Post Event Report -- 2022 UBCM Convention from Sept 12-16, 2022

As is my usual practice following attendance at a Conference, Convention or Seminar....

Here is my Post Event Report respecting my attendance at the 119th/2022 Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (soon to be Union of BC Local Governments') from September 12-16, 2022 in the Resort Municipality of Whistler, BC- click here

~SF

UBCM 2022 - Day 5 of 5

Today is the Final Day (Day 5) of the 119th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Whistler, BC.  The Convention guidebook and other related material can be viewed here.  For #UBCM2022/#UBCM22 Delegates - today is also Orange Shirt Day!

After the Convention concludes at 12 noon, UBCM Delegates will head back home to their local communities and campaign for re-election (if they have made that choice); observe the election process, if acclaimed for another term or relax for the last 60 days or so of their elected term before heading into retirement or something else...

On Day #5:

7:00 am - 8:30 am	Delegates' Buffet Breakfast sponsored by BC Dairy and BC's supply managed commodities
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Election for Executive Positions continues
8:00 am - 10:45 am	Report on Resolutions Received after the Deadline Resolutions Session Continues
10:45 am - 11:00 am	Installation of President Elect Port of Vancouver Alaska Cruise Prize Draw*
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Address by the Premier
12:00 pm	Adjourn

UBCM 2022 - Day 4 of 5

Today is Day 4 of 5 of the 119th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Whistler, BC.  The Convention Guide can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2022-convention

On Day #4:

7am - 8am: Delegates' Continental Breakfast
7:30 am - 8:15 am	Clinics  National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Archaeological Resources Management and Available Tools Airports - Critical Social-Economic Drivers for Communities The Predicting and Alerting for Coastal Flooding Project Food Systems. Climate Action. Local Government.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
8:00 am - 9:00 am	Election of Table Officers
8:30 am - 8:35 am	Second Report of the Nominating Committee for Executive positions
8:35 am - 8:55 am	Address by Leader of the Opposition
8:55 am - 11:30 am	Resolutions Session Continues
11:30 am - 11:35 am	Nominations from the Floor for Executive positions
11:35 am - 12:00 pm	Candidates' Speeches
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm	Delegates' Lunch Presentation of Long-Service Awards
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Workshops  Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency - Update on the UBCM / Province MOU Modernizing B.C.'s Emergency Management Legislation Community Child Care Creation in BC Role of Local Governments in Supporting Seniors Lessons from an Atmospheric River: Insights for Local Governments
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Election of Remaining Executive Positions (as necessary)
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm	UBCM Banquet Reception
7:30 pm	Annual Banquet Presentation of Life Memberships

I have no meetings scheduled with Provincial Ministers' nor Provincial Ministry Staff 

Have a great Thursday! 

 Steve

UBCM 2022 - Day 3 of 5

Today is Day 3 of 5 of the 119th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Whistler, BC.  The formal portion of the Convention starts today.  The Convention Guide can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2022-convention

On Day #3:

7:00 am - 4:00 pm	Registration
7:00 am - 8:30 am	Delegates' Continental Breakfast
7:30 am - 8:15 am	Clinics Local Government's Role in BC's Mental Health Crisis Youth Climate Corps Renewable Energy and Local Economic Development Exploring Immigration Solutions for Community Economic Challenges Advancing the TRC Calls to Action
8:30 am - 9:00 am	Convention Opening Session
9:00 am - 9:20 am	Annual Meeting
9:20 am - 9:25 am	First Report of the Nominating Committee
9:25 am - 10:25 am	Keynote Address: Althia Raj
10:25 am - 10:40 am	Address by the Leader of the Green Party
10:40 am - 11:55 am	Principal Policy Session: Resolutions
11:55 am - 12:00 pm	Nominations from the Floor for Table Officer Positions
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm	Area Association Lunches
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm	Address by the Minister of Municipal Affairs
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm	Candidate Speeches (as necessary)
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm	Election of Table Officers (opens as necessary)
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm	Cabinet Town Halls  Housing Emergency Preparedness Stronger Public Services
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm	Presentation of 2022 Energy & Climate Action Awards
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm	BC Government Reception
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm	Paper Excellence Canada Reception
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm	Canadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia Reception

I have a meeting scheduled with the Official Opposition critics for Municipal Affairs and Housing to discuss Housing Opportunities/Challenges from an Electoral Area perspective.. 

