The annual Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention is April 11-13 in Nanaimo. It was held here in Sooke once (2013 at the Prestige) but otherwise largely switches back and forth between Victoria and Nanaimo. (My ongoing pilgrim's progress as an elected representative has benefitted immensely from these conventions and their workshops, forums, trade show meet-and-greets and networking opportunities starting with my first AVICC in 2019 in Powell River. Securing a large enough convention space is the critical factor that prevents most municipal, regional district and First Nation members from hosting.)
AVICC comprises 55 member governments and represents 380 elected officials on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, qathet, North Coast and Central Coast. It is one of five area associations operating through the Union of BC Municipalities.
* Convention Program 2025
* Resolution Package 2025
* Resolution Backgrounders
* Resolution Archive (1996 to present)
2024/2025 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 Travis Hall, Central Coast RD, Director at Large
Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton, City of Courtenay, Director at Large
Councillor Tanille Johnston, City of Campbell River, 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
Convention Highlights
* Community Health Care Solutions (Fri. 9:30 AM)
* Convention opens (Fri. 2 PM)
* Keynote: Journalists Keith Baldry and Vaughn Palmer: BC Political Pulse (Fri. 2:30 PM)
* Minister of Health Josie Osborne (Fri. 4:10 PM)
* E-Comm 911 Update (Fri. 4:25 PM)
* Plenary Session: Regional District Legislation: A Roadmap (Fri. 4:30 PM)
* Redefining Regional and Community Economic Development (Sat. 7:30 AM)
* Resolutions Session #1 (Sat. 8:45 AM)
* UBCM President Trish Mandewo (Sat. 9:35 AM)
* Resolutions Session #2 (Sat. 10:55 AM)
* Urban Matters seminar (Sat. 1:30 PM)
* Community Housing Solutions (Sat. 3 PM)
* Amplify Climate Solutions Through Regional Collaboration (Sat. 3 PM)
* Federation of Canadian Municipalities update (Sun. 8:50 AM)
* Meeting Rules and Responsible Governance with Eli Mina (Sun. 9 AM)
* Resolutions Session #3 (Sun. 11 AM)
* New AVICC Executive welcomed (Sun. 11:50 AM)
Community Healthcare Solutions
Island Health's Dr. Reka Gustafson
- re: substance use strategies and alcohol reduction policies
- District of Tofino Municipal Alcohol Policy - Events (2021) + Port Alberni begins work on its policy (2025)
- in terms of substance abuse, we are at same place as we were with cancer research in the 1930s
- the current narrative stigmatizes because it considers substance use a moral failing. No substance is morally good or bad. The new narrative starts by understanding this is part of the human experience
- compassion and creation of supports can minimize impacts
Community Action Initiative
- Andrea Derban
- Dedicated to catching people upstream before they call into substance-use spiral which is rooted in trauma and early development issues
- Local Leadership United - local governments supported by CAI and federal government + key messages
- 2023/24 Annual Report
Cowichan Community Action Team
- Connected to the Our Cowichan Community Health Network
- Duncan village project inception, design, execution with support of First Nations, local government, non-profits and now 200 members of this action team + The Village, located at 610 Trunk Rd. in Duncan, is owned by BC Housing and operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society - 34 modular sleeping cabins for people in transition from homelessness, and wraparound services are provided 24 hours a day.
- Creation of a village environment designed with direct involvement of PWLLE has provided simple dignity and human needs, reducing costs to Duncan's policing and health-care system
- next step is a Village 2.0 or Vision For Wellness approach for the village with goal of reaching hidden crisis as identified in the 2021 BC Coroner's Report -- primarily young men (often trade workers) who are addicted to pain medication.
- Mid-term (5-10 years) objective: Purchase of development sites for Supported Housing (two 50-70 unit buildings) and Transitional (aka Second Stage) housing, both with "trauma-informed, culturally grounded treatment and daily support services"+ "investments in affordable housing as per Duncan's Housing Needs Assessment for workforce and low-income families and seniors."
BC Nurses Union
- Presentation by Caitlin Jarvis, South Island Region
- Half of BC nurses are under 40, 90% are women
- Local governments can help with nurse retention and recruitment through housing, child care, transportation and recreation incentives.
- Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and recruitment/retention announced by the Province on March 1
- Ratios Save Lives website
- BC to become first jurisdiction in the world to have a staffing standard of one nurse for every four patients in medical/surgical units 24/7/365, thus increasing quality of care, lowering readmission rates and minimizing burn-out of nurses. (California and Australia saw nursing numbers grow when ratios introduced; inactive and early retiree nurses returned to work; 67% say they are more likely to carry on with ratios in place.)
- $237m in new recruitment funding to continuing growing the number of BC nurses (6,567 nurses newly registered in 2023) + BC Health Workforce Strategy (2023) + First Year Accountability Report
- Canadian Federation of Nurses' Union's "All In For Public Health Care" federal election campaign
Fair Care Alliance
- Advocating for enhanced health services from north of the Malahat to Port Hardy (population 460k vs. 445k on the south island)
- The issues - half the island's population gets 1/5th of the resources; patients from north of the Malahat necessarily must be treated at the VGH and Royal Jubilee, making this a south island issue as well.
- Addressing three key systemic failures: "1. Van Isle's healthcare issues are not isolated but are part of a larger systemic problem; 2. Long wait times, staff shortages and patient transfers stem from the way the system is designed, managed and funded; and 3. These issues are deeply rooted in the structure of the healthcare system rather than being temporary or one-off problems."
