Fall$ 08 Minutes Convention - UBCM | HomeMinutes...The presentation was followed by Jim Martin, CAO...

08 Fall

Minutes 112th Convention Vancouver September 21 - 25, 2015

2

2014 – 2015 UBCM EXECUTIVE

President Councillor Sav Dhaliwal Burnaby

First Vice President Chair Al Richmond Cariboo RD

Second Vice President Councillor Murry Krause Prince George

Third Vice President Vacant

Past President Director Rhona Martin Columbia Shuswap RD

Vancouver Rep. Councillor Kerry Jang Vancouver

Metro/GVRD Rep. Mayor Wayne Baldwin White Rock

Small Community Rep. Mayor Galina Durant Stewart

Electoral Area Rep. Chair Art Kaehn Fraser-Fort George RD

Vancouver Metro Area Councillor Rick Glumac Port Moody

Representatives Councillor Alison Morse Bowen Island

AKBLG Mayor Gerry Taft Invermere

AVICC Councillor Barbara Price Comox

LMLGA Councillor Chuck Puchmayr New Westminster

NCLGA Councillor Brian Frenkel Vanderhoof

SILGA Councillor Marg Spina Kamloops

Directors at Large Director Jim Abram Strathcona RD

Director Wendy Booth East Kootenay RD

Mayor Nils Jensen Oak Bay

Director Willow Macdonald Thompson-Nicola RD

Councillor Cheryl Shuman Dawson Creek

Councillor Arjun Singh Kamloops

3

General Index

Tuesday Forum Clinics ......................................................................................................................... 10

Electoral Area Directors Forum ............................................................................................................. 10

Small Talk Forum ................................................................................................................................ 10

Mid-Sized Communities Forum ............................................................................................................. 11

Large Urban Communities Forum ......................................................................................................... 12

Plenary Session: Reconciliation: From Truth to Action ............................................................................ 12

Provincial Policy Sessions .................................................................................................................... 13

Welcome Reception ............................................................................................................................. 13

Wednesday Clinics .............................................................................................................................. 13

Convention Opening Session ................................................................................................................ 13

Annual Meeting ................................................................................................................................... 14

Keynote Address, Dr. Roberta Bondar ................................................................................................... 15

Principal Policy Session – Resolutions .................................................................................................. 16

Address by Councillor Raymond Louie, FCM President ........................................................................... 35

Address by the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ... 36

Cabinet Panels .................................................................................................................................... 36

Thursday Clinics .................................................................................................................................. 37

Community Excellence Awards ............................................................................................................. 37

Address by John Horgan, MLA, Leader of the Official Opposition ............................................................ 38

Policy Session – Resolutions ................................................................................................................ 38

Address by Adam Olsen, Interim Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia ....................................... 53

Delegates Lunch ................................................................................................................................. 53

Concurrent Workshops ......................................................................................................................... 53

UBCM Annual Banquet ......................................................................................................................... 53

Policy Session – Resolutions ................................................................................................................ 54

Installation of President-Elect ............................................................................................................... 69

Address by the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia .................................................... 69

Convention Closing .............................................................................................................................. 69

4

Index of Appendices

Appendix Subject Page

A Address by Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, UBCM President .......................................................... 70

B Address by Councillor Raymond Louie, FCM President ......................................................... 74

C Address by the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................................ 78

D Address by the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia ................................. 84

E Report on Attendance at the 2015 Convention .................................................................... 91

F Resolutions Not Admitted for Debate .................................................................................. 92

G Pre-Conference Study Sessions and Study Tours ................................................................ 94

5

Index to Endorsed Resolutions

Resolution Title Page

A1 Allocation of New Building Canada Fund ............................................................................. 16

A2 Mental Health and Addiction Services and Resources .......................................................... 16

A3 Provincial Responsibility for Fire Services Act and Regulations ............................................ 17

A4 Resourcing Local Governments for Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances Emergency Planning Response ............................................................................................................ 17

A5 Environmental Bill of Rights ............................................................................................... 18

