequently creating the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCRPA). In its final report (2022), the SCRPA recommended that the Province create a fair and equitable funding model for local governments that includes "exploring options to phase in or incrementally increase the municipal share of policing costs."
Debate: Police funding formula revisions as a whole must be explored. Mid-sized communities also are struggling to meet costs. Port Alberni has highest cost per capita for RCMP in BC (where does Sooke stand in this metric?). UBCM Police Act Modernization Roundtable has explored this to a degree. CARRIED
ENVIRONMENT
R11 Soil Relocation Regulations (Oak Bay)
"Review the thresholds for chloride ions in soil to qualify as “Residential Low Density” with consideration of the naturally occurring chloride elements that are higher in municipalities areas close to the Pacific Ocean." Unintended consequences of new regulation. Significant cost and time delays. CARRIED
R12 Advocacy to Create Enabling Authorities Allowing Local Governments to Regulate Carbon Pollution from Existing Buildings (Victoria)
"Whereas local governments (except Vancouver, under its Charter) currently lack authority to regulate the emissions from existing buildings, and in many cases have struggled to reduce emissions from the built environment and meet their own emissions reduction targets ... therefore request that the Province create enabling authorities that would allow local governments to regulate GHG emissions from existing buildings." (similar resolutions date from 2006). Debate: Desire to meet GHG targets. Zero Carbon Step Code is well met across the Province, but the elephant in room is existing buildings. Vancouver has a building performance standard supported by industry. Rebates and incentives for retrofits - 10-year tax exemption in a pilot program in Victoria. This is about communities able to make their own decisions. Gives optional authority. Vancouver has this power, and we don’t.
FINANCE
R13 Streamlining the Municipal and Regional District Tax Program Renewal Process (Nanaimo)
"Remove the requirement for an Accommodation Sector in Support of MRDT Form when applications are being renewed, given the impact that MRDT funding has across numerous sectors in a community and the increased risk to established programs and projects should accommodation sector support not be obtained during the renewal process."
LAND USE
R14 Improvement District Governance: Policy Statement 2006 (qathet RD)
"Modernize the Improvement District Governance: Policy Statement (2006) to remove structural financial barriers to the sustainability and orderly transition of improvement districts."
R15 Agricultural Land Reserve Residential Flexibility (qathet RD)
"Whereas the current Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA) and ALR Use Regulations limit residential development to: • a principal residence up to 500 m2 total floor area; • a secondary suite within that principal residence, and; • an additional residence up to 90 m2 total floor area for parcels 40 ha or less, or up to 186 m2 for parcels larger than 40 ha. ... and this can result in development that is inconsistent with the purpose of ALR when considering alterations to existing structures."
R16 Community Supported Agriculture Incentive Program (Metchosin)
"Request that the Province in collaboration with local governments, First Nations, and agricultural stakeholders, develop and implement a provincial Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) incentive program modelled on
the Nova Scotia Loyal Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Incentive Pilot Program, which provides a consumer incentive for purchasing CSA shares directly from local farmers while reimbursing participating producers,
strengthening local food systems and farm viability." + Nova Scotia CSA FAQ
TRANSPORTATION
R17 Prince Rupert–Alaska Ferry Terminal Reinstatement (North Coast RD)
"Whereas the closure of the Prince Rupert-Alaska Ferry Terminal in 2019 significantly reduced economic activity and cross-border connectivity for the community and region ..." + CBC News 2026 update
R18 Updates to the BC Motor Vehicle Act (Nanaimo)
"Update the BC Motor Vehicle Act and associated regulations and design guidelines to include design standards and regulation which align with the BC Active Transportation Design Guide and best practices + consult with municipalities as part of the update process, providing the opportunity to bring forward suggestions for additional improvements based on current challenges, community needs and public input."
R19 Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters in Bike-and-Roll Mobility Lanes and Routes (Victoria)
"That the provincial Motor Vehicle Act and regulations be updated to allow the use of wheelchairs and 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters on bike lanes and traffic calmed bike routes across BC." + Times Colonist article, Feb. 6, 2026
ASSESSMENT
R20 Split Tax Classification for Short-Term Rentals Based on Floor Area (Tofino)
"Whereas short-term rental residential properties have reduced housing supply for long-term residents, which is supported by the current tax classification rules restricting split classification of residential properties even when operating a commercial business, creating a need for fair and practical taxation based on actual use ... therefore amend legislation to allow split tax classification of residential properties operating a short-term rental based on the actual floor area contributing to the short-term rental operations." + 2017 resolution + CBC News, 2025 + Tofino regulations
R21 Fair Property Taxation through Accurate BC Assessment Classifications (Ucluelet)
"Provide local governments with stronger authority and practical tools to review, challenge, and correct property classifications, ensuring equitable taxation and a fair distribution of local fiscal responsibility."
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
R22 Immediate Action Required to Prevent Irreversible Economic Harm (Campbell River)
"Whereas prolonged regulatory delays, inconsistent provincial and federal policy direction and poor intergovernmental coordination are undermining investment and accelerating closures—particularly in forestry and aquaculture—triggering cascading downstream impacts including widespread job losses, business failures, reduced port and transportation activity, housing instability, population out‑migration, weakened supply chains, increased cost‑of‑living pressures, and declining municipal revenues, placing many communities at or near a point of no return; therefore the Province and Ottawa take immediate, coordinated action to restore certainty and predictability to the regulatory environment affecting resource industries." + BC Salmon Farmers advocacy + Campbell River Ec Dev Strategy
SELECTED ISSUES
R23 Rescinding the UBCM Special Resolution 2025-ER1 (North Coast RD)
"Whereas the changes implemented through ER1 represent a fundamental shift in the resolutions framework that may impede the ability of local governments to collectively advance advocacy priorities and respond to evolving concerns: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM reconsider Extraordinary Resolution 2025-ER1 to restore the prior resolutions submission process."
