Work in progress ...
This year's Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual convention will be in Vancouver the week of Sept. 14. Sooke Council brought forward two resolutions for consideration at the convention. One (on protections for manufactured home communities) was accepted for debate in the No Recommendation category; the other (Food Waste Reduction and Affordability Framework) was deemed "out of local government scope" by the UBCM Resolution Committee.
Convention home page
- Schedule of workshops and events ~ At A Glance + Detailed
- More on the Common Good theme from UBCM + Wikipedia on the subject
Meetings have been requested by Sooke council with ...
1. Minister of Transportation and Transit - Mike Farnworth (re: Highway 14 improvements)
2. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Nina Krieger (re: EComm 911 downloads and skyrocketing fees)
3. Minister of Health - Ravi Kahlon (re: progress report on the Urgent and Primary Care Centre on Lot A)
4. Attorney General - Niki Sharma (re: ICBC road and pedestrian safety matters)
5. Minister of Environment and Parks - Tamara Davidson (contaminated - "brownfield" - soil remediation)
6. Ministry of Agriculture and Food - Lana Popham (re: food waste reduction and affordability framework)
Confirmed Schedule ...
Monday, September 14
11:00–11:15 a.m. - Minister of Health Ravi Kahlon
Room 13, Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, Level 2
Discussion: Progress report on Sooke health centre connected to the Wadams Way BC Builds development + Ayre Manor expansion needs + modernized X-ray clinic
Tuesday, September 15
9:20–9:35 a.m. - Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger
Cheakamus Room, Fairmont Waterfront
Discussion: Policing and community safety in Sooke, E-Comm 911 funding pressures, and the District’s eligibility to participate in the Vancouver Island Major Crime Unit (VIMCU)
1:20–1:35 p.m. - Minister of Environment and Parks Tamara Davidson
Room 17, Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, Level 2
Discussion: Alternative options for managing and remediating salt-contaminated soil generated through local infrastructure projects.
Wednesday, September 16
11:20 - 11:35 AM - Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham
Mackenzie Ballroom 2, Fairmont Waterfront
Discussion: Council’s proposed UBCM resolution to reduce food waste and improve food affordability through progressive retail price reductions for products approaching their best-before or expiry dates. "A provincial pilot could provide an immediate first step. Working with willing large grocery retailers, the Province could test consistent approaches to discounting, establish food-safety guidance and measure impacts on food waste, consumer affordability and retailer operations before considering broader policy or regulatory options."
- "Progressive pricing would give families more opportunities to purchase safe, nutritious food at lower prices, directly supporting the Province's commitment to expand affordability and food security."
1:20–1:35 p.m. - Attorney General Niki Sharma
Room 14, Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, Level 2
Discussion: Options to improve access to driver’s licence road testing for Sooke residents, including increased capacity in the Greater Victoria area.
Thursday, September 17
11:20–11:35 a.m. - Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth
Cheakamus Room, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, 900 Canada Place
Discussion: The proposed Throup Road connection, Highway 14 improvements to support traffic flow through Sooke and potential impacts of light rail service (Langford commuter train to Victoria).
* 2026 UBCM Annual Report
Includes financial statements, grant programs, advocacy initiatives with the Province.
Updates on key resolutions, including ...
* UNDRIP implementation
* Code of Conduct
* Healthcare work force
* Childcare funding
* Repeat offenders
* Provincial permitting time and resources
* First response pressures on local fire services
* Support for forestry - timber sales and fibre access
* Intimate partner violence
* Homelessness support
* Involuntary care
* Build Canada Homes Program
* Public land use
* EV charging infrastructure
* Wetlands protection
UBCM advocacy priorities with the Province in 2025/26 (pp. 7-10) are highlighted by ...
* Financial Development Tools ~ "We asked for support from the Province to keep local governments financially whole amidst federal pressure to reduce Development Cost Charges (DCCs) in order to qualify for certain infrastructure funding programs. The fact is, housing will not be made more affordable by cutting DCCs. But property taxes will likely be forced up. There is a gaping need for infrastructure renewal and expansion in BC just to keep up with population growth and density mandates – not to mention climate related upgrades. Property taxes alone cannot sustain these costs. DCCs are an essential financial tool local governments use to pay for the infrastructure required for housing growth. ‘Growth pays for growth’ has been a longstanding policy approach. Our request is to allow local governments to continue to determine local rates based on local need, and separate any pressure on these fees from infrastructure funding."