- One tertiary hospital in Nanaimo (346 beds) vs. two in Greater Victoria (844 beds)
- No cardiac clinic, no cath lab
- Nanaimo Regional Health District objectives - primary: new north tower at Nanaimo General; business case required before being budgeted by the Province
- Cancer centre announced for Nanaimo (April 2024)
- Context: Health Capital Projects In BC (March 2025) includes in the Island Health Region ...
* Long-term care homes in Colwood (Royal Bay, 306 beds), Campbell River (153) and Nanaimo (306)
* Cowichan District Hospital replacement (204 beds) + affiliated housing for 60 nurses in training
* Nanaimo Intensive Care Unit (12 beds)
Comments from Minister of Health Josie Osborne
- Five months into the job, "drinking from a firehouse" analogy
- Challenges across system, notably rural, remote and indigenous communities
- Solutions arise when Province, local governments and First Nations collaborate
- Significant progress with First Nations Primary Health Centre Centres, another 11 of which will open this year (three on Vancouver Island, T'Sou-ke included); navigators to aid FN patients access the system are proving essential
- health care worker recruitment and retention a funded priority; example of two new doctors lured to Port Hardy, keeping ER open for longer hours and enjoying north island lifestyle
- Team-based care at Sidney's Shoreline Medical Clinic is an inspiring example, she said
- toxic drug crisis requires focus on treatment, recovery and aftercare
- new detox centres for indigenous youth opened last year in Lantzville and on Quadra Island
- "do not give up on advocating for your communities - we are listening and acting"
- promise of more healthcare workers emigrating to Canada from US
- recruitment campaign set for Washington state, Oregon and California with upbeat messaging re: working in a public, universal healthcare system where patients are treated with equity and respect
- 250k British Columbians connected to doctors last year through the Health Connect Registry
- Kudos to Colwood Medical Clinic, municipally owned and staffed by an eventual team of seven physicians hired and paid by the City of Colwood; other examples in Cumberland and Comox Valley. Commitment not to poach doctors from other communities but to recruit from outside BC.
-
2025 Resolutions
Regional Resolutions
R1 Addressing Local Community Concerns with Private Managed Forest Lands (Cowichan Valley RD)
- Ministry of Forests to implement the delayed Private Managed Forest Land Program Review
- Reform the Private Managed Forest Lands Act to ensure lands are ecologically managed as a community watersheds
- AVICC has traditionally called on province to regulate private forest lands as it does crown lands
R2 Island Rail Corridor (Alberni Clayoquot RD)
- Province to restore and upgrade the east-west rail link between Port Alberni and Parksville for use in event of wildfire or highway closure
R3 Power Supply Investment North Island (Port Hardy)
- Upgrade the North Island power supply to support industries transitioning to aquaculture, mining exploration and green energy projects
- remote community electrification subject of a half dozen AVICC resolutions over the years
Resolutions - Endorsed
Health and Social Development
R4 Mental Health and Addictions Resources (Parksville)
- Improved resourcing and facilities for youth (18-28) mental health and addictions
R5 Volunteer Fire Department Funding Model (Sunshine Coast)
- Support for rural and remote volunteer fire departments via BC Hydro, BC Ambulance and ICBC
Community Safety
R6 Fire Inspections and Investigations
- support for rural communities now required to hire fire investigators/inspectors under the new Fire Safety Act
Environment
R7 Non-Migratory Resident Canada Geese (Metchosin)
- goose cull program to reduce numbers on the South Island (now approx. 10k)
R8 Financial Incentives for Residential Rainwater Catchment Systems (Tofino)
- Rebates and/or financial incentives for residential rainwater catchment systems
- previous resolutions have focused on agricultural
- aligns with earlier AVICC calls for e-vehicles, building retrofits, energy efficient appliances
R9 Conserving BC Landfill Capacity (Nanaimo RD)
- request that the Province double-down on waste reduction, material reuse and recycling (i.e. circular economy)
R10 Sustainable Funding for Landfill Gas Regulation Compliance (Comox Valley RD)
- new provincial regulations require infrastructure upgrades, specialized training, monitoring
- small governments need financial support
R11 Legislating the BC Coastal Marine Strategy (Langford and Saanich)
- Enshrine the BC Coastal Marine Strategy into law
R12 Provincial Circular Economy Strategy (Nanaimo RD)
- request that Clean BC's circular economy ambitions be actioned via a Circular Economy Strategy
R13 Sustainable Funding for Small Water Systems (Comox Valley RD)
- funding for water treatment systems and operationalization for small communities
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
R14 Funding Indigenous Government Engagement in Local Government Planning (Cowichan Valley RD)
Finance
R15 Sustainable Growing Communities Fund (Parksville and Nanaimo RD)
- Sustained annual funding for infrastructure projects as per the 2022 one-time funding from the Province
Taxation
R16 BC Port Tax Cap (North Coast RD)
Transportation
R17 EV Charging Strategy for Remote Communities
R18 Support and Resourcing for Active Transportation Projects (Cowichan Valley RD)
R19 BC Ferry Advisory Committees (North Coast RD)
R20 Emergency Road Network Planning (Sunshine Coast RD)
Legislative
R21 Provincially Funded WorkSafe BC (Village of Daajing Giids)
R22 Provincial Consultation on Legislative Changes (Parksville)
Community Economic Development
R23 Forestry Industry and Fibre Decline (Port Alberni)
Resolutions - No Recommendation
Health and Social Development
R24 Mental Health Support for Elected Officials (Islands Trust)
- given toxic civil discourse, mental health supports needed beyond optional insurance coverage
R25 Free Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Postpartum Care (Langford)
- request province support physiotherapists, midwives and nurse practitioners in providing equitable services
- outside scope of local government jurisdiction
R26 Child Care Licensing Regulations (Oak Bay)
- Modify Child Care LIcensing Regulation to allow trained individuals under age of 19 to deliver after-school-care for school-age children
Housing
R27 Tiny Homes and RVs (Nanaimo RD)
- Province to advocate for and incentivize distinctions in codes between tiny homes on wheels and motorized vehicles, towable RVs and temporary small trailers; and to create a new category specific to RV's certified for permanent occupancy.