UBCM decision by super-majority (70%) of attendees at last year's convention:
Any Annual Resolution that falls under one or more of the following criteria, as determined by the Resolutions Committee, will be excluded from consideration by the membership at Convention:
• Resolution is existing UBCM policy (as set by the membership endorsing or not endorsing a previous resolution or policy paper);
• Resolution is outside of the scope of BC local governments and member First Nations;
• Resolution is within the scope of BC local governments and member First Nations, but does not meet UBCM criteria for format or clarity; or
* Resolution is regional in focus.
As noted here last fall: "UBCM is swamped annually with entirely meaningful and needed resolutions from local governments, so much so that it is always a drama to get them all heard as allocated time dwindles (Sooke's NR 120 may well be left on the table given its late position in the queue.) The aim here is to remove from consideration any resolutions that align with existing UBCM policy (i.e., most of those in the Endorsed Block, effectively), are regionally focused or fall outside the scope of BC local government and First Nations. Any LG that wishes to renew UBCM attention to an already aligned policy matter can formally request consideration for a floor vote. (The entire Endorsed Block is traditionally passed with a single vote.)"
Part 4: Resolutions affected by UBCM requirement to streamline resolutions
"The following are the resolutions that UBCM has deemed to be captured by one or more of the four criteria as outlined in the Extraordinary Resolution 2025-ER1 Extraordinary Resolution to Amend the UBCM Bylaws to Streamline the Resolutions Process."
Part 4A - Recommendation to Endorse (to be voted on as a block) CARRIED as a block
HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
R24 Access to Affordable Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) (Port Hardy)
"Whereas anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, and timely access to epinephrine auto-injectors (commonly known as EpiPens) is critical for saving lives; And whereas the current cost of EpiPens in British Columbia ranges between $100 and $150, creating a significant financial barrier; therefore the Province should implement a program to provide epinephrine auto-injectors at a nominal cost to residents." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction."
s
FINANCE
R25 Public Library Funding (Powell River)
"Whereas Public Libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments, the Provincial Government's financial contribution is also critical to ongoing library operations and the Province's $14 Million in core funding for BC's 71 library systems has not increased since 2021, even as the population has grown by nearly 30 percent and inflation by more than 35 percent ... more please ($30m)" UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-SR3 (Increased Library Funding from the Province is Overdue, presented by the UBCM Executive and passed unanimously last September)
R26 Exemptions, Income Thresholds and Compliance Support – ALR (Qualicum Beach)
"Properties within the ALR that are not actively farmed should not benefit from exemptions from taxes and fees such as school tax, hospital, regional district, Transit Authority, BC Assessment and municipal financial authority fees; And be it further resolved that the Farming Income Thresholds be reviewed and revised to require higher levels of productive farming to achieve Farm Class status." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolutions 2025-EB59, 2024-NR76, 2024-NR92."
TAXATION
R27 Modernization of Section 644 of the Local Government Act (Ucluelet)
"Whereas Section 644 of the Local Government Act is outdated and fails to include modern communications services—such as cellular, broadband, fiber-optic, and satellite—that increasingly rely on municipal rights-of-way;
Therefore modernize Section 644 by including all modern communications services and adjusting the 1%
revenue cap to ensure fair, sustainable, and predictable funding that reflects true municipal infrastructure costs." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB61." (i.e., "Taxation of Utility Companies" - District of Sooke resolution approved in the UBCM endorsed block last fall.)
TRANSPORTATION
R28 Active Transportation as a Core Ministry Priority (Comox Valley RD)
"Include active transportation as a core Ministry priority in the Ministry of Transportation and Transit mandate letter; review and amend provincial active transportation policies, guidelines, and standards to explicitly address rural and semi-rural road conditions outside of municipalities etc." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB73." (Active Transportation Infrastructure on Rural Highways - Williams Lake)
R29 Interregional Transit (Comox Valley RD)
"Province to bring forward actionable policies and programs, based on the commitment by the provincial government to support interregional transit, and that includes equitable funding provisions for interregional connections that provide reasonable, affordable travel for the general public in both municipal and electoral areas of the province." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB76. ("Small Community Transit Service Fund" - Merritt)
R30 Small Craft Harbour Management and Divestiture (North Coast RD)
"Government of Canada to commit sufficient, long-term funding for the maintenance and public safety of noncore small craft harbours." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NR87."
R31 Cease Divestment Efforts of Remote Port Facilities (Stratcona RD)
"Transport Canada and the federal government to cease further efforts to divest remote port facilities, to continue the National Marine Strategy commitment to ongoing maintenance of remote port facilities." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NR87."
R32 Expansion of Fare Free Youth Transit (Capital Regional District)
"Request that the Province implement a phased expansion of the fare-free youth transit program by increasing eligibility by one year at a time until fare-free transit is available to youth aged 13 through 18." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NEB10."