* Emergency Management Supports ~ "Need for long-term funding and capacity building for emergency management. Floods, droughts, heat domes, and wildfires have become more frequent and severe making them more challenging and expensive to manage. At the same time, the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) has expanded local government obligations – which add very real operational and administrative costs beyond what property taxes can absorb. We are asking the Province for ongoing supports tied directly to new EDMA responsibilities, and to restore long-term funding for wildfire mitigation work."
* Importance of Engaging With Local Governments ~ "This year the focus was on helping MLAs understand why it’s so important to engage with local governments early and often as policy solutions are being developed. We shared examples where this has worked well, benefiting all parties in the end – as well as some instances where local governments have not been part of the process which led to difficult unintended consequences in the legislation. Our goal was to remind decision makers that as an order of government, local governments need to be considered distinctly from stakeholders in consultation processes." (This to prevent more top-down, non-consultative processes such as Bill 44 housing legislation and the ill-fated Bill M-216 Professional Reliance Act, to cite two among other examples)
* UBCM Governance Review (August 2026; see Appendix C of Resolutions Book)
Throwback: UBCM 2025 Annual Report
- 2024/25 Highlights
i) Provincial Election - advocacy with all parties via the Stretched to the Limit report, which focused on housing and homelessness; infrastructure needs; and climate action in the context of emergency management.
ii) Trade war implications documented in Macroeconomic Impacts of the Canada-US Trade War
iii) Pushback on centralization of powers by the Province of BC and Government of Canada (i.e., BC Bill 15 - Infrastructure Projects Act)
iv) Relationship protocol signed with First Nations Leadership Council, fall 2024
v) Launch of the Strategic Priorities Fund + program guidelines
Central and Perennial Issue: Fiscal Funding Reform
Clip from my 2023 UBCM blog entry and still central to perennial UBCM lobbying efforts ...
"Local Government Finance - Sustainable, long-term, predictable Province of BC funding for local governments paired with policy support in three priority areas: attainable housing, climate change and community safety. See Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency (2021), which presents recommendations that reiterate and expand on those found in UBCM's Strong Fiscal Futures report (2013).
This work is coordinated by UBCM and provincial staff within the Local Government Financial Review Working Group. Top of mind always is this consensus "problem statement" - "Property tax is useful and important as an own-source revenue tool, but local governments report difficulty raising enough revenue from property taxes, particularly regarding infrastructure capital costs and select service delivery costs driven by senior government regulations and environmental factors."
These efforts align with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Municipal Growth Framework campaign at the federal level. Its key point: "Local governments’ scope of responsibilities continues to expand—including driving action on-the-ground in new areas like homelessness, housing, mental health and addiction, as well as sustainability, climate adaptation and mitigation—outstripping funding provided by an outdated funding framework. Who pays for it all, through what means, and how do we keep municipal budgets balanced?"] See 2024 FCM document The Case For a Municipal Growth Framework.
Convention Workshops, Seminars and Presentations
Monday
9:30 to 11:30 AM
- The Future of RCMP Policing in BC (Room 11/12)
- Accelerating Affordability through Modern Modular Methods of Construction (Ballroom C)
- Sustaining Local Watersheds (Room 1) - BC Watershed Coalition
2 to 4 PM
- Run for Office, Not From Online Harassment (Room 11/12)
"The rise in online harassment of elected officials in recent years has been noticeable, and is a significant concern as we approach this year’s local government elections. Social media remains ground zero for online harassment, and is now becoming more problematic due to the increased use of artificial intelligence. This session will explore the rise of online harassment of local government elected officials, including the use of AI, impact on local politicians, and available supports. What is the current landscape, and what is being done to address these issues? We will hear from a panel of elected officials about their experiences, and will learn about strategies for the use of social media."
- We Have An Evacuation Plan, But What If ... (Ballroom C)
"Evacuations are complex, emotional and often require input from multiple agencies. Even when an evacuation plan is in place, local governments may have questions about how they can best serve their communities during emergencies."
4:30 PM
- Eyes of the Beast (Ballroom A/B)
"In 2021, British Columbians survived the deadliest weather-related disaster in Canadian history, an extreme heat wave that killed 619 people, followed by a fire that levelled Lytton and floods that cut the province in two. Eyes of the Beast brings their voices to the stage. Co-created by the University of Victoria's Climate Disaster Project and Vancouver's Neworld Theatre, this documentary play is drawn from the testimonies of 33 survivors, who share their experiences and hopes for change that will keep their loved ones and communities safe."
