UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) is ready to work with B.C.’s new government

Courtesy of the Union of BC Municipalities:

The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) congratulates BC Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson and the Conservative Party of British Columbia on their election victory.

“As local governments begin a new term of office, we are ready to work with B.C.’s new government,” said Mayor Sarrah Storey, UBCM’s President. “Throughout the campaign Mr. Doerkson said his government will renew the relationship with local governments. That’s welcome news as we face complex issues like housing affordability, street disorder and emergency preparedness. B.C.’s communities are stronger when we work together.” 

Doerkson has described the provincial relationship with local governments as ‘strained’ and highlighted the need for the Province to work collaboratively with local governments. The Conservative Party made several commitments that relate directly to local governments, including an infrastructure plan that supports population growth, a wildfire action plan, investment in services to reduce street disorder and repealing Bill 44. The Conservatives have also committed to introducing legislation to ensure that local and provincial elections will never overlap again. 

“Priorities in the Conservative Party platform speak to long standing local government concerns,” said Storey. “Local governments are looking for meaningful consultation with the Province focused on achieving practical, effective solutions. There is much that needs to be done, and we look forward to engaging with the Province once the transition is complete.”

Mayor Storey acknowledges Mr. David Eby’s many years of public service and wishes him the best as he leaves the offices of Premier and Leader of the NDP.

Sarrah Storey is the Mayor of Fraser Lake. Storey, previously UBCM’s 1st VP, was appointed UBCM President, following the local government general election. Sarrah was first elected to UBCM’s board in 2020. 

New President of UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities)

Courtesy of the Union of BC Municipalities:

Following the results of the local government election, UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) First Vice President Sarrah Storey has been appointed to the position of President for 2026-2027 in accordance with UBCM bylaws. Sarrah is beginning her third term as Mayor of Fraser Lake and has served in various positions on the UBCM board since 2020.

Sarrah's leadership experience and commitment to local government will serve the UBCM membership well, and UBCM looks forward to supporting her in this role as she begins her term as President.

Jenna Stoner was elected as UBCM’s President in September at UBCM Convention, but was not elected in her bid to become mayor of Squamish. We are grateful to Jenna for her years of service on UBCM’s board, and her commitment to her community. 

UBCM President Sarrah Storey: 

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the UBCM board members who were not re-elected this year. Your leadership and service have made a meaningful difference, both in your communities and at UBCM. We deeply respect everyone who put their name forward for local office, and we are truly sorry to lose your voices and experience from our board table.”

Keith Page, Councillor for Nelson, will remain UBCM’s 3rd Vice President. 

At its November meeting, the UBCM Executive will consider a process to fill existing vacancies on the Board in accordance with provisions outlined in the UBCM By-laws and Executive Policies. Information will be shared with the membership as this process unfolds.

In the meantime, the UBCM President and Executive members will continue advancing the priorities of UBCM's membership and working with the newly elected BC Conservative government on issues of importance to local governments throughout British Columbia.

UBCM Delegates call for seperation between Local and Provincial General Elections

Courtesy of the Union of BC Municipalities:

Union of B.C. Municipalities President (and Prince George City Councillor) Cori Ramsay defended the concept of distinct election periods for local and provincial elections earlier today. 

“With rampant speculation that a snap provincial election is imminent, it is incumbent on provincial leaders to uphold the principle of separate periods for local and provincial elections,” said Ramsay. “The campaign period for local elections is about to begin in 188 communities across the province. With over 3,500 candidates competing and with a wide range of issues facing B.C.’s communities, residents cannot afford to be distracted from local campaigns by a snap provincial election call.”

The formal campaign period for the local government general election will get underway September 19, with a general vote to be held October 17. British Columbia has distinct statutory election dates to avoid simultaneous local and provincial election races. To prevent overlapping elections, the province has offset the four-year election cycles for the province and local governments. 