LEGISLATIVE
R33 Legislative Changes Consultation Process (Zeballos)
"Province to provide a more fulsome consultation process with local governments of all sizes prior to making sweeping legislative changes." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB77." (Provincial Consultation on Legislative Changes - Parksville) CARRIED
ASSESSMENT
R34 Expansion of Strata Accommodation Property Definition (Tofino)
"Amend legislation to expand the definition of Strata Accommodation Property to include strata plans with fewer than twenty units." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-EB91." CARRIED
Part 4 B - No Recommendation or Not Endorse
R35 Framework for Intergovernmental Relations with First Nations (Port Alberni)
"Whereas the lack of a consistent and formalized framework for intergovernmental relations has led to challenges in communication, resource sharing, and coordinated service delivery between First Nations and local governments; therefore advocate to the provincial and federal governments for the establishment of a comprehensive framework for intergovernmental relations with First Nations." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on Executive not endorsed referred resolution 2025-NR83." CARRIED
R36 Short Term Rentals on ALR Land (Alberni-Clayoquot RD)
"Request an exemption to the Short Term Rental Accommodations Act for ALR properties that are in compliance with the Agricultural Land Commission Act and Regulations and local government bylaws for agri-tourism accommodation." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on Executive not endorsed referred resolution 2025-NR87." CARRIED
R37 Student Food Security Grant (Oak Bay)
"Advocate to the Honourable Minister Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, to provide funding support to BC post-secondary student unions, by establishing a food security grant, equivalent to $1.50 per student, to address student food insecurity as evidenced by the increased use of postsecondary campus food banks." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." CARRIED
R38 Post-Secondary Affordability (Victoria)
"Request that the Province implement all 15 policy solutions identified in the Student Issues Backgrounder 2025." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." CARRIED
R39 CC-130H Hercules Fleet (Alberni-Clayoquot RD)
"Request that the Province collaborate with the Government of Canada to: 1. Partner with First Nations and the private sector to retrofit a portion of Canada’s retired CC‑130H Hercules fleet into large air tankers for wildfire suppression in Canada. 2. Deploy these aircraft as part of a strengthened national wildfire response capacity, to be shared with provinces and territories and, where appropriate, used for international humanitarian and emergency missions. Consider that the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre assist in managing deployment under a transparent cost‑sharing framework, with initial operating capability by the 2027 wildfire season. 3. Prioritize this made‑in‑Canada solution that leverages Canadian engineering, protects lives and communities, upholds Indigenous rights, and contributes to environmental sustainability." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction.". John Jack: Establishing strategic air strips to fight wildfires is a federal priority, but what about the equipment itself to respond quickly? Alberni faced two serious wildfires in recent years, water bombers are essential. CARRIED
R40 Student Ferry Fares (Oak Bay)
"Whereas post-secondary students currently pay full adult BC Ferries fares, despite facing significant cost-of-living pressures and limited incomes ... therefore advocate to the Honourable Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, for a $10/day flat rate ferry fare pilot program, during non-peak hours, for post-secondary students. UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." BC Ferry fares are a substantial barrier for low-income students, Note that this would be in non-peak hours only. Leonard Kroeg: We should not be significantly supporting privileged students when they are already subsidized and their non-academic peers have to pay full fare. Counter-argument: Post-secondary students are investing in the lifelong good of their communities with their skill sets. Donna: Free fares should be based on a means test. Teal: Hello Ferry reached 400k first-year ridership with 50% student rates. Off-peak ferries sail regardless, why not fill them further? CARRIED
Late Resolutions
LR1 Changes to Provincial Property Tax Deferment Program (Esquimalt)
“Review the recent changes with consideration for the needs of low-income seniors on fixed incomes, including introduction of an income threashold, so that the program continues to support low=income seniors as originally intended.” Fixed incomes under $20k … low-income seniors to stay in their homes, aggressive income threashold must be introduced. Seniors don’t think rationally about their finances. Deferral is fine for the next 20 years. People are in tears as they think about the impacts at 20 years. $45k per person over age 65. These funds are to be paid for by
Massive wealth and equity in these homes. Middle income seniors are carrying a large mortgage. Kevin Murdoch: The Seniors Advocate acknowledges the Province's strategy is to assist seniors in staying in their own homes as long as possible. There is a need for a tiered system that recognizes some seniors are low-income and on fixed incomes. CARRIED.
Just a few of us travel out-of-province annually for the national Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in the early summer (Edmonton this year from June 4-7; I attended FCM in-person the one time in 2019/Quebec City). That makes sense given the significantly higher cost of these trips and the fact that, unlike AVICC and UBCM, it doesn't include resolution voting sessions of potentially direct impact to Sooke and its residents.
That councillors prioritize these events as part of their duties and professional development is occasionally questioned, especially in an election year following passage of a split-vote budget. As I trust this blog has shown through my 2025 AVICC synopsis and posts like this and this, these BC conferences are, in my view, opinion and experience, unmissable working weekends rich with listening, learning and networking opportunities.
Importantly, as noted already, we vote on resolutions that will either proceed to UBCM (i.e., those made this weekend at the regional association level) or to the Province (when passed by a majority at UBCM itself). As local reps, we take this responsibility seriously, entirely apt since its these votes that push local concerns up the food chain to hopefully reshape policy for the good of all our communities. (UBCM resolution bank + 2025 results + provincial response awaited)
With days that can stretch from the 7:30 AM start of workshops to late into the evening, these conventions are intense, immersive and, in my experience, exhausting. Also fun, social, meaningful, uplifting and inspirational. (And a little frustrating, too, since you can't do it all given simultaneous workshops, which is why we all welcome the after-the-fact recordings of certain key seminars.)
Those keyboard warriors who claim these are tax-dollar-burning getaway breaks for fat-cat politicians are simply ignorant (edit: as in “lack of knowledge,” not offered with hostile intent as two readers who've written me have assumed), wrong and to be absolutely expected in a democracy that prizes free speech.
Okay, that said, onwards with my advance prep ...
AVICC membership comprises 54 local governments and First Nations in the Vancouver Island and Coastal BC region, which in turn represent more than 1 million people. This will be the 77th annual convention. Sooke hosted in 2013; aside from occasional years in Campbell River, the host city usually alternates between Nanaimo and Victoria due to the lack of suitably sized convention facilities elsewhere in the region. The Prestige proved somewhat undersized and hence Sooke has not bid again. Powell River was the only other exception. (See the Sooke 2013 program with its thanks to numerous local sponsoring organizations; Shaw TV clip from the 2016 convention focused on the mayor-only session that year + 2017 convention.)
Key 2026 convention reference materials:
* Convention Program
* 2026 AVICC Resolutions Book
* 2026 AVICC Resolutions Book - Appendix in support of Special Resolutions
* 2026 Resolutions Background Information
* 2025 AGM & Convention Draft Minutes
2025/2026 Executive
Councillor Ben Geselbracht, City of Nanaimo, President
Director Vanessa Craig, RD of Nanaimo, 1st Vice President
Councillor Sarah Fowler, Village of Tahsis, 2nd Vice President
Director Trina Isakson, City of Powell River, Director at Large
Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton, City of Courtenay, Director at Large
Councillor Alison MacKenzine, Town of View Royal, Director at Large
Director Penny Cote, Alberni-Clayoquot RD, Past President
Director Donna McMahon, Sunshine Coast RD, Electoral Area Representative
Theresa Dennison, AVICC Executive Coordinator
Vanessa Craig elected as President for 2026/27
Sarah Fowler, 1st Vice-President
Will Cole-Hamilton, Second Vice-President
Highlights from President's Report
- Development of AVICC's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan
- AVICC advocacy continues
- Executive meetings continue with focus on governance amendments
- New Resolutions Database to be launched later this spring. “Following the final resolutions session at this year’s AGM, members will again be surveyed on advocacy and resolutions priorities, and the Executive will hold a dedicated Advocacy Planning meeting early in the new term."