- Province to advocate for changes in National Building Code to recognize and define tiny homes as an allowable dwelling unit, then update Part 9 of the BC Building Code accordingly
R28 Mandatory Good Neighbour Agreement (Sechelt)
- All supportive housing and shelter operators to enter into Good Neighbour Agreement (GNA) with local governments to clarify expectations regarding community impact, security measures, ongoing engagement with government and residents. [Our Place's Don McTavish shared the organization's Good Neighbour Agreement at a recent Alliance to End Homelessness Health & Housing Committee meeting. Essential, said Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi of the Aboriginal Coalition, given how NIMBYs and other mean-spirited critics will take every opportunity to "double-shun" (i.e. stigmatize all the more) supportive shelters and their residents.]
Community Safety
R29 Province-Wide Ban on Fireworks (Metchosin)
- Similar resolution was defeated in 2005. Other resolutions have asked for regulation of the use and sale of fireworks, public education, enforcement, and cost recovery where loss can be attributed to the use or abuse of fireworks.
R30 Fire Resilient Forest Practices (Nanaimo RD)
- ensure that wildfire interface zones with a 3km radius of nearby communities be "fire-resistant, resilient, biodiverse forests" ~ monoculture coniferous tree farms more susceptible to wildfire, unlike deciduous forests.
R31 Sharing Fentanyl Precursors Information with Law Enforcement (Qualicum Beach)
- request for the Province to share information with local authorities in a timely manner re: the trade in percursor chemicals used in production of fentanyl
R32 Major Planned Events Advocacy (Comox Valley RD)
- Cost recovery considerations for local government public safety and emergency services related to "major planned events."
R33 Provincial Disaster Debris Plan (Nanaimo RD)
- Establishment of a province-wide disaster debris management plan that would provide logistical, financial and operational support for local governments responding to multiple potential issues, i.e. wildfire debris clean-up in riparian areas. (see Province's Debris Waste Management Guidance document re: flood debris.)
Environment
R34 Hybrid Wolfdogs (Nanaimo RD)
- Prohibit the breeding and keeping of mixed domestic dogs and Canis lupus (wolf) hybrids. Article on this Nanaimo RD motion.
R35 Provincial Support for Addressing Feral Rabbits (Saanich)
- Province to develop a strategy to address root causes of feral rabbit abandonment + Feb. 2025 article
R36 Provincial Waste Hauler Licensing (Nanaimo RD)
- Need for better data on waste sent to landfills within a regional district so as to inform efficiency of Solid Waste Management Plans (likely a response to CRD shipments of biosolids to Cassidy, BC)
R37 Solid Waste Management Approvals (Nanaimo RD)
- Ensuring that provincially approved Solid Waste Management Plans are in effect for full 10-year legislative lifespan without need for additional approvals to pursue policy actions identified in said plan.
Finance
R38 Infrastructure and Capital Projects Requiring Elector Approval (City of Nanaimo)
- Expand the Community Charter criteria for types of infrastructure and capital projects funded through borrowing without elector approval. Previous resolutions have sought removal of drinking water upgrades and fire-fighting equipment from AAP or referendum requirements, especially when ordered the Province.
R39 Improvement Districts Policy Revision (qathet RD)
- The Province's Improvement District Governance policy requires updating + Conversion Guide (2004) + Trustees Guidebook (2012). Near-by example: Kemp Lake Water Works District.
Land Use
R40 Private Managed Forest Lands (Nanaimo RD)
- Implement recommendations from local governments and First Nations during the 2019 Private Managed Forest Land Program review + What We Heard report (see pg. 66).
Transportation
R41 Transit Fees for Seniors (Qualicum Beach)
- Free transit for seniors aged 65+
- Free transit resolutions defeated (narrowly) at UBCM in 2020 and 2022
- Free transit resolution for youth aged 13 and under successful at UBCM 2021 (currently free for 12 and under).
R42 Traffic Controls at Inactive Railroad Crossings (Qualicum Beach)
- Revise legislation so that rail maintenance vehicles are required to stop at road crossings, thereby allowing free flow of automobile traffic.
Legislative
R43 Payment In Lieu of Works and Services for Land Development (Nanaimo)
- Enabling local governments to pool revenue from subdivisions and building permits for more impactful projects related to safety, connectivity or transportation management.