“Ramsay: At a time when B.C. is facing considerable economic and social uncertainty, overlapping elections would be a disservice to our citizens. One hopes that provincial parties would temper election rhetoric as local campaigns are set to begin, but the spiral of speculation continues. It is an opportune time to recall that distinct election periods are a foundational concept for elections in British Columbia that should not be discarded.”

Even if the election date for a snap provincial election is October 24, 2026 or later, advance voting dates and advertising would overlap with the local government election period. 

UBCM calls for more time to get Heritage Conservation Act right

Courtesy of the Union of BC Municipalities:

UBCM has shared a report with the Province of British Columbia indicating that proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act will require more engagement with local governments, First Nations, and other stakeholders to effectively renew the current legislation

More on this at https://www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/latest-news/time-needed-province-get-heritage-conservation-act-right

UBCM 2025 - Day 5 of 5

Today is the Final Day (Day 5) of the 122nd (2025) Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Victoria, BC.  The Convention guidebook and other related material can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2025-convention/program

For UBCM2025/UBCM25 Delegates - today is also Orange Shirt Day! 

On today's Agenda:

* Federal Government Address - Hon. Gregor Robertson (Federal Minister of Housing/Infrastructure) 

* Complete Resolutions Debate/Decision -- any Resolutions not completed will be referred to the 2025-2026 UBCM Executive for follow-up/decision

* Provincial Government Address - Hon. David Eby (Premier of BC) 

* Adjourn 2025 UBCM Convention 

Once home from the UBCM Convention -- I will post my usual Post Event Report respecting my attendance at the 2025 UBCM Convention for my constituents... 

Have a great Friday, 

~SF

UBCM 2025 - Day 4 of 5

Today is Day 4 of 5 of the 122nd (2025) Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Vancouver, BC.  The Convention Guide can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2025-convention/program

As to my Agenda today:

* Continuation of Resolutions Debate/Decision

* Address by Provincial Leader of the Opposition in the BC Legislature

* Heritage Conservation: Proposed Legislative Changes

Have a great Thursday, 

~SF

UBCM 2025 - Day 3 of 5

Today is Day 3 of 5 of the 122nd (2025) Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Victoria, BC.  The formal portion of the Convention starts today.  The Convention Guide can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2025-convention/program

Today -- I will be attending: 

* Invasive Species Risk and Community Readiness

* Convention Opening Session and AGM Business

* 1st Round of Resolutions Debate/Decision

* Cabinet Town Hall (Strong Communities)

In addition, with a number of my Cariboo RD colleagues from Areas A,G, -- I will be meeting with representatives from Enbridge regarding an update for their Sunrise Expansion Program (https://www.enbridge.com/projects-and-infrastructure/projects/sunrise-expansion-program)

Have a great Wednesday, 

~SF

UBCM 2023 - Day 1 of 5

Today - the 120th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) commences in downtown Vancouver, BC and will conclude at noon on Friday, September 22nd.  The first two days of the Convention will be pre-Convention sessions of clinics and various other learning and networking opportunities with the formal part of the Convention commencing Wednesday and conclude Friday with an address from the Hon. David Eby - Premier of British Columbia.  The full Convention program can be viewed here

Today -- I will be attending Shared Path of Reconciliation (9:30 -10:30 am), then Implementing UNDRIP: Guidance for Local Governments (10:30 - 11:30 am) and then an informal meeting of NCLGA Directors' at lunchtime...

In the afternoon -- I'll be attending Tools for Mindfulness and Stress Reduction and then Beyond Balance: Bypassing Barriers and finally the Electoral Area Directors' "Meet and Greet" in the evening... 

Have a great day, 

SF

Regulation urged for short-term accommodations industry

Courtesy of the Union of BC Municipalities:

The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) has made 13 requests of the province to consider in order to establish a regulatory framework for the short-term accommodations industry, similar to those in place for ride-hailing and other regulated industries.

While local governments in B.C. have tools to regulate short-term rentals for vacationers and others, most lack the capacity to enforce them.  