- AVICC virtual sessions on the Cowichan Tribes case and housing corporations for rural housing solutions
- Six educational sessions at this year's conference will be filmed and available after the convention.
Friday
2 PM Official Opening: Provincial Address by TBA (Invitations extended to Premier David Eby, Leader of the Opposition Trevor Halford and UBCM President Cori Ramsay) + Keynote Address: Shachi Kurl, Executive Director, Angus Reid Institute
4:30 PM Fostering Collaborative Governance – Modernizing ICET to Build Systems for Prosperity
- Reference: Island Coastal Economic Trust: 2026 Independent Legislative Review (March 2026).
- Related: ICET First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report (2025)
- Inventory of all ICET-funded projects since its foundation in 2005
- ICET Strategic Plan (updated for 2026/27)
- Impact Report 2025
- Sooke, as a small coastal and arguably rural community, sought inclusion into ICET in 2023 and was rejected on the grounds that we're part of the generally urban Capital Regional District; only the JDF electoral area among south isalnd local governments, qualifies as eligible for $2.2m in annual funding. Interestingly, larger coastal communities as Nanaimo, Courtenay and Comox do qualify. Sooke's CED Officer Gail Scott continues to campaign for our inclusion and council is planning another pitch for membership this year.
<clip from pg. 41 of the review> "Scope: The North Island-Coast Area was originally confined to northern Vancouver Coastal and the Sunshine Coast, defined by boundaries of the relevant regional districts. Expansion: It has since been expanded to include most of Vancouver Coastal, excluding the Capital Regional District (with the exceptions of Salt Spring Coastal, Juan de Fuca Electoral District, and First Nations’ reserve lands within the CRD. It continues to exclude some small rural communities on the South Coastal, such as Sooke."
Saturday
* Partnering on Vancouver Island Healthcare Recruitment (7:30AM, Saturday)
"How housing, transportation information and community navigation can help shape a compelling and supportive experience for prospective recruits and their families." [Sooke's Urgent & Primary Care Centre will require staff recruitment, helped by the fact that 14 apartments in the residences upstairs are reserved for health professionals.]
- Kent Flint, Executive Director, HR, Island Health
- Kara Ronse, Workforce Strategy, Island Health
- Damian Lange, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
- Pat Deakin, Economic Development Manager, Port Alberni
- Rudy Terpstra, Qualicum SD 69
* Annual Meeting (8:30AM)
* Resolutions Session #1 (9AM)
* UBCM Governance Review Update (10:30AM, Saturday)
- Gary MacIsaac, Executive Director, UBCM
- UBCM Governance Review backgrounder <clip> "In response to recent questions on representation, the evolution of local government in BC, and the ongoing desire to optimize the governing body’s legitimacy and relevance to membership, UBCM is undertaking a Governance Review focused on the composition of the Executive. The Review is also considering Resolution NEB14-2024, Union of BC Municipalities Name Change. This resolution seeks to change the UBCM name to be more reflective of the diversity of local government types."
- UBCM Current Issues page: Heritage Conservation Act, US tariffs and the trade war
- My UBCM 2025 blog
* Resolution Session #2 (11AM)
* Troubled Waters – Select Topics in Local Government Regulation of Activities In and Around Waterways
(1:30PM, Saturday) [Timely for Sooke councillors given our new Development Permit Area guidelines.]
- David Giroday and Sophie Marshall, Associate Lawyers, Young Anderson
- "Topics discussed will include the removal of abandoned vessels, the regulation of foreshore construction and liveaboards, watershed maintenance on forest lands and flood mitigation planning."
- Young Anderson newsletter archive + March, 2023 article on riparian areas + Official Community Plans
* AI Adoption for Local Government (1:30 PM, Saturday)
- "Explores the roles councils play in setting direction, establishing oversight and ensuring that AI adoption adds value while remaining safe and aligned with community values."
- DJ Levy and Kim Arsenault, Alpha IT, Vancouver
- Geoff Linton, IT consultant, Canadian Marketing Association
- Municipal World magazine technology archive
- Province of BC policy on use of generative AI (2025) + Draft AI responsible use principles
* Permissive Tax Exemptions, Grants, and More: Good Practice (1:30PM, Saturday)
- How exemptions, community grants, service agreements and fee waivers support community development
- Trina Isakson, Councillor, City of Powell River
* Cowichan Tribes Case: Implications for Local Government (3PM, Saturday)
- Discussion of the impact of the case on municipal and regional district governance, taxation and intergovernmental affairs. The panel will present advice, recommendations and best practices arising from the case on several matters, including: Balanced and fair interpretation of the court decision; Local government negotiations with First Nations (for example: MOUs, service agreements, partnerships); Land use decisions by boards and councils; Implications for local government recognition and reconciliation efforts; Impacts on fee simple title of local governments, including lands acquired by Crown grant or tax sales; Identifying potentially relevant unceded lands in your municipality or region; and appeals processes and ongoing coexistence negotiations in Canada and BC.