Tuesday
7:30 AM
- Social Infrastructure (Room 8/15) - Facilitated by BC Recreation and Parks Association
- Mental Health For Elected Officials (Room 11) - Preview of UBCM's Mental Health Handbook to be released post-election in collaboration with Peer Support Group
- Responsible Conduct Legislation (Room 12) - Update on provincial legislation announced in the spring to create uniform code-of-conduct practices across BC
- Beyond Silos: Funding Flood Resilience (Room 1)
9 AM to 10:15
- Tenant Protection Policies That Work (Room 2/3)
- Governing Major Capital Projects from Cradle to Grave (Room 11/12)
"Major capital projects can define a community's future, but they can also create financial pressure, public scrutiny, and unintended consequences. From public consultation, funding and financing through procurement, construction, operations, maintenance, and renewal, elected officials play a critical role in ensuring projects deliver lasting value. This practical panel discussion will explore the key questions local government leaders should ask at every stage of a project's lifecycle. Participants will gain a better understanding of how financial planning, borrowing strategies, procurement, project management, asset management, and sustainable service delivery work together to support successful outcomes."
10:30 AM to Noon
- The Continuum of Response in Our Communities (Room 11/12)
"Local governments are increasingly being left to respond to issues that fall outside their core responsibilities. The continuum of response to social issues (e.g., homelessness, addictions, mental health) is one such example. In 2021, the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act recommended that the provincial government “create and appropriately fund a continuum of response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues.” This recommendation has not been fulfilled, which has left local governments dealing with a plethora of social issues in their communities.This workshop will explore some of the partnerships that have been developed as a measure of last resort, when local governments are left to manage issues beyond their scope of duties. It will also examine the role of other orders of government in addressing these social issues."
- Intelligent Planning Tools for Local Governments (Room 2/3) - Planning Institute of British Columbia
"This session will explore how local governments can strengthen land use planning, service delivery, and community outcomes, through presentations on: i) PIBC Intelligent Inventory (an AI tool open to all, public included, that searches, compares and analyzes OCPs and zoning bylaws across BC); ii) BC Public Lands Map, a new database with federal provincial, municipal and crown land in one searchable place."
1:45 to 5 PM
- Understanding DRIPA: Opportunities, Challenges and Implications for BC Communities (Exhibit Hall A)
"The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) continues to shape conversations about reconciliation, governance, law-making and community relationships across BC. This plenary session will provide UBCM members with an overview of DRIPA including how the legislation was developed, and what it means for provincial laws, Indigenous rights and public decision-making. This session will bring together legal, Indigenous, local government, business and provincial perspectives to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing DRIPA. Through presentations and moderated discussion, delegates will have an opportunity to consider what DRIPA means for communities throughout BC, where clearer engagement and information-sharing is needed, and how relationships among First Nations, local governments and the Province can support better policy outcomes."
5:30 PM - Community Excellence Awards
6:30 PM - UBCM Opening Reception
Wednesday
7:30 to 8:15 AM
- UBCM Governance Review update (Rm 1)
- Navigating AI: Emerging Issues for Local Government (Rm 12)
"This session brings together perspectives from local government and civic leadership to discuss two key dimensions of AI for local governments: the local implications of AI infrastructure development and the responsible use of AI tools in government operations."
- Wildfire Regulation Across Jurisdictions (Rm 8) - BC Wildfire Service
- Short-Term Rental Regulations (Rm 11) - Introducing the STR Data Portal and Registry + guidelines
- Working With Tourism Organizations (Room 2/3)
"Economic resilience isn't built by waiting for the next major employer, grant, or infrastructure project. It's built by recognizing and leveraging the partnerships, networks, and assets already shaping your community's future.
Hear from rural, mid-sized, and urban local government leaders who have redefined how they approach economic development by unlocking tourism, an often-overlooked strategic partner."