Community Economic Development
R44 Forestry Industry - Sustainable Fibre (Port Alberni)
- Sustainable supply of wood fibre to support mills at risk of closure due to shortages, a situation that will result in declining civic populations and lost industrial property tax in event of closure.
Selected Issues
R45 BC Human Rights Tribunal (Sooke)
- Province is asked to increase funding to the Tribunal to accelerate processing of its case files (currently 18 months).
- March 7, 2025 update on case backlog
- My Human Rights and Duties under the BC Human Rights Code
My script ...
"We've heard this weekend about toxic discourse and the decline of civility in our communities. This makes the work of the BC Human Rights Tribunal all the more critical. It receives approx. 2,500 complaints annually from British Columbians who contend that they’ve been subject to discriminatory actions under the BC Human Rights Code – related to age, ancestry, gender identity, mental and physical disability, political belief, race, religion and sexual orientation included.
In January, Ebony Logins, former Sooke councillor and now a trustee with Sooke School District, told council during a delegation that a local complaint filed with the Tribunal in August, 2023 had not yet been processed … and it still hasn’t as of this week.
Our research told us that the Tribunal is working through a major backlog of complaints -- more than 4,000 at its peak in 2023. The Province responded with additional funding that has allowed the Tribunal to hire four more caseworkers. The backlog has shrunk considerably, but the turnaround time for the resolution process is still at 18 months.
I spoke with the Tribunal’s Chair Emily Ohler this week … and I quote: “We acknowledge that 1.5 years remains far beyond our service standards. We appreciate the patience and understanding of those people experiencing delays and understand the frustrations. We are working hard within the constraints of our resources.”
Ms. Ohler welcomes this resolution as part of a long-game strategy to keep the Tribunal’s needs front-and-centre with the Province.
Importantly, she notes that the Tribunal will see no shortage of future complaints in what she calls a newly "comic book universe" where gloves are off, filters are down and there is significantly more open and hostile intolerance, discrimination and hate.
Moving this resolution forward to UBCM will support the Tribunal in delivering increasingly timely responses to British Columbians dealing with potential violations of the Human Rights Code. I trust we can count on your support."
Unanimous approval at 11:50 AM on Sunday.
Late Resolutions from the District of Sooke
1. Taxation of Utilities Companies
WHEREAS the Local Government Act, Section 644 2(a), specifies that a utility company (defined as “an electric light, electric power, telephone, water, gas or closed-circuit television company”) is to be taxed annually by municipalities (not including Regional Districts or First Nations) at the rate of 1% of its revenue from subscribers;
And whereas the legislation does not account for internet and cellular revenues flowing to telecommunications companies;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this outdated section of the LGA be updated to better reflect contemporary consumer choices and reverse the trend of declining municipal revenues from the 1% in-lieu-of utilities tax
2. Funding for 911 Services WHEREAS the legislation does not account for internet and cellular revenues flowing to telecommunications companies or provide funding for the 911 services available primarily through cell phones;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the cost of 911 services be shifted to those benefiting from these services
Black Press coverage of Sunday morning resolutions session ...
"AVICC delegates ask for amendment to B.C.'s community charter ~ Local government officials on Vancouver Island are asking the B.C. government to allow them to build critical infrastructure in their communities without the need to go to an alternate-approval process.
At the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention Sunday, April 13, in Nanaimo, delegates passed a resolution calling on the province to amend the community charter to expand the criteria around the type of capital projects that can utilize long-term borrowing without requiring elector approval.
The resolution was brought forward by the City of Nanaimo, which failed three times in the past two years to gain alternate approval to rebuild its public works yard.
Nanaimo Coun. Janice Perrino introduced the resolution, noting that "must-have" infrastructure projects have risen in cost to a point that they're unaffordable without long-term borrowing.
"The problem today is when you go to either an AAP or a referendum, very often you have a small group of community members that can rile up the community and vote it down very quickly… " she said. "I can't begin to tell you what it does to your community, what it does to your council, the misinformation."
She noted that local governments would still be able to have referenda for "the fun things" community members might want, such as pools, arenas, parks and walkways, and that the resolution is meant to advance projects that "keep your community going."
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor spoke in support of the resolution, noting his district is looking at redevelopment of police, fire and municipal facilities.
"And we have a small but vocal group who think they understand economics better than the consultants, the staff, the people who have poured thousands and thousands of hours into it and the message is 'spend money bad'…" he said.
"Meanwhile, the rest of the public who will benefit from these facilities or essential infrastructure projects for decades are left out in the cold because the group that doesn't want it doesn't talk to them, and we try and reach them, but they're busy in their daily lives."
Windsor said he understands the skepticism about AAPs because it looks to the public as though local governments are "trying to slip a fast one by them," but noted that referenda are also easily manipulated by a small group.
"The fallacy that this is somehow democratic is frankly just wrong," he said.
Arguing against the resolution was Fred Boyko, regional director for Beaufort in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. He said resolution is "heavy handed" in taking away the public's voice, and said it diminishes trust in local government.
"Instead of this, I would encourage any level of government to work towards more effective levels of community engagement and education," he said. "If there's one sure way of upsetting the public we represent, it's forcing someone to pay for anything – whether it is infrastructure or services – that they do not want."
The resolution passed by a wide margin.
Other resolutions supported on the second day of the AVICC convention included one asking for a prohibition on the breeding and keeping of hybrid wolf-dogs, and another asking for a provincewide waste hauler licensing system to allow regional districts to better understand where waste is being generated and where the material is flowing.