- John Jack, Huu-ay-aht First Nations
- Don Lidstone, Lawyer
- Robert Janes, Lawyer
- Will Cole-Hamilton, Councillor, City of Courtenay
* How Do We Solve a Problem Like Engagement? (3PM, Saturday)
- Introducing the Community Assembly Network, launched by a team led by former Green BC leader Sonia Furstenau ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. Intention: Improving public participation in light of Bill 44 (which cancels the public hearing process for OCP-aligned land decisions), low turn-out, vocal minorities who drown out the silent majority, etc. "We believe in deliberative democracy. People in the community talk, learn, and consider together before making decisions. When a community faces a tough problem, deliberating as a group creates solutions that really work." + Assemble BC initiative + Example: North Cowichan-Duncan Citizen's Assembly (2017)
- Sonia Fursteneau, Co-Founder, CAN
- Maeve Maguire, Co-Founder, CAN
- Dr. Aftab Erfan, SFU Centre for Dialogue
- Susan Kim, Councillor, City of Victoria
- Simon Pek, Gustavson School of Business
* The Future of Forestry on Vancouver Island & Coastal B.C. (3PM, Saturday)
- Mayor Rob Douglas, North Cowichan
- Geoff Dawe, Public and Private Workers of Canada
- Chris McGourlick, Operations Manager, Forest Enhancement Society of BC
- Klay Tindall, GM, Lil'wat Forestry Ventures
Sunday
- Opening Remarks (8:30AM)
- FCM Update (8:45AM)
- Island Coastal Economic Trust Update (9AM)
- Green Party leader Emily Lowen (10:30AM; other party reps invited but unconfirmed)
- Resolutions Session #3 (10:45AM)
- AVICC President's Address and Advocacy Update (11:40AM)
- Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild Canadian Prosperity (9:05AM, Sunday)
- Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns Member Advocate based in Delta.
- Strong Towns is a US based non-profit "We seek to replace America’s postwar pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable and inviting. We work to elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments."
- Strong Towns 2025 Annual Report
- Local Government Case Studies and Examples Blurb: "Why are so many cities and towns across North America going broke? Our roads are deteriorating and local governments are struggling to keep up. No matter how much we increase them, our taxes aren’t enough to fix it all. This isn’t just about numbers on a budget. This is about the fate of the communities we love most, and the real people that live there. If we want Canadian cities to be strong and resilient, we need to change everything about the way we plan and build our places."
Resolutions
None submitted by Sooke this year; we approved one for presentation at last year's resolutions session (staffing increases at the Human Rights Tribunal for timelier resolution of complaints); two late resolutions from Sooke council (E-Comm funding and cel phone levies) were not admitted off the floor for debate at AVICC (along with all such late resolutions). All three, however, were approved at UBCM and moved forward to the Province. Parliamentarian: Claire Moglove
Extraordinary Special Resolutions by the AVICC Executive
ER1 Extraordinary Special Resolution to Repeal and Replace AVICC Bylaws (Schedule A).
ER2 Extraordinary Special Resolution to Repeal and Replace AVICC Bylaws should ER1 not be Endorse (Schedule B)
Bylaw amendments to include one new board members - one TBD and a rep from the Capital Regional District ("which represents almost 50% of the population of residents in the AVICC region, and contributed 44% of the Association’s dues in 2025"). Debate: CRD is one of 11 regional districts within AVICC, and its elected reps can run for office. And yet the CRD has been chronically underrepresented on the AVICC executive. All in favour of growing the executive by one. Result: ER1 failed, ER 2 - amendment to add 3 members, failed. $3k costs per member. ER2 passed unanimously.
Regional Special Resolution - No Recommendation
R1 Community Economic Development: Energy Certainty to Support Long-term Economic Development and Resource Sector Modernization (Campbell River)
"Urge the Province of British Columbia, BC Hydro, FortisBC, and the British Columbia Utilities Commission to collaborate with local governments, First Nations, and industry to ensure long-term energy certainty for Vancouver Island by: • immediately convening and resourcing formal energy roundtables to address urgent energy supply constraints, assess interim and long‑term solutions, and prevent further loss of investment and economic activity in Vancouver Island and coastal communities; • recognizing the importance of local, dispatch-able, and redundant energy generation— and the critical role of existing facilities such as Island Generation—in supporting economic development, grid reliability, and industrial modernization; • ensuring that long-term energy planning and contracting decisions consider the economic development needs of AVICC communities alongside the timelines for new renewable energy projects to come online; and • supporting interim energy solutions that allow resource industries and new investments to remain, modernize, and grow in coastal and island communities while Indigenous-led renewable projects advance to completion." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be too regional in focus for the UBCM membership."
Result: BC Hydro is doing this forecasting work already - Resolution failed.
Part 2: Endorsed by AVICC Executive Resolutions (Block Vote) - CARRIED
HOUSING
R2 Supportive Housing Residential Tenancy Act Amendments (Duncan)
"Urge the Province of British Columbia to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to ensure supportive housing operators have clear, proportionate, and transparent authority to enforce Good Neighbour Agreements in a manner focused on safety of residents and staff, early intervention, housing stability, and positive relationships with neighbouring communities."
COMMUNITY SAFETY
R3 Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative (Duncan)
"Call on the Province to implement the Chronic Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative province-wide."
"Initiative is being piloted in Kelowna, Nanaimo and Nelson to address property crime and public disorder. "This new program will help to stop chronic property crime offenders, which will save businesses the expense of the costs of crimes like shoplifting and vandalism,” Minister Krieger said. “By targeting, monitoring and addressing key repeat offenders of crimes and disorder, we’re going to help make our streets safer for everyone in these cities.” Each community has identified five individuals whose persistent disorder, theft and vandalism have affected public spaces and local businesses. The Chronic Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative’s (C-POII) co-ordinated model will provide enhanced monitoring, enforcement and supports to address public safety concerns that are impacting communities." - Solicitor General press release, December 2025
R4 Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund (Parksville)
"(i) Establish a Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund to cover the cost of provincially mandated training for volunteer and composite fire departments across the Province; and (ii) Encourage sustainable cost sharing options whereby the Province covers a baseline percentage of training costs and local governments contribute a predictable matching share." Resolutions Committee reality check: "Since 2019, the Province has provided funding for training and equipment for volunteer and composite fire departments through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. However, the last intake for this program was in 2025 and there are currently no additional funds available to continue the program."
LAND USE
R5 Strengthening the Administration of BC’s Private Managed Forest Land Program (Cowichan Valley RD)
"Strengthen protection of water, fish habitat, and streamside vegetation, including clearer standards and timely reforestation requirements."
R6 Ministry of Forests Binding Materials (Zeballos)
"Request that the Ministry of Forests include funding for topping materials, binding fines, and full surface stabilization as required components of all Forest Service Road major maintenance projects and industrial user maintenance requirements."