8:30 AM - Convention opening session and AGM (Hall A)
9:35 AM - Keynote Address: Anna Marie Tremonti, former host of CBC Radio's The Current
10:30 AM - Trade Show Opens (Hall B to 5 PM)
10:40 to 11:45 AM - Resolutions Session #1
11:45 AM - Address by Green Party of BC leader Emily Lowen
2 PM - Address by Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson (Hall A)
3 to 4:15 PM - Ministerial Town Halls
- Look West: Growing BC's Economy (Rm 2/3)
- Strong Communities (Rm 8/15)
- Emergency Management (Rm 11/12)
4:15 PM - Climate and Energy Action Awards (Rm. 1, hosted by the Community Energy Association) + 2026 nominees
Thursday
7:30 to 8:15 AM
- Interregional Transit and Transportation - Ministry of Transportation & Transit
- Addressing Indigenous-Specific Racism - led by San'yas Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism Training
- Resilient Infrastructure for the Common Good (Rm 8/15)
"Municipalities are under increasing pressure to deliver infrastructure projects quickly, responsibly, and with greater resilience to future conditions. This session will provide delegates with a practical model for accelerating project initiation, strengthening decision-making, improving readiness, and accessing funding options to mitigate the limited resources that we have. Attendees will gain insight and tools on how streamlined procurement approaches can reduce delays in accessing technical support, how early and proactive engineering input can clarify priorities and de-risk projects, and how climate-informed planning can both strengthen access to funding, enable long-term asset management, and reduce lifecycle costs. This session is designed for local government leaders seeking practical, transferable approaches to improve infrastructure delivery, resilience, and value for their communities."
8:35 AM - Address by leader of the Conservative Party of BC Kerry-Lynne Findlay
8:55 - 11:15 AM - Resolutions Session #2
11:15 AM - Address by UBCM President Cori Ramsay
2:30 - 4:30 PM
- Powering BC's Future with BC Hydro (Rm 12) - "Join senior leaders from BC Hydro to learn about: How it is preparing to meet unprecedented 50% growth in demand by 2050, including the rise of energy-intensive sectors like AI data centres; new Power Smart 2.0 conservation programs available to support your community’s goals; and lessons from more than two years of intense collaboration with local governments to deliver critical infrastructure."
- Emergency Management Together - Focus on Emergency and Disaster Management Act with Keith Preston, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
- Active Transportation: Shared Challenges, Practical Solutions - Introduction to BC's updated (2024/25) Active Transportation Planning and Design Guide to support decision-making on safety, accessibility and community livability
- How Modern Treaties Support the Common Good (Rm. 1/2/3) - "Join the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, BC Treaty Commission and Modern Treaty Nations to talk treaties. In this session we will discuss what modern treaties are, how they are developed and their benefits. We’ll highlight success stories with a focus on working with local governments throughout the treaty process and provide updates on current treaty negotiations that are nearing completion" + George Abbott, Chief Commissioner | BC Treaty Commission (Times Colonist article, Aug. 24 + Times Colonist - T'mexw Treaty Update) + T'mexw Treaty Association resources
Friday
8:00 to 11:15 - Resolutions Session #3 (Hall A, final)
11:20 to Noon - Address by Premier David Eby
Noon - Convention Adjourned
Resolutions
2026 Resolutions Book
"Two hundred and twenty-five resolutions were received from the members by the June 15 deadline and have been included in the Resolutions Book. The UBCM Executive are putting forward one Extraordinary Resolution (ER) and three Special Resolutions (SR) for consideration. This makes a total of 229 resolutions in 2026."
- 1 Extraordinary Resolution (UBCM Executive)
- 3 Special Resolutions (UBCM Executive)
- 38 resolutions in the Endorsed Block (last year 95)
- 0 resolutions in the Non-Endorsed Block (last year 3)
- 71 resolutions given No Recommendation (to be considered individually during the convention; last year 122)
- 27 "Referred Resolutions" (which echo others and hence not admitted; last year 50)
Not Admitted For Debate
- new categories in 2026 (based on SR 1- 2025, intended to reduce number of debatable resolutions at conventions and clarify the limits on local government powers)
- 51 Existing Policy (resolutions that align with UBCM policy and hence no need for debate)
- 22 Outside of Local Government Scope
- 1 Clarity/Format
- 10 Regional (deemed too regional in nature and will be referred back to either the sponsor or the Area Association)
Sooke is bringing forward one resolution that resulted from a council delegation this spring by Sooke's Susan Belford, past president of the Active Manufactured Home Owners Society of BC + Sooke News Mirror article (May 15, 2026)
No Recommendation #10 ~ Protection of Manufactured Home Communities
Whereas manufactured home communities contribute to housing diversity in communities across British Columbia and provide an important source of affordable home ownership to people on fixed incomes, aging in place, or starting in the housing market, but that homeowners are uniquely vulnerable to displacement and insecurity due to renting the land their homes sit on;
And whereas existing provincial legislation, including the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, does not consistently provide homeowners sufficient protections to ensure fair compensation, adequate relocation assistance, or transparent communication for homeowners affected by eviction, closure or redevelopment, leading to their relying on a varying patchwork of local government policies:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia work with local governments, homeowners, and industry stakeholders, to review and strengthen the legislative framework governing manufactured home communities with a new and updated Act to better protect homeowners facing eviction, closure or redevelopment;
And be it further resolved that such a review establish consistent provincial standards for fair compensation, relocation assistance, and communication requirements to reduce displacement impacts and support housing stability for current and future manufactured homeowners.