AVICC members also voted in favour of modernizing policies to try to maintain viability of improvement districts, lobbying for reconfiguration of out-of-use rail crossings, and calling for better funding for the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to more effectively process complaints."
AVICC comprises 55 member governments and represents 380 elected officials on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, qathet, North Coast and Central Coast. It is one of five area associations operating through the Union of BC Municipalities.
* Convention Program 2025
* Resolution Package 2025
* Resolution Backgrounders
* Resolution Archive (1996 to present)
2024/2025 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 Travis Hall, Central Coast RD, Director at Large
Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton, City of Courtenay, Director at Large
Councillor Tanille Johnston, City of Campbell River, 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
Convention Highlights
* Community Health Care Solutions (Fri. 9:30 AM)
* Convention opens (Fri. 2 PM)
* Keynote: Journalists Keith Baldry and Vaughn Palmer: BC Political Pulse (Fri. 2:30 PM)
* Minister of Health Josie Osborne (Fri. 4:10 PM)
* E-Comm 911 Update (Fri. 4:25 PM)
* Plenary Session: Regional District Legislation: A Roadmap (Fri. 4:30 PM)
* Redefining Regional and Community Economic Development (Sat. 7:30 AM)
* Resolutions Session #1 (Sat. 8:45 AM)
* UBCM President Trish Mandewo (Sat. 9:35 AM)
* Resolutions Session #2 (Sat. 10:55 AM)
* Urban Matters seminar (Sat. 1:30 PM)
* Community Housing Solutions (Sat. 3 PM)
* Amplify Climate Solutions Through Regional Collaboration (Sat. 3 PM)
* Federation of Canadian Municipalities update (Sun. 8:50 AM)
* Meeting Rules and Responsible Governance with Eli Mina (Sun. 9 AM)
* Resolutions Session #3 (Sun. 11 AM)
* New AVICC Executive welcomed (Sun. 11:50 AM)
Community Healthcare Solutions
Island Health's Dr. Reka Gustafson
- re: substance use strategies and alcohol reduction policies
- District of Tofino Municipal Alcohol Policy - Events (2021) + Port Alberni begins work on its policy (2025)
- in terms of substance abuse, we are at same place as we were with cancer research in the 1930s
- the current narrative stigmatizes because it considers substance use a moral failing. No substance is morally good or bad. The new narrative starts by understanding this is part of the human experience
- compassion and creation of supports can minimize impacts
Community Action Initiative
- Andrea Derban
- Dedicated to catching people upstream before they call into substance-use spiral which is rooted in trauma and early development issues
- Local Leadership United - local governments supported by CAI and federal government + key messages
- 2023/24 Annual Report
Cowichan Community Action Team
- Connected to the Our Cowichan Community Health Network
- Duncan village project inception, design, execution with support of First Nations, local government, non-profits and now 200 members of this action team + The Village, located at 610 Trunk Rd. in Duncan, is owned by BC Housing and operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society - 34 modular sleeping cabins for people in transition from homelessness, and wraparound services are provided 24 hours a day.
- Creation of a village environment designed with direct involvement of PWLLE has provided simple dignity and human needs, reducing costs to Duncan's policing and health-care system
- next step is a Village 2.0 or Vision For Wellness approach for the village with goal of reaching hidden crisis as identified in the 2021 BC Coroner's Report -- primarily young men (often trade workers) who are addicted to pain medication.
- Mid-term (5-10 years) objective: Purchase of development sites for Supported Housing (two 50-70 unit buildings) and Transitional (aka Second Stage) housing, both with "trauma-informed, culturally grounded treatment and daily support services"+ "investments in affordable housing as per Duncan's Housing Needs Assessment for workforce and low-income families and seniors."
BC Nurses Union
- Presentation by Caitlin Jarvis, South Island Region
- Half of BC nurses are under 40, 90% are women
- Local governments can help with nurse retention and recruitment through housing, child care, transportation and recreation incentives.
- Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and recruitment/retention announced by the Province on March 1
- Ratios Save Lives website
- BC to become first jurisdiction in the world to have a staffing standard of one nurse for every four patients in medical/surgical units 24/7/365, thus increasing quality of care, lowering readmission rates and minimizing burn-out of nurses. (California and Australia saw nursing numbers grow when ratios introduced; inactive and early retiree nurses returned to work; 67% say they are more likely to carry on with ratios in place.)
- $237m in new recruitment funding to continuing growing the number of BC nurses (6,567 nurses newly registered in 2023) + BC Health Workforce Strategy (2023) + First Year Accountability Report
- Canadian Federation of Nurses' Union's "All In For Public Health Care" federal election campaign
Fair Care Alliance
- Advocating for enhanced health services from north of the Malahat to Port Hardy (population 460k vs. 445k on the south island)
- The issues - half the island's population gets 1/5th of the resources; patients from north of the Malahat necessarily must be treated at the VGH and Royal Jubilee, making this a south island issue as well.
- Addressing three key systemic failures: "1. Van Isle's healthcare issues are not isolated but are part of a larger systemic problem; 2. Long wait times, staff shortages and patient transfers stem from the way the system is designed, managed and funded; and 3. These issues are deeply rooted in the structure of the healthcare system rather than being temporary or one-off problems."
