Post Event Report -- 2021 UBCM/Union of BC Municipalities Annual Convention

As is my usual practice after attending a local government seminar, conference or convention -- you can review my Post Event Report respecting my attendance at the 2021 UBCM/Union of BC Municipalities Annual Convention

Click here

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Williams Lake Council Sees Successful Resolutions and Discussions at UBCM Convention

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

At the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Virtual Convention held this week, two resolutions submitted by the City of Williams Lake were endorsed, with a third being considered post-Convention due to time constraints.

Two health-related resolutions addressing the general physician shortage and shared access to medical records among health professionals were included in the Resolutions session. 

“Increasing the number of medical school graduates to meet the needs for general physicians in British Columbia is absolutely critical,” said Williams Lake City Councillor Sheila Boehm. “We are encouraged that the resolution to lobby the provincial government to engage or support our universities to increase seats for medical students in BC was passed, and look forward to seeing real action on this call that affects the entire province, particularly rural communities.”

A resolution urging health authorities in the province to grant online access to health records for allied health professionals in BC (including physiotherapists, psychologists, chiropractors, and other professionals) will be considered post-Convention. 

A third resolution calling for stronger sentencing and consistent use of electronic monitoring for prolific and repeat offenders being released into the community was successful. 

“Council continues to push for a review of the judicial process to impose sentences that will keep criminals off the streets, and to help alleviate the burden on the RCMP by using electronic monitoring for prolific and repeat offenders released on conditions,” said Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb. 

In a virtual meeting between Council and Hon. David Eby, Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Housing preceding the UBCM Convention, discussion included the call for a public enquiry to determine why so many prolific offenders with serious charges are released into our community with ineffective deterrents to re-offend, as well as opportunities for supportive housing to help address underlying mental health and addiction issues. 

“We understand that this is a complex issue, and we are holding the Province accountable for taking concrete action to address these significant threats to community safety,” said Williams Lake City Councillor Scott Nelson. “This is not just a Williams Lake issue – it affects communities across the province, and I am pleased that our resolution received support from the UBCM member local governments.”

Following the results of the recently adopted Central Cariboo Housing Capacity and Gap Analysis Report, which clearly identifies the urgent need for an additional 800+ new units in the region, Council also attended a virtual meeting with Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services; Hon. David Eby, Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Housing, and Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, to discuss opportunities for housing in Williams Lake. 

“With the School District undergoing a land disposition process for some of its former school sites, and with identified opportunities for possible Crown land development, the City continues to urge the Province to consider creative ways to expedite housing development to address the housing crisis in our community,” said Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb.

The City will continue to communicate with the Province to ensure follow-up and an action plan for these initiatives

Final Day of #UBCM2021

Today is the final day of #UBCM21 or the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities Convention 

Here's a wrap on yesterday's proceedings at Day 3 of the UBCM Convention - click here

As to Day 4:

* Cabinet Panels -- Supporting Resilient Communities, Planning & Building for Growth, A Stronger BC for Everyone  

* Installation of 2021-22 UBCM President Laurey-Anne Roodenburg (Councillor, City of Quesnel)

* Address from the Hon. John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia

* Conclusion/Adjournment of the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities Convention

View the full 2021 UBCM Convention Program Guide here

The 2022 UBCM Convention is scheduled to be held in Whistler, BC in September 2022 - the final UBCM Convention prior to mandatory BC Local Government Elections to be held on October 15th, 2022 

#UBCM2021 - Day 3 of 4

Today is Day 3 of 4 of #UBCM21 or the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities Convention 

Here's a wrap on yesterday's proceedings at Day 2 of the UBCM Convention - click here

As to Day 3:

* Resource Breakfast Series - Focus on BC's Forestry Sector

* 2021 Resolutions Debate (2nd Day) - For the full 2021 UBCM Resolutions Book, click here while the 2021 UBCM Resolutions Debate Process is explained here

* Keynote Address to UBCM Delegates: Canadian comedian Rick Mercer

* Address to UBCM Delegates from BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau

* Concurrent Workshops

i) Modernizing Forestry Policy in BC

ii) Is Your Local Government safe from a Cyberattack?

View the full 2021 UBCM Convention Program Guide here

Cariboo RD tables two motions at 2021 UBCM Convention

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Editor's Note: A resolution in support of the independent fire departments in the Cariboo Regional District as well as support for high speed Internet/cell services in rural areas of the Province are both going before the Union of BC Municipalities or UBCM Convention this coming week, starting Wednesday morning. Both of these resolutions were endorsed by the membership of the North Central Local Government Association or NCLGA back in May of this year. Under UBCM Resolution session rules — the resolution concerning support for high-speed Internet/cell services in Rural BC will not be up for debate, unless the UBCM resolution(s) has been requested for individual consideration and will be deemed referred to the UBCM Executive (I don’t expect this will be the case). The resolution in consideration of support for independent/non-aligned fire departments is up for debate and is expected to be debated either Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Given a similar resolution easily passed in 2019, I do expect this resolution of the Cariboo Regional District will pass before the end of the week.

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) annual meeting begins on September 14. Representatives of nearly 200 local government and First Nation member organizations from around the province will meet to discuss their issues and priorities. Two motions from the Cariboo Regional District will be on the 2021 agenda -- highlighting the need for improved broadband access and regulatory changes to assist independent fire halls in the region.

Resolution EB47 (Ensuring Access to Broadband and Cellular Services in BC) asks the UBCM to “lobby the federal and provincial governments to directly invest in the ownership and development of the needed capital infrastructure to facilitate effective, efficient, and cost-effective broadband services in rural and remote communities where a private sector business case does not exist.”

Resolution NR9 (Funding for Independent Fire Services), if passed, would have the UBCM “lobby the provincial government for specific legal and statutory measures designed to remove any and all legal or financial risk from local government for providing financial or other supports to independent fire services.”

“The CRD’s recently-completed broadband report, and this year’s wildfire season highlight the need for both issues to be at the top of the priority list for our provincial and federal government partners,” says Cariboo Regional District Chair Margo Wagner. “We believe our local issues here in the Cariboo are also reflected in communities across the country. I am hopeful these resolutions will be supported at the convention and our concerns will be heard and acted upon by decision-makers in Victoria and Ottawa.”

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Sept 13-17, 2021

Next week - the following local governments of the Cariboo-Chilcotin are meeting as follows:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, September 14th at 7pm.  When available, the Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel - Meetings as noted below:

1) Executive Committee - Wednesday, Sept 15th

2) Special Closed City Council - Wednesday, September 15th at 5pm (closed pursuant to Sections 90(1g - litigation or potential litigation and 1k - negotiations) of the Community Charter 

3) Policy/Bylaw Committee - Thursday, Sept 16th

Full details on the above noted meeting can be viewed here

100 Mile House - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 14th at 7pm - 100 Mile House Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Bylaw Officer's Report for August 2021

* Tourism Relief Funding

* Property Taxes Report for 2021

* National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Sept 30th, 2021

* Sani Dump Contribution Renewal Agreement between 100 Mile House and the Cariboo RD

View the full Agenda here

Finally - the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities or UBCM Convention is taking place online starting Monday, September 13th in the afternoon with the AGM of the Municipal Insurance Association of BC then the rest of the Convention will follow.  Convention Agenda can be viewed here.  I will do up a "Post Event" report, following the Convention along with daily reports from the Convention..