Submitted Directly to UBCM
UBCM Resolutions Committee Recommendation: No Recommendation
UBCM Resolutions Committee Comments: The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution asking the Province to review and strengthen the legislative framework governing manufactured home parks/communities with a new and updated Act to reflect current realities and future possibilities that better protect homeowners facing eviction, closure or redevelopment.
However, the Committee notes that the membership supported two resolutions seeking increased compensation and assistance in the relocation process for displaced manufactured home park tenants (2008-B52, 2006-A2).
- Inspired by the City of Nanaimo's Manufactured Home Community Relocation Assistance Policy "On 2025-NOV-17 Nanaimo Council approved this policy. Manufactured home communities provide important affordable housing in the City of Nanaimo. Residents in manufactured home communities can be vulnerable to displacement and may have limited affordable options when their properties are considered for redevelopment. While the Province offers some protections for residents facing eviction through the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (MHPTA) and Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), this policy ensures additional relocation protections are offered to residents facing displacement when a manufactured home park property is considered for development approval.
City of Nanaimo Policy November, 2025 ~ "While the Province offers some protections for residents facing eviction through the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (MHPTA) and Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), this policy ensures additional relocation protections are offered to residents facing displacement when a manufactured home park property is considered for development approval."
- BC Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act
A second Sooke resolution -- APX64 Food Waste Reduction and Retail Affordability Framework -- was declined.
"Whereas in BC food waste contributes to landfill emissions and economic inefficiency, and many edible food
products are discarded before consumption;
And whereas food affordability challenges continue to affect British Columbians and voluntary retail markdown
systems remain inconsistent;
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Government of British Columbia to develop legislation requiring large
grocery retailers to implement progressive, mandatory price reductions for perishable food products approaching
best-before or expiry dates, alongside complementary food waste reduction and food recovery measures.
UBCM Resolutions Committee Comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that this resolution is deemed to be outside of local government jurisdiction.
2025 - 276 resolutions + Provincial Responses
2024 - 258 resolutions + Provincial Responses
2023 - 202 resolutions + Provincial Responses
Resolutions Archive - 2019 to date
2026 Resolutions
ER1 Extraordinary Resolution to Amend the UBCM Bylaws (UBCM Executive)
Arising from the 2026 Governance Review (see Appendix C of Resolutions Book)
• Increase the upper population limit for the Small Community Representative from 2,500 to 5,000;
• Repurpose one of the two Vancouver Metro Area Representative positions as an Urban Community Representative position for municipalities with a population of 100,000 or greater; and
• Introduce staggered two-year terms for all Executive positions, except the Past President, Officers, and the five Area Association Representatives.
Special Resolution 1 - Reinstatement of Community Housing Fund (UBCM Executive)
Funding for BC Housing's Community Housing Fund was axed in the 2026 BC Budget.
"UBCM continues to advocate for provincial investments in areas of provincial responsibility to support mandated housing targets and densification ... In the absence of sufficient provincial funding, local governments are increasingly incurring significant costs to respond to homelessness, including costs related to shelter and housing provision. This project also highlighted the scale of below-market housing expected under provincial housing target guidelines ... This resolution is consistent with existing policy calling for increased long-term, predictable funding for affordable housing, as well as for the amenities and infrastructure needed to support mandated densification and housing targets."
Special Resolution 2 - FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program (UBCM Executive)
"Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of British Columbia to reinstate stable, predictable, long-term funding for the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program sufficient to support ongoing local FireSmart staffing and mitigation operations, and to ensure communities can plan and implement multi-year wildfire risk reduction initiatives."
Background: See FAQ + Webinar ... "To date, 132 First Nations and 148 local governments have received funding through the FCFS. The Province has provided over $175 million for this program since 2018. The FCFS program closed in January 2026 due to a lack of funding. To ensure a fair process for administering the remaining ($25m) funds available, the program reopened in February 2026 with a competitive adjudicated grant process. This intake closed on April 30 and applications are under review."
Special Resolution 3 - Non-Disclosure Agreements (UBCM Executive)
"UBCM calls upon the Province to restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements in consultations with local governments to exceptional circumstances where confidentiality is demonstrably necessary, to promote transparency and respect for local governments, informed decision-making, and effective policy outcomes."