- One tertiary hospital in Nanaimo (346 beds) vs. two in Greater Victoria (844 beds)
- No cardiac clinic, no cath lab
- Nanaimo Regional Health District objectives - primary: new north tower at Nanaimo General; business case required before being budgeted by the Province
- Cancer centre announced for Nanaimo (April 2024)
- Context: Health Capital Projects In BC (March 2025) includes in the Island Health Region ...
* Long-term care homes in Colwood (Royal Bay, 306 beds), Campbell River (153) and Nanaimo (306)
* Cowichan District Hospital replacement (204 beds) + affiliated housing for 60 nurses in training
* Nanaimo Intensive Care Unit (12 beds)
Comments from Minister of Health Josie Osborne
- Five months into the job, "drinking from a firehouse" analogy
- Challenges across system, notably rural, remote and indigenous communities
- Solutions arise when Province, local governments and First Nations collaborate
- Significant progress with First Nations Primary Health Centre Centres, another 11 of which will open this year (three on Vancouver Island, T'Sou-ke included); navigators to aid FN patients access the system are proving essential
- health care worker recruitment and retention a funded priority; example of two new doctors lured to Port Hardy, keeping ER open for longer hours and enjoying north island lifestyle
- Team-based care at Sidney's Shoreline Medical Clinic is an inspiring example, she said
- toxic drug crisis requires focus on treatment, recovery and aftercare
- new detox centres for indigenous youth opened last year in Lantzville and on Quadra Island
- "do not give up on advocating for your communities - we are listening and acting"
- promise of more healthcare workers emigrating to Canada from US
- recruitment campaign set for Washington state, Oregon and California with upbeat messaging re: working in a public, universal healthcare system where patients are treated with equity and respect
- 250k British Columbians connected to doctors last year through the Health Connect Registry
- Kudos to Colwood Medical Clinic, municipally owned and staffed by an eventual team of seven physicians hired and paid by the City of Colwood; other examples in Cumberland and Comox Valley. Commitment not to poach doctors from other communities but to recruit from outside BC.
-
2025 Resolutions
Regional Resolutions
R1 Addressing Local Community Concerns with Private Managed Forest Lands (Cowichan Valley RD)
- Ministry of Forests to implement the delayed Private Managed Forest Land Program Review
- Reform the Private Managed Forest Lands Act to ensure lands are ecologically managed as a community watersheds
- AVICC has traditionally called on province to regulate private forest lands as it does crown lands
R2 Island Rail Corridor (Alberni Clayoquot RD)
- Province to restore and upgrade the east-west rail link between Port Alberni and Parksville for use in event of wildfire or highway closure
R3 Power Supply Investment North Island (Port Hardy)
- Upgrade the North Island power supply to support industries transitioning to aquaculture, mining exploration and green energy projects
- remote community electrification subject of a half dozen AVICC resolutions over the years
Resolutions - Endorsed
Health and Social Development
R4 Mental Health and Addictions Resources (Parksville)
- Improved resourcing and facilities for youth (18-28) mental health and addictions
R5 Volunteer Fire Department Funding Model (Sunshine Coast)
- Support for rural and remote volunteer fire departments via BC Hydro, BC Ambulance and ICBC
Community Safety
R6 Fire Inspections and Investigations
- support for rural communities now required to hire fire investigators/inspectors under the new Fire Safety Act
Environment
R7 Non-Migratory Resident Canada Geese (Metchosin)
- goose cull program to reduce numbers on the South Island (now approx. 10k)
R8 Financial Incentives for Residential Rainwater Catchment Systems (Tofino)
- Rebates and/or financial incentives for residential rainwater catchment systems
- previous resolutions have focused on agricultural
- aligns with earlier AVICC calls for e-vehicles, building retrofits, energy efficient appliances
R9 Conserving BC Landfill Capacity (Nanaimo RD)
- request that the Province double-down on waste reduction, material reuse and recycling (i.e. circular economy)
R10 Sustainable Funding for Landfill Gas Regulation Compliance (Comox Valley RD)
- new provincial regulations require infrastructure upgrades, specialized training, monitoring
- small governments need financial support
R11 Legislating the BC Coastal Marine Strategy (Langford and Saanich)
- Enshrine the BC Coastal Marine Strategy into law
R12 Provincial Circular Economy Strategy (Nanaimo RD)
- request that Clean BC's circular economy ambitions be actioned via a Circular Economy Strategy
R13 Sustainable Funding for Small Water Systems (Comox Valley RD)
- funding for water treatment systems and operationalization for small communities
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
R14 Funding Indigenous Government Engagement in Local Government Planning (Cowichan Valley RD)
Finance
R15 Sustainable Growing Communities Fund (Parksville and Nanaimo RD)
- Sustained annual funding for infrastructure projects as per the 2022 one-time funding from the Province
Taxation
R16 BC Port Tax Cap (North Coast RD)
Transportation
R17 EV Charging Strategy for Remote Communities
R18 Support and Resourcing for Active Transportation Projects (Cowichan Valley RD)
R19 BC Ferry Advisory Committees (North Coast RD)
R20 Emergency Road Network Planning (Sunshine Coast RD)
Legislative
R21 Provincially Funded WorkSafe BC (Village of Daajing Giids)
R22 Provincial Consultation on Legislative Changes (Parksville)
Community Economic Development
R23 Forestry Industry and Fibre Decline (Port Alberni)
Resolutions - No Recommendation
Health and Social Development
R24 Mental Health Support for Elected Officials (Islands Trust)
- given toxic civil discourse, mental health supports needed beyond optional insurance coverage
R25 Free Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Postpartum Care (Langford)
- request province support physiotherapists, midwives and nurse practitioners in providing equitable services
- outside scope of local government jurisdiction
R26 Child Care Licensing Regulations (Oak Bay)
- Modify Child Care LIcensing Regulation to allow trained individuals under age of 19 to deliver after-school-care for school-age children
Housing
R27 Tiny Homes and RVs (Nanaimo RD)
- Province to advocate for and incentivize distinctions in codes between tiny homes on wheels and motorized vehicles, towable RVs and temporary small trailers; and to create a new category specific to RV's certified for permanent occupancy.