R7 Raw Log Exports (Nanaimo)
"Call on the provincial and federal governments to ban the export of raw logs and lumber cants from BC to ensure that forests harvested in BC from crown land and private managed forest lands are processed in BC, encouraging value-added manufacturing in BC and supporting employment in BC’s forest industry, and that BC mills are supported in a transition to utilize a full spectrum of marketable tree species." Committee notes that similar resolutions have been adopted since 2016, i.e., "The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2018-B46, which called on the Province to prohibit raw log export from British Columbia without provincial wood processing needs and capacity being evaluated and met."
Part 3: No Recommendation or Not Endorsed
HOUSING
R8 Scaling Building Code Requirements (Nanaimo RD)
"That the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada engage a qualified, independent third party to undertake a cost-benefit review of the Building Code’s impacts on affordability, safety, and energy efficiency for single storey residential homes and accessory buildings under 1000 ft2/93 m2 and investigate the potential for a simplified rural building standard/alternative compliance pathway for small homes under 1000 ft2/93 m2 that meets safety, climate, and seismic resilience requirements in a less complex and therefore more affordable way, while still ensuring safety."
"The Committee notes that the membership has supported resolutions addressing smaller residential homes, including: • 2025-NR40 which sought, in part, to revisit industry standards such as CSA (Canadian Standards Association), and create a new category specific to moveable tiny homes certified for permanent occupancy that separates tiny homes from motorized vehicles, towable RVs and temporary small trailers; and to create a new category specific to RV’s certified for permanent occupancy; and • 2022-NR64 which sought, in part, the creation of emergency or ad-hoc housing or shelter with on site supports as a short-term use, and including tiny homes, navigation centres, portables, and/or modular housing; and 2022-NR21 which sought to recognize, allow and provide building requirements for tiny homes, and that the Province should incorporate these changes into Part 9 of the BC Building Code that would define tiny houses as allowable permanent dwellings, and thus permit them to be constructed where local government official community plans and zoning bylaws deem them appropriate."
Pro: Smaller footprint homes need a break from requirements applicable to larger homes given costs involved, need for this housing type and affordability crisis. CARRIED
COMMUNITY SAFETY
R9 Provincial Standards, Funding, and Regional Solutions for Police Detention Services (Central Saanich)
"Local police and RCMP services are increasingly being required to detain individuals for extended periods due to limited court transport availability, expanded use of virtual bail, and restricted intake at correctional facilities, resulting in the downloading of court- and correction-related custodial responsibilities onto local police and RCMP services, causing operational strain, staffing pressures, costs, and legal risk." CARRIED
R10 Policing Costs for Communities under 5,000 Population (Lantzville)
"Advocate to the Province to retroactively adjust the 5,000 person policing cost threshold to reflect the same percentage growth as the provincial population since 2007" Committee: "Last year, the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2025-SR2, which requests that the Province and federal government directly involve UBCM and BC local governments, and consider local government priorities, as part of the process to negotiate new RCMP police services agreements. The UBCM Executive brought this resolution forward in anticipation of the start of negotiations for new Police Service Agreements, which are set to expire in 2032. It is understood that the process to renew these agreements could take several years to complete ... In 2020, the Province announced its intent to review the Police Act, subsequently creating the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCRPA). In its final report (2022), the SCRPA recommended that the Province create a fair and equitable funding model for local governments that includes "exploring options to phase in or incrementally increase the municipal share of policing costs."
Debate: Police funding formula revisions as a whole must be explored. Mid-sized communities also are struggling to meet costs. Port Alberni has highest cost per capita for RCMP in BC (where does Sooke stand in this metric?). UBCM Police Act Modernization Roundtable has explored this to a degree. CARRIED
ENVIRONMENT
R11 Soil Relocation Regulations (Oak Bay)
"Review the thresholds for chloride ions in soil to qualify as “Residential Low Density” with consideration of the naturally occurring chloride elements that are higher in municipalities areas close to the Pacific Ocean." Unintended consequences of new regulation. Significant cost and time delays. CARRIED
R12 Advocacy to Create Enabling Authorities Allowing Local Governments to Regulate Carbon Pollution from Existing Buildings (Victoria)
"Whereas local governments (except Vancouver, under its Charter) currently lack authority to regulate the emissions from existing buildings, and in many cases have struggled to reduce emissions from the built environment and meet their own emissions reduction targets ... therefore request that the Province create enabling authorities that would allow local governments to regulate GHG emissions from existing buildings." (similar resolutions date from 2006). Debate: Desire to meet GHG targets. Zero Carbon Step Code is well met across the Province, but the elephant in room is existing buildings. Vancouver has a building performance standard supported by industry. Rebates and incentives for retrofits - 10-year tax exemption in a pilot program in Victoria. This is about communities able to make their own decisions. Gives optional authority. Vancouver has this power, and we don’t.
FINANCE
R13 Streamlining the Municipal and Regional District Tax Program Renewal Process (Nanaimo)
"Remove the requirement for an Accommodation Sector in Support of MRDT Form when applications are being renewed, given the impact that MRDT funding has across numerous sectors in a community and the increased risk to established programs and projects should accommodation sector support not be obtained during the renewal process."
LAND USE
R14 Improvement District Governance: Policy Statement 2006 (qathet RD)
"Modernize the Improvement District Governance: Policy Statement (2006) to remove structural financial barriers to the sustainability and orderly transition of improvement districts."
R15 Agricultural Land Reserve Residential Flexibility (qathet RD)
"Whereas the current Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA) and ALR Use Regulations limit residential development to: • a principal residence up to 500 m2 total floor area; • a secondary suite within that principal residence, and; • an additional residence up to 90 m2 total floor area for parcels 40 ha or less, or up to 186 m2 for parcels larger than 40 ha. ... and this can result in development that is inconsistent with the purpose of ALR when considering alterations to existing structures."