 Have a great Wednesday, Steve

UBCM 2022 - Day 2 of 5

Today is Day 2 of 5 of the 119th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities being held in Whistler, BC.  The Convention guidebook and other related material can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2022-convention

I'll be attending the "EA Directors' Forum" and then the Forum's Lunch to follow and in the afternoon, the Plenary Session on Healthcare as well as a Plenary Session on "Connectivity Readiness for Communities" and then the Welcoming Reception in the evening

On Day #2:

7:00 am - 8:30 am	Clinics Continental Breakfast
7:00 am - 5:00 pm	Registration
7:30 am - 8:30 am	Clinics Strengthening Responsible Conduct BC Public Libraries: To Infinity and Beyond Development of B.C.'s Hydrogen Sector BC's Economic Plan: A Plan for Today, A Vision for Tomorrow Local Grown Solutions to Homelessness and Addiction
8:45 am - 11:45 am	Electoral Area Directors' Forum Small Talk Forum Mid-Sized Communities Forum Large Urban Communities Forum
11:45 am - 1:15 pm	Forum Lunches
1:30 pm - 3:15 pm	Plenary Session Re-envisioning Health Care in BC
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm	Provincial Policy Sessions CleanBC Local Government Climate Action Program Developing an Old Growth Strategy for British Columbia Connectivity Readiness for Communities Reimagining Tourism in BC
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Municipal Insurance Association - Voting Member Orientation
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Municipal Insurance Association AGM
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm	Municipal Finance Authority Semi-Annual Meeting
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm	UBCM Community Excellence Awards Ceremony & Reception
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm	Welcome Reception

I have no Minister nor Provincial Ministry Staff meetings scheduled 

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

UBCM 2022 - Day 1 of 5

Today - the 119th Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) commences in Whistler, BC and will conclude at noon on Friday, September 16th.  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. John Horgan - Premier of British Columbia

I'll be attending the "Learnings from the Lytton Fire" as well as "Inclusive Local Governance" then the Electoral Area Directors' Meet and Greet this evening 

The full program during the 119th Annual Convention of UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) can be viewed at https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/2022-convention/2022-convention-program

On Day #1:

Monday, September 12
7:00 am - 5:00 pm	Registration
8:00 am - 4:15 pm	UBCM Agricultural Study Tour
9:00 am - 12:00 pm	Study Sessions: Investigating Public Safety Reform Housing Futures, Housing Solutions Learnings from the Lytton Fire: Preventing Future Wildfire Disasters
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm	Study Sessions: Inclusive Local Governance = Diverse Voices at the Table Decriminalization and Harm Reduction: Key Considerations for Local Governments Reconciliation in Action
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Electoral Area Directors' Meet & Greet

I have no Minister nor Provincial Ministry Staff meetings scheduled today! 

Have a wonderful Monday

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Gov'ts at #UBCM2022/#UBCM22 - Sept. 12-16, 2022

Both Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments' and Boards' of Education are not scheduled to hold meetings during the week of September 12-16, 2022 as Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments (Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Cariboo Regional District Area Directors') are in attendance at the 2022 Union of BC Municipalities' Convention being held during the week of September 12-16, 2022 at Whistler while Boards' of Education will be holding their 1st meetings' of the 2022-2023 School Year in mid to late September 

The only scheduled local government committee meeting during the week of September 12-16, 2022 is Quesnel Council's Policy/Bylaw Committee which is currently scheduled to proceed on Thursday, September 15th and the Agenda for the meeting can be accessed here

I will have daily posts from the UBCM Convention next week.... 

~SF

Williams Lake in Top 4 Communities at 11,000 Population for Highest Long-Term Debt Load

Recently - I ran into one individual who asked where does Williams Lake rank in the grand scheme of things, as far as long-term debt goes.  So, after doing some research, this is what I discovered:

Communities around 11,000 population and their long-term debt levels:

1) Resort Municipality of Whister - $40,394,713.00
2) District of Summerland - $28,538,327.00
3) City of Dawson Creek - $25,378,984.00
4) City of Williams Lake - $17,600,000.00
5) District of Lake Country- $11,645,000.00
6) City of Quesnel - $9,803,395.00
7) District of Sooke - $8,553,650.00
8) City of Terrace - $4,236,391.00
9) District of Coldstream - $4,089,985.81
10) City of Parksville - $3,717,311.00
11) Town of Sidney - $2,651,113.00

Now - given we are #4 of 11 for highest long-term debt for communities with 11,000 population and also given we are looking at a Indoor Turf Facility and what to do with the current Recreation Centre (both of these projects would be possibly borrowed under the CRD but Williams Lake taxpayers' would share in those costs ranging in the tens of millions if both did go ahead, in the future) and given the state of the local economy and the fact we need to start planning for a mill closure in the next 5-10 years - long term borrowing should come to a halt, save any borrowing necessary for an emergency.  We all need to look ourselves in the mirror and say to ourselves - Here is our wants and needs.  Wants are nice but there are things we absolutely must have.  Those "needs" would obviously include police/fire, garbage collection, water and sewer and finally basic recreation needs.  Beyond that - residents need to decide, and let their politicians know for the 2012 Budget Year (CRD, City of Williams Lake, City of Quesnel, Districts of 100 Mile House/Wells) what matters more - holding the line on taxes or reducing them or having it all - even at a greater cost to local taxpayers

SBF