- Province to advocate for changes in National Building Code to recognize and define tiny homes as an allowable dwelling unit, then update Part 9 of the BC Building Code accordingly
R28 Mandatory Good Neighbour Agreement (Sechelt)
- All supportive housing and shelter operators to enter into Good Neighbour Agreement (GNA) with local governments to clarify expectations regarding community impact, security measures, ongoing engagement with government and residents. [Our Place's Don McTavish shared the organization's Good Neighbour Agreement at a recent Alliance to End Homelessness Health & Housing Committee meeting. Essential, said Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi of the Aboriginal Coalition, given how NIMBYs and other mean-spirited critics will take every opportunity to "double-shun" (i.e. stigmatize all the more) supportive shelters and their residents.]
Community Safety
R29 Province-Wide Ban on Fireworks (Metchosin)
- Similar resolution was defeated in 2005. Other resolutions have asked for regulation of the use and sale of fireworks, public education, enforcement, and cost recovery where loss can be attributed to the use or abuse of fireworks.
R30 Fire Resilient Forest Practices (Nanaimo RD)
- ensure that wildfire interface zones with a 3km radius of nearby communities be "fire-resistant, resilient, biodiverse forests" ~ monoculture coniferous tree farms more susceptible to wildfire, unlike deciduous forests.
R31 Sharing Fentanyl Precursors Information with Law Enforcement (Qualicum Beach)
- request for the Province to share information with local authorities in a timely manner re: the trade in percursor chemicals used in production of fentanyl
R32 Major Planned Events Advocacy (Comox Valley RD)
- Cost recovery considerations for local government public safety and emergency services related to "major planned events."
R33 Provincial Disaster Debris Plan (Nanaimo RD)
- Establishment of a province-wide disaster debris management plan that would provide logistical, financial and operational support for local governments responding to multiple potential issues, i.e. wildfire debris clean-up in riparian areas. (see Province's Debris Waste Management Guidance document re: flood debris.)
Environment
R34 Hybrid Wolfdogs (Nanaimo RD)
- Prohibit the breeding and keeping of mixed domestic dogs and Canis lupus (wolf) hybrids. Article on this Nanaimo RD motion.
R35 Provincial Support for Addressing Feral Rabbits (Saanich)
- Province to develop a strategy to address root causes of feral rabbit abandonment + Feb. 2025 article
R36 Provincial Waste Hauler Licensing (Nanaimo RD)
- Need for better data on waste sent to landfills within a regional district so as to inform efficiency of Solid Waste Management Plans (likely a response to CRD shipments of biosolids to Cassidy, BC)
R37 Solid Waste Management Approvals (Nanaimo RD)
- Ensuring that provincially approved Solid Waste Management Plans are in effect for full 10-year legislative lifespan without need for additional approvals to pursue policy actions identified in said plan.
Finance
R38 Infrastructure and Capital Projects Requiring Elector Approval (City of Nanaimo)
- Expand the Community Charter criteria for types of infrastructure and capital projects funded through borrowing without elector approval. Previous resolutions have sought removal of drinking water upgrades and fire-fighting equipment from AAP or referendum requirements, especially when ordered the Province.
R39 Improvement Districts Policy Revision (qathet RD)
- The Province's Improvement District Governance policy requires updating + Conversion Guide (2004) + Trustees Guidebook (2012). Near-by example: Kemp Lake Water Works District.
Land Use
R40 Private Managed Forest Lands (Nanaimo RD)
- Implement recommendations from local governments and First Nations during the 2019 Private Managed Forest Land Program review + What We Heard report (see pg. 66).
Transportation
R41 Transit Fees for Seniors (Qualicum Beach)
- Free transit for seniors aged 65+
- Free transit resolutions defeated (narrowly) at UBCM in 2020 and 2022
- Free transit resolution for youth aged 13 and under successful at UBCM 2021 (currently free for 12 and under).
R42 Traffic Controls at Inactive Railroad Crossings (Qualicum Beach)
- Revise legislation so that rail maintenance vehicles are required to stop at road crossings, thereby allowing free flow of automobile traffic.
Legislative
R43 Payment In Lieu of Works and Services for Land Development (Nanaimo)
- Enabling local governments to pool revenue from subdivisions and building permits for more impactful projects related to safety, connectivity or transportation management.
Community Economic Development
R44 Forestry Industry - Sustainable Fibre (Port Alberni)
- Sustainable supply of wood fibre to support mills at risk of closure due to shortages, a situation that will result in declining civic populations and lost industrial property tax in event of closure.
Selected Issues
R45 BC Human Rights Tribunal (Sooke)
- Province is asked to increase funding to the Tribunal to accelerate processing of its case files (currently 18 months).