Background: "The widespread use of the NDAs across all ministries has limited the ability of local governments to provide meaningful input in a transparent manner respectful of local government decision-making processes and jurisdiction. UBCM, and local governments, have communicated the value of early transparent engagement to the Province as necessary to respect local governments as an order of government and partner with the Province, to mitigate the risk of unintended consequences, and strengthen local support for, and trust in, the Province’s legislative agenda."
Endorsed
EB1 Reaffirming Provincial Commitment to the Expansion of $10/Day Child Care (Port Coquitlam)
EB2 Long term Care Beds (Kootenay Boundary RD)
EB3 Health Authority Asset Plans (New Denver)
EB4 Restoration of Critical Capital Projects in Healthcare and Housing (LMLGA Executive)
EB5 BC Housing Data Transparency (Fort St. John)
EB6 Supportive Housing Residential Tenancy Act Amendments (Duncan)
EB7 BC Code Application for Temporary Emergency Shelters (Trail)
EB8 Property and Public Disorder Intervention Initiative (Duncan)
EB9 Policing Costs (Mission)
EB10 Additional Resource Allocation for BC Crown Counsel (Prince George)
EB11 Provincial Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund (Parksville)
EB12 Local Government Climate Action Funding (New Westminster)
EB13 Building Energy Regulations and Rural Infrastructure Readiness (Burns Lake)
EB14 Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy (Fort St. John)
EB15 Continuation of the Bear Smart Program (Port Moody)
EB16 Invasive Plant Concerns (Cariboo RD)
EB17 Spongy Moth Eradication Programs and Community Consultation (Delta)
EB18 Treaty Negotiations (Harrison Hot Springs)
EB19 Transparency in Indigenous Negotiations (Pouce Coupe)
EB20 Creating an Indigenous-Led, Cross-Sector Housing Alliance (Chilliwack)
EB21 Revenue Sharing of PST and GST with Local Governments (Barriere)
EB22 Modernize Industrial Water Rates (Lake Country)
EB23 Establishing Local Watershed Boards Across BC (Sunshine Coast RD)
EB24 Strengthening the Administration of BC’s Private Managed Forest Land Program to Protect Water, Fish Habitat and Community Confidence (Cowichan Valley RD)
EB25 Foreshore Lease Applications (Sicamous)
EB26 Use of Personal Mobility Devices and Micro-Mobility Devices (Langley City)
EB27 Updates to the BC Motor Vehicle Act (Nanaimo City)
EB28 Restoring Funding for Road Safety (New Westminster)
EB29 Provincial Responsibility for Rural Active Transportation Corridors (Central Kootenay)
EB30 Improving Highway Rights of Way (Fort St. John)
EB31 Ministry of Forests Binding Materials (Zeballos)
EB32 Off-Road Vehicle Management Framework (Sicamous)
EB33 Regional Consultation for Heritage Conservation Act and UNDRIP (Kamloops, Lytton)
EB34 Fair Property Taxation through Accurate BC Assessment (Ucluelet)
EB35 Engagement on Pipeline Valuation Changes (Abbotsford)
EB36 Raw Log Exports (Nanaimo City)
EB37 Electrical Reliability and Capacity in Rural Communities (McBride)
EB38 Consistent Correspondence Response (Zeballos)
No Recommendation (to be debated from the floor, time permitting)
NR1 Brain Injury Supports (Revelstoke)
NR2 Provincial Support for Rural Emergency and Safety Needs (Trail)
NR3 Policy Exemption to Permit HEARTH Program Funding for Recovery-Based Housing (Duncan)
NR4 Emergency Weather Shelter Flexibility During Extreme Events (Fernie)
NR5 Conversion of Extreme Weather Response Shelters (Kitimat)
NR6 Provision of Short-Term Rental Legislation Data (Vernon)
NR7 Simplifying Federal Tax Reporting for Small-Scale Residential Rentals (Nelson)
NR8 Provision of Data Concerning the Speculation and Vacancy Tax (Vernon)
NR9 Provincial Standards for Unconventional Housing (Cowichan Valley RD)
NR10 Protection of Manufactured Home Communities (Sooke)
NR11 Recreational Vehicle Tenant Protection (Langley Township)
NR12 Scaling Building Code Requirements (Nanaimo RD)
NR13 Northern and Rural Area Homeowner Grant Benefit (Bulkley-Nechako RD, Prince Rupert)
NR14 Expand Emergency Management Climate Readiness Funding Programs for Emergency Response (Rossland)
NR15 Public Safety Power Shutoff (Kootenay Boundary RD)
NR16 FireSmart Long-Term Funding for Community Wildfire Response Groups (Thompson-Nicola RD)
NR17 Indigenous-Led Fibre Recovery for Wildfire Reduction (Williams Lake)
NR18 Provincial Diking Reform (Merritt)