The ever-expanding online accommodation bookings industry has reduced long-term rental housing capacity at a time when housing availability and costs are already under pressure. At the same time, a property’s earning potential from short-term rental use leads to higher prices in the market than local incomes can support.  

On top of this, local governments are unable to obtain complete and accurate data needed to understand exactly what is happening with short-term rentals in their own community.

At the province’s request, a Joint UBCM-Province Advisory Group conducted an analysis and asked local governments to make recommendations for the province’s further consideration.

Key among local governments’ requests for action:

• Introduce a provincial regulatory framework, similar to those in place for ride-sharing and other regulated industries, for platform accountability and information validation for online accommodation platforms and short-term rental hosts.
• Require all online accommodation platforms to make data available through a provincial interface from which local governments can pull information on property listings, hosts, bookings, and complaints in their community.
• Require online accommodation platforms to publish business license or permit information with local governments directly on the platform to prevent false information in listings.
• Introduce legislation to make tax collection of PST and the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) at the point of booking a requirement for online accommodation platforms.
• Investigate changes to the MRDT to increase consistency across the province and expand the use of that tax revenue to offset impacts to housing and neighbourhoods.

“These requests for action would significantly reduce the regulatory burden for local governments, while continuing to offer flexibility to balance regulation with the benefits of having short-term rentals available,” says Jack Crompton, Whistler mayor and co-chair of the Joint UBCM – Province Advisory Group on Short-Term Rentals. "The report also acknowledges that there is a need for improved data on short term rentals in BC communities to support effective regulation, and the need for a provincial interface that is available to local governments.”

“Local governments recognize the need to protect the stock of long-term rental homes in B.C.’s communities,” said Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, UBCM President. “The report of the Advisory Group provides the province with priorities and ideas to address the range of local government concerns with the current weaknesses in short-term rental regulation. UBCM looks forward to provincial policy development and action keeping pace with the impacts resulting from this fast-growing industry.”
 
The province’s Rental Housing Taskforce recommended in December 2018 that the province work with local governments to collaborate on short-term rental rules to better protect long-term rental stock. The province and UBCM established the Joint UBCM – Province Advisory Group on Short-Term Rentals in the fall of 2019 to hear from local governments about the impacts of short-term rentals and the tools for addressing them. 

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

SF

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

#UBCM2021 - Day 2 of 4

Today is Day 2 of 4 of #UBCM21 or the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities Convention 

Here's a wrap on yesterday's proceedings at Day 1 of the UBCM Convention - click here

As to Day 2:

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

* 2021 Resolutions Debate - For the full 2021 UBCM Resolutions Book, click here while the 2021 UBCM Resolutions Debate Process is explained here

* Address to UBCM Delegates from PG-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond - BC's Interim Leader of the Opposition

* Concurrent Workshops from 1:20 to 2:35pm -- 

Housing Prospects, Trends & Key Issues or Meeting the Need: Shared RD Services

* Concurrent Workshops from 3:00 to 4:15pm -- 

Tourism Recovery Through Collaboration or Global Warning: Lessons from the 2021 Heat Wave

View the full Program Guide here

UBCM 2021 Begins - Day 1 of 4

After last night's Virtual Networking session for #UBCM2021 Delegates -- the official start of the 2021 Union of BC Municipalities Virtual Convention gets underway at 9am today.  The UBCM Program can be viewed here

General outline of today's activities at #UBCM2021:

* Opening Ceremonies

* Annual General Meeting Proceedings

* Addresses by BC Municipal Affairs Minister, the Hon. Josie Osborne & FCM President Joanne Vanderheyden (Councillor, Middlesex County, Ontario)

* Plenary Presentation: Pathways to Truth and Reconciliation featuring the Honourable Murray Sinclair

* Concurrent Workshops -- Primer on Climate Action and Municipal Pension Plan Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency

SF

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..