- March 7, 2025 update on case backlog
- My Human Rights and Duties under the BC Human Rights Code
My script ...
"We've heard this weekend about toxic discourse and the decline of civility in our communities. This makes the work of the BC Human Rights Tribunal all the more critical. It receives approx. 2,500 complaints annually from British Columbians who contend that they’ve been subject to discriminatory actions under the BC Human Rights Code – related to age, ancestry, gender identity, mental and physical disability, political belief, race, religion and sexual orientation included.
In January, Ebony Logins, former Sooke councillor and now a trustee with Sooke School District, told council during a delegation that a local complaint filed with the Tribunal in August, 2023 had not yet been processed … and it still hasn’t as of this week.
Our research told us that the Tribunal is working through a major backlog of complaints -- more than 4,000 at its peak in 2023. The Province responded with additional funding that has allowed the Tribunal to hire four more caseworkers. The backlog has shrunk considerably, but the turnaround time for the resolution process is still at 18 months.
I spoke with the Tribunal’s Chair Emily Ohler this week … and I quote: “We acknowledge that 1.5 years remains far beyond our service standards. We appreciate the patience and understanding of those people experiencing delays and understand the frustrations. We are working hard within the constraints of our resources.”
Ms. Ohler welcomes this resolution as part of a long-game strategy to keep the Tribunal’s needs front-and-centre with the Province.
Importantly, she notes that the Tribunal will see no shortage of future complaints in what she calls a newly "comic book universe" where gloves are off, filters are down and there is significantly more open and hostile intolerance, discrimination and hate.
Moving this resolution forward to UBCM will support the Tribunal in delivering increasingly timely responses to British Columbians dealing with potential violations of the Human Rights Code. I trust we can count on your support."
Unanimous approval at 11:50 AM on Sunday.
Late Resolutions from the District of Sooke
1. Taxation of Utilities Companies
WHEREAS the Local Government Act, Section 644 2(a), specifies that a utility company (defined as “an electric light, electric power, telephone, water, gas or closed-circuit television company”) is to be taxed annually by municipalities (not including Regional Districts or First Nations) at the rate of 1% of its revenue from subscribers;
And whereas the legislation does not account for internet and cellular revenues flowing to telecommunications companies;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this outdated section of the LGA be updated to better reflect contemporary consumer choices and reverse the trend of declining municipal revenues from the 1% in-lieu-of utilities tax
2. Funding for 911 Services WHEREAS the legislation does not account for internet and cellular revenues flowing to telecommunications companies or provide funding for the 911 services available primarily through cell phones;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the cost of 911 services be shifted to those benefiting from these services
Black Press coverage of Sunday morning resolutions session ...
"AVICC delegates ask for amendment to B.C.'s community charter ~ Local government officials on Vancouver Island are asking the B.C. government to allow them to build critical infrastructure in their communities without the need to go to an alternate-approval process.
At the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention Sunday, April 13, in Nanaimo, delegates passed a resolution calling on the province to amend the community charter to expand the criteria around the type of capital projects that can utilize long-term borrowing without requiring elector approval.
The resolution was brought forward by the City of Nanaimo, which failed three times in the past two years to gain alternate approval to rebuild its public works yard.
Nanaimo Coun. Janice Perrino introduced the resolution, noting that "must-have" infrastructure projects have risen in cost to a point that they're unaffordable without long-term borrowing.
"The problem today is when you go to either an AAP or a referendum, very often you have a small group of community members that can rile up the community and vote it down very quickly… " she said. "I can't begin to tell you what it does to your community, what it does to your council, the misinformation."
She noted that local governments would still be able to have referenda for "the fun things" community members might want, such as pools, arenas, parks and walkways, and that the resolution is meant to advance projects that "keep your community going."
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor spoke in support of the resolution, noting his district is looking at redevelopment of police, fire and municipal facilities.
"And we have a small but vocal group who think they understand economics better than the consultants, the staff, the people who have poured thousands and thousands of hours into it and the message is 'spend money bad'…" he said.
"Meanwhile, the rest of the public who will benefit from these facilities or essential infrastructure projects for decades are left out in the cold because the group that doesn't want it doesn't talk to them, and we try and reach them, but they're busy in their daily lives."
Windsor said he understands the skepticism about AAPs because it looks to the public as though local governments are "trying to slip a fast one by them," but noted that referenda are also easily manipulated by a small group.
"The fallacy that this is somehow democratic is frankly just wrong," he said.
Arguing against the resolution was Fred Boyko, regional director for Beaufort in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. He said resolution is "heavy handed" in taking away the public's voice, and said it diminishes trust in local government.
"Instead of this, I would encourage any level of government to work towards more effective levels of community engagement and education," he said. "If there's one sure way of upsetting the public we represent, it's forcing someone to pay for anything – whether it is infrastructure or services – that they do not want."
The resolution passed by a wide margin.
Other resolutions supported on the second day of the AVICC convention included one asking for a prohibition on the breeding and keeping of hybrid wolf-dogs, and another asking for a provincewide waste hauler licensing system to allow regional districts to better understand where waste is being generated and where the material is flowing.
AVICC members also voted in favour of modernizing policies to try to maintain viability of improvement districts, lobbying for reconfiguration of out-of-use rail crossings, and calling for better funding for the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to more effectively process complaints."
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