NR19 Advancing a Vision Zero Approach to Road Safety (New Westminster)
NR20 Provincial Standards, Funding, and Regional Solutions for Police Detention Services (Central Saanich)
NR21 Authorization for Municipal Use of CCTV Cameras for Public Safety Surveillance (White Rock)
NR22 Regulating Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Democracy (Victoria)
NR23 Data Centre Concerns (Kootenay Boundary RD)
NR24 Point-of-Entry Disinfection Approval Framework (Okanagan-Similkameen RD)
NR25 Biosolids (Kootenay Boundary RD)
NR26 Soil Relocation Regulations (Oak Bay)
NR27 Equipment Seizure on Agricultural Land Reserves (Fraser Valley RD)
NR28 Provincial Certification for Mosquito Control Drone Technology (Columbia Shuswap RD)
NR29 Strengthening Air Quality Regulation, Monitoring and Transparency in BC (Squamish)
NR30 Advocacy to Create Enabling Authorities Allowing Local Governments to Regulate Carbon Pollution from
Existing Buildings (Victoria)
NR31 Adopt CleanBC Review Recommendations (Kamloops)
NR32 Pursuing a Class-Action Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies (Victoria)
Emails received: "At this year's UBCM conference, I’m asking you to vote YES on NR32: Pursuing a Class-Action Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies. NR32 urges the Province to take a leadership role – in collaboration with local governments and First Nations – in pursuing legal action to recover these costs, as it has done against Opioid and Tobacco manufacturers. The case is straightforward. Fossil fuel products are the principal driver of climate change, and the lawsuit would target fossil fuel companies that knowingly misled the public for decades to keep increasing their profits – all while our local governments, and taxpayers like me, are left paying to repair the damage. It isn't fair that our community shoulders these costs alone while the corporations most responsible pay nothing. Please stand up for Sooke and vote in favour of NR32."
NR33 Compensation for Food Recovery Programs (Revelstoke)
NR34 Upholding North Coast Tanker Ban (Victoria)
NR35 Exempting Local Governments from Expanded Provincial Sales Tax (Abbotsford)
NR36 Eligibility Expenses for Grant-Funded Projects (Okanagan-Similkameen RD)
NR37 Community Works Funding and Third Parties (Kootenay Boundary RD)
NR38 Regional Construction Cost Adjustment in Provincial Funding Programs (Smithers)
NR39 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Funding Stream (Harrison Hot Springs)
NR40 Small Rural Municipal Road Infrastructure Funding (Telkwa)
NR41 Improvement District Governance: Policy Statement 2006 (qathet RD)
NR42 Protection of Fee Simple Property Rights (Pouce Coupe)
NR43 Protection and Optimization of Industrial Lands (Fraser Valley RD)
NR44 Use of Crown Land Prior to Local Government Land for Provincial Projects (Smithers)
NR45 Community Supported Agriculture Incentive Program (Metchosin)
NR46 Agricultural Land Reserve Residential Flexibility (qathet RD)
NR47 Tax Regime on Clean Energy Projects (Peace River RD)
NR48 Repeal or Amend the Ports Property Tax Act to Address Impacts on Host Municipalities (North Vancouver)
NR49 Revisiting Advocacy for “Split Assessment through a New Commercial Sub-Class” (Port Moody)
NR50 Increase Municipality Authority Regarding Tax Sales (Clinton)
NR51 Changes to Provincial Property Tax Deferment Program (Esquimalt)
NR52 Active Transportation as a Core Ministry Priority (Comox Valley RD)
NR53 Need for Province-Wide Regulation of Electric Kick Scooters (New Westminster)
NR54 Regulating Electric Dirt Bikes (Port Moody)
NR55 Two-Tiered Transit Financing Model (Highlands)
NR56 Access to Affordable Gravel for Local Government Infrastructure (McBride)
NR57 Publicly Accessible Website for Tracking Gazetted Gravel Road Maintenance (Thompson-Nicola RD)
NR58 Strengthening Northern British Columbia’s Transportation Corridors to Drive Major Projects (Prince George)
NR59 Preservation and Revitalization of Strategic Provincial Rail Corridor (Squamish)
NR60 Legislative Safeguards for Ethical and Inclusive Local Governance (Kimberley)
NR61 Remuneration while on Mandatory Leave (Penticton)
NR62 Letters Patent for New Municipalities (Okanagan-Similkameen RD)
NR63 Increase Maximum Fine Amounts for Tree Bylaw Violations (White Rock)
NR64 Expansion of Strata Accommodation Property Definition (Tofino)
NR65 Split Tax Classification for Short-Term Rentals Based on Floor Area (Tofino)