R16 Community Supported Agriculture Incentive Program (Metchosin)
"Request that the Province in collaboration with local governments, First Nations, and agricultural stakeholders, develop and implement a provincial Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) incentive program modelled on
the Nova Scotia Loyal Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Incentive Pilot Program, which provides a consumer incentive for purchasing CSA shares directly from local farmers while reimbursing participating producers,
strengthening local food systems and farm viability." + Nova Scotia CSA FAQ
TRANSPORTATION
R17 Prince Rupert–Alaska Ferry Terminal Reinstatement (North Coast RD)
"Whereas the closure of the Prince Rupert-Alaska Ferry Terminal in 2019 significantly reduced economic activity and cross-border connectivity for the community and region ..." + CBC News 2026 update
R18 Updates to the BC Motor Vehicle Act (Nanaimo)
"Update the BC Motor Vehicle Act and associated regulations and design guidelines to include design standards and regulation which align with the BC Active Transportation Design Guide and best practices + consult with municipalities as part of the update process, providing the opportunity to bring forward suggestions for additional improvements based on current challenges, community needs and public input."
R19 Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters in Bike-and-Roll Mobility Lanes and Routes (Victoria)
"That the provincial Motor Vehicle Act and regulations be updated to allow the use of wheelchairs and 3 and 4 wheel mobility scooters on bike lanes and traffic calmed bike routes across BC." + Times Colonist article, Feb. 6, 2026
ASSESSMENT
R20 Split Tax Classification for Short-Term Rentals Based on Floor Area (Tofino)
"Whereas short-term rental residential properties have reduced housing supply for long-term residents, which is supported by the current tax classification rules restricting split classification of residential properties even when operating a commercial business, creating a need for fair and practical taxation based on actual use ... therefore amend legislation to allow split tax classification of residential properties operating a short-term rental based on the actual floor area contributing to the short-term rental operations." + 2017 resolution + CBC News, 2025 + Tofino regulations
R21 Fair Property Taxation through Accurate BC Assessment Classifications (Ucluelet)
"Provide local governments with stronger authority and practical tools to review, challenge, and correct property classifications, ensuring equitable taxation and a fair distribution of local fiscal responsibility."
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
R22 Immediate Action Required to Prevent Irreversible Economic Harm (Campbell River)
"Whereas prolonged regulatory delays, inconsistent provincial and federal policy direction and poor intergovernmental coordination are undermining investment and accelerating closures—particularly in forestry and aquaculture—triggering cascading downstream impacts including widespread job losses, business failures, reduced port and transportation activity, housing instability, population out‑migration, weakened supply chains, increased cost‑of‑living pressures, and declining municipal revenues, placing many communities at or near a point of no return; therefore the Province and Ottawa take immediate, coordinated action to restore certainty and predictability to the regulatory environment affecting resource industries." + BC Salmon Farmers advocacy + Campbell River Ec Dev Strategy
SELECTED ISSUES
R23 Rescinding the UBCM Special Resolution 2025-ER1 (North Coast RD)
"Whereas the changes implemented through ER1 represent a fundamental shift in the resolutions framework that may impede the ability of local governments to collectively advance advocacy priorities and respond to evolving concerns: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM reconsider Extraordinary Resolution 2025-ER1 to restore the prior resolutions submission process."
UBCM decision by super-majority (70%) of attendees at last year's convention:
Any Annual Resolution that falls under one or more of the following criteria, as determined by the Resolutions Committee, will be excluded from consideration by the membership at Convention:
• Resolution is existing UBCM policy (as set by the membership endorsing or not endorsing a previous resolution or policy paper);
• Resolution is outside of the scope of BC local governments and member First Nations;
• Resolution is within the scope of BC local governments and member First Nations, but does not meet UBCM criteria for format or clarity; or
* Resolution is regional in focus.
As noted here last fall: "UBCM is swamped annually with entirely meaningful and needed resolutions from local governments, so much so that it is always a drama to get them all heard as allocated time dwindles (Sooke's NR 120 may well be left on the table given its late position in the queue.) The aim here is to remove from consideration any resolutions that align with existing UBCM policy (i.e., most of those in the Endorsed Block, effectively), are regionally focused or fall outside the scope of BC local government and First Nations. Any LG that wishes to renew UBCM attention to an already aligned policy matter can formally request consideration for a floor vote. (The entire Endorsed Block is traditionally passed with a single vote.)"
Part 4: Resolutions affected by UBCM requirement to streamline resolutions
"The following are the resolutions that UBCM has deemed to be captured by one or more of the four criteria as outlined in the Extraordinary Resolution 2025-ER1 Extraordinary Resolution to Amend the UBCM Bylaws to Streamline the Resolutions Process."
Part 4A - Recommendation to Endorse (to be voted on as a block) CARRIED as a block
HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
R24 Access to Affordable Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) (Port Hardy)
"Whereas anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, and timely access to epinephrine auto-injectors (commonly known as EpiPens) is critical for saving lives; And whereas the current cost of EpiPens in British Columbia ranges between $100 and $150, creating a significant financial barrier; therefore the Province should implement a program to provide epinephrine auto-injectors at a nominal cost to residents." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction."
s
FINANCE
R25 Public Library Funding (Powell River)
"Whereas Public Libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments, the Provincial Government's financial contribution is also critical to ongoing library operations and the Province's $14 Million in core funding for BC's 71 library systems has not increased since 2021, even as the population has grown by nearly 30 percent and inflation by more than 35 percent ... more please ($30m)" UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-SR3 (Increased Library Funding from the Province is Overdue, presented by the UBCM Executive and passed unanimously last September)
R26 Exemptions, Income Thresholds and Compliance Support – ALR (Qualicum Beach)
"Properties within the ALR that are not actively farmed should not benefit from exemptions from taxes and fees such as school tax, hospital, regional district, Transit Authority, BC Assessment and municipal financial authority fees; And be it further resolved that the Farming Income Thresholds be reviewed and revised to require higher levels of productive farming to achieve Farm Class status." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolutions 2025-EB59, 2024-NR76, 2024-NR92."
TAXATION
R27 Modernization of Section 644 of the Local Government Act (Ucluelet)
"Whereas Section 644 of the Local Government Act is outdated and fails to include modern communications services—such as cellular, broadband, fiber-optic, and satellite—that increasingly rely on municipal rights-of-way;
Therefore modernize Section 644 by including all modern communications services and adjusting the 1%
revenue cap to ensure fair, sustainable, and predictable funding that reflects true municipal infrastructure costs." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB61." (i.e., "Taxation of Utility Companies" - District of Sooke resolution approved in the UBCM endorsed block last fall.)