NR66 Creation of Farm-Use Subclasses for Property Taxation (Coldstream)
NR67 Tax Fairness for Port Communities (Delta)
NR68 Class 5 Digital Infrastructure (Mackenzie)
NR69 Amending the Depreciation of Industrial and Electrical Power Generating Facility Improvements Regulation (Bulkley-Nechako, Fraser Lake, Prince George)
NR70 Immediate Action Required to Prevent Irreversible Economic Harm (Campbell River)
NR71 Funding Support for Public Engagement and Communications in Small Communities (Pemberton)
Rejected: Outside Local Government Scope
APX52 Post-Secondary Affordability (Victoria)
APX53 Student Food Security Grant (Oak Bay)
APX54 Access to Affordable Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) (Port Hardy)
APX55 Enhanced Mental Health Support Following Infant Loss (New Westminster)
APX56 Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit Duration (Burns Lake)
APX57 Violence in Healthcare and Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios (Prince Rupert)
APX58 Public Safety Personnel Network (PSPNET) Program (Langley Township)
APX59 Calling for a Cumulative Health Impact Assessment of BC’s LNG Industry (New Westminster)
APX60 Online Marketplace Accountability (Nelson)
APX61 Online Harm Accountability (Nelson)
APX62 Restricting the Access of Children to Social Media and AI Chatbots (Prince George)
APX63 CC-130H Hercules Fleet (Alberni-Clayoquot RD)
APX64 Food Waste Reduction and Retail Affordability Framework (Sooke)
APX65 Overturn Changes to PST Legislation (Squamish)
APX66 Triple Net Lease Reform (New Westminster)
APX67 Student Ferry Fares (Oak Bay)
APX68 Restrooms at Rest Stops (Kootenay Boundary RD)
APX69 Expand Pilot Education Support (Kamloops)
APX70 Local Procurement Policies and Practices (Houston)
APX71 Federal Minister of Forests (Prince George)
APX72 Teacher Workforce Sustainability (NCLGA Executive)
APX73 Improving Supports for Newcomers (Port Moody)
From this blog:
* AVICC 2026 Convention
* UBCM 2025 Convention
* AVICC 2025 Convention
* UBCM 2024 Convention
* UBCM 2023 Convention
Back to the convention's theme ...
Perspective from Together for the Common Good, a Christian UK charity "dedicated to civic and spiritual renewal" inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
What the Common Good is Not
- The Common Good is not utopian - it isn't about perfection, but messier and more beautifully human than any utopian ideal could be. It cannot, by definition, be imposed. Is generated as people participate freely.
- it is not politically partisan - it requires a sense of mutual obligation and a non tribal approach. It challenges injustice, systems and ideologies which dehumanise, on both the left and the right - in this sense the Common Good properly understood is non partisan. It is therefore a counterbalance to collectivism and individualism
- it is not 'woke' - unlike identity politics the Common Good approach does not categorise people by group identity. Inspired by the gospel, it holds the human person at its heart so people are valued both for their own uniqueness and in relationship with others. Rather than 'de-platforming', the Common Good approach requires people to 'stay in the room' and negotiate.
- it is not imposed from above - it cannot, by definition, be imposed - not by a state, a group, church or any agency. It is by definition bottom up, generated by people freely contributing, each according to their unique individual vocational responsibility.
Bonus: Grok answers the following ~ "Define "the common good" in secular terms"
"The common good is the shared conditions, rules, resources, and habits that help as many people as possible live well, make their own choices, and reach their potential—while cutting down widespread harm and the problem of people taking benefits without helping. It includes fair and reliable laws, safety from violence, working basic services, things everyone can use (like shared knowledge and public health), and rewards that turn individual effort into benefits for many. We judge it by real results—more opportunity, safety, and strength to handle problems—not by matching any political belief. It creates the foundation where people can freely work together and disagree thoughtfully, without force."
Open the infographic links below here - https://togetherforthecommongood.co.uk/about/common-good-thinking
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