TRANSPORTATION
R28 Active Transportation as a Core Ministry Priority (Comox Valley RD)
"Include active transportation as a core Ministry priority in the Ministry of Transportation and Transit mandate letter; review and amend provincial active transportation policies, guidelines, and standards to explicitly address rural and semi-rural road conditions outside of municipalities etc." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB73." (Active Transportation Infrastructure on Rural Highways - Williams Lake)
R29 Interregional Transit (Comox Valley RD)
"Province to bring forward actionable policies and programs, based on the commitment by the provincial government to support interregional transit, and that includes equitable funding provisions for interregional connections that provide reasonable, affordable travel for the general public in both municipal and electoral areas of the province." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB76. ("Small Community Transit Service Fund" - Merritt)
R30 Small Craft Harbour Management and Divestiture (North Coast RD)
"Government of Canada to commit sufficient, long-term funding for the maintenance and public safety of noncore small craft harbours." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NR87."
R31 Cease Divestment Efforts of Remote Port Facilities (Stratcona RD)
"Transport Canada and the federal government to cease further efforts to divest remote port facilities, to continue the National Marine Strategy commitment to ongoing maintenance of remote port facilities." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NR87."
R32 Expansion of Fare Free Youth Transit (Capital Regional District)
"Request that the Province implement a phased expansion of the fare-free youth transit program by increasing eligibility by one year at a time until fare-free transit is available to youth aged 13 through 18." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-NEB10."
LEGISLATIVE
R33 Legislative Changes Consultation Process (Zeballos)
"Province to provide a more fulsome consultation process with local governments of all sizes prior to making sweeping legislative changes." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2025-EB77." (Provincial Consultation on Legislative Changes - Parksville) CARRIED
ASSESSMENT
R34 Expansion of Strata Accommodation Property Definition (Tofino)
"Amend legislation to expand the definition of Strata Accommodation Property to include strata plans with fewer than twenty units." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on endorsed resolution 2024-EB91." CARRIED
Part 4 B - No Recommendation or Not Endorse
R35 Framework for Intergovernmental Relations with First Nations (Port Alberni)
"Whereas the lack of a consistent and formalized framework for intergovernmental relations has led to challenges in communication, resource sharing, and coordinated service delivery between First Nations and local governments; therefore advocate to the provincial and federal governments for the establishment of a comprehensive framework for intergovernmental relations with First Nations." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on Executive not endorsed referred resolution 2025-NR83." CARRIED
R36 Short Term Rentals on ALR Land (Alberni-Clayoquot RD)
"Request an exemption to the Short Term Rental Accommodations Act for ALR properties that are in compliance with the Agricultural Land Commission Act and Regulations and local government bylaws for agri-tourism accommodation." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be existing policy based on Executive not endorsed referred resolution 2025-NR87." CARRIED
R37 Student Food Security Grant (Oak Bay)
"Advocate to the Honourable Minister Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, to provide funding support to BC post-secondary student unions, by establishing a food security grant, equivalent to $1.50 per student, to address student food insecurity as evidenced by the increased use of postsecondary campus food banks." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." CARRIED
R38 Post-Secondary Affordability (Victoria)
"Request that the Province implement all 15 policy solutions identified in the Student Issues Backgrounder 2025." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." CARRIED
R39 CC-130H Hercules Fleet (Alberni-Clayoquot RD)
"Request that the Province collaborate with the Government of Canada to: 1. Partner with First Nations and the private sector to retrofit a portion of Canada’s retired CC‑130H Hercules fleet into large air tankers for wildfire suppression in Canada. 2. Deploy these aircraft as part of a strengthened national wildfire response capacity, to be shared with provinces and territories and, where appropriate, used for international humanitarian and emergency missions. Consider that the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre assist in managing deployment under a transparent cost‑sharing framework, with initial operating capability by the 2027 wildfire season. 3. Prioritize this made‑in‑Canada solution that leverages Canadian engineering, protects lives and communities, upholds Indigenous rights, and contributes to environmental sustainability." UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction.". John Jack: Establishing strategic air strips to fight wildfires is a federal priority, but what about the equipment itself to respond quickly? Alberni faced two serious wildfires in recent years, water bombers are essential. CARRIED
R40 Student Ferry Fares (Oak Bay)
"Whereas post-secondary students currently pay full adult BC Ferries fares, despite facing significant cost-of-living pressures and limited incomes ... therefore advocate to the Honourable Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, for a $10/day flat rate ferry fare pilot program, during non-peak hours, for post-secondary students. UBCM Resolutions Committee: "Deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction." BC Ferry fares are a substantial barrier for low-income students, Note that this would be in non-peak hours only. Leonard Kroeg: We should not be significantly supporting privileged students when they are already subsidized and their non-academic peers have to pay full fare. Counter-argument: Post-secondary students are investing in the lifelong good of their communities with their skill sets. Donna: Free fares should be based on a means test. Teal: Hello Ferry reached 400k first-year ridership with 50% student rates. Off-peak ferries sail regardless, why not fill them further? CARRIED
Late Resolutions
LR1 Changes to Provincial Property Tax Deferment Program (Esquimalt)
“Review the recent changes with consideration for the needs of low-income seniors on fixed incomes, including introduction of an income threashold, so that the program continues to support low=income seniors as originally intended.” Fixed incomes under $20k … low-income seniors to stay in their homes, aggressive income threashold must be introduced. Seniors don’t think rationally about their finances. Deferral is fine for the next 20 years. People are in tears as they think about the impacts at 20 years. $45k per person over age 65. These funds are to be paid for by
Massive wealth and equity in these homes. Middle income seniors are carrying a large mortgage. Kevin Murdoch: The Seniors Advocate acknowledges the Province's strategy is to assist seniors in staying in their own homes as long as possible. There is a need for a tiered system that recognizes some seniors are low-income and on fixed incomes. CARRIED.
RSS Feed