B1 Modernization of Local Government Act .............................................................................. 19

B2 Establishment of a Provincial Fund to Support Search and Rescue ....................................... 19

B3 British Columbia Fire Service Minimum Training Standards ................................................. 20

B4 Victims Services Funding ................................................................................................... 20

B5 Interface Wildfire Proofing ................................................................................................. 21

B6 Sustainable Dredging of Secondary Channels of the Lower Fraser River ............................... 34

B7 Emergency Management BC Flood Protection Program ........................................................ 21

B8 Local Government Elections – Internet Voting ..................................................................... 35

B9 Public Transportation in Rural Communities ........................................................................ 21

B10 Road Safety Review and Assessment ................................................................................. 21

B11 Upgrading of Critical Accident Zones on Highways .............................................................. 22

B12 Highway Speed Limits ....................................................................................................... 22

B13 Increasing Rail Transportation Safety ................................................................................. 22

B14 Tax Incentives – Affordable Housing ................................................................................... 23

B15 Conservation Tax Incentive Program ................................................................................... 23

B16 Provincial Sales Tax Revenue Rebates for Local Government ............................................... 24

B17 Road Rescue Responder Costs ........................................................................................... 24

B18 Electricity Costs of Recreational Facilities ........................................................................... 38

B19 Rail Crossing Maintenance Charges ................................................................................... 24

B20 Additional Use of Funds Collected in Lieu of Parkland Contributions ..................................... 24

B21 Broaden the Allowable Uses of Parkland Development Cost Charges .................................... 25

B22 Infrastructure Cost Sharing Formula ................................................................................... 25

B23 Collection of Unpaid Municipal Bylaw Fines Against Municipal Property Taxes ...................... 25

6

B24 Coastal Douglas-Fir and Associated Ecosystems Conservation Partnership Funding .............. 26

B25 Management of Ungulate Populations ................................................................................. 26

B26 BC Conservation Service Capacity ...................................................................................... 26

B27 Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program .................................................................. 27

B28 Independent BC Review of Trans Mountain Expansion Project .............................................. 27

B29 Expansion of Oil Tanker Traffic in Coastal BC Waters .......................................................... 27

B30 Oil Spill Preparedness ....................................................................................................... 27

B31 Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response ......................................................................... 28

B32 Watershed Protection ........................................................................................................ 28

B33 Ownership of Abandoned Transportation Corridors .............................................................. 28

B34 Ministry of Energy and Mines Permitting ............................................................................ 39

B35 Recreation Sites ................................................................................................................ 29

B36 Re-examine Log Export Policy ............................................................................................ 29

B37 Support for Forest Industry ................................................................................................ 29

B38 Forest Industry Assistance ................................................................................................. 30

B39 Tree Protection Bylaws in Identified Urban Expansion Areas ................................................ 30

B40 Rural Two Tier Hydro Rates ............................................................................................... 30

B41 Proposed Closure of Burrard Thermal Plant ........................................................................ 31

B42 Reinstate the Mandatory Long Form Census ....................................................................... 31

B43 ICBC and Windshield Repairs ............................................................................................. 32

B44 Poverty Reduction Strategy for British Columbia ................................................................. 32

B45 Shelter Allowances and Rent Subsidies .............................................................................. 32

B46 A BC Plan to End Homelessness ......................................................................................... 33

B47 A Housing Action Agenda for British Columbia .................................................................... 33

B48 Purpose Built Rental Housing ............................................................................................. 33

B49 Expiry of Federal Cooperative Housing Agreements ............................................................. 34

B50 Funding Formula for Public Education ................................................................................ 34

B51 Genetically Modified Organisms ......................................................................................... 34

B52 Re-Establish Provincial Government as Diking Authority ...................................................... 40

B53 Human Trafficking ............................................................................................................. 46

B54 Prolific Offenders .............................................................................................................. 40

B55 BC Transit Funding Freeze ................................................................................................. 40

7

B56 Rail Crossing Safety Regulations ........................................................................................ 41

B57 Sustaining Clean Water Sources ........................................................................................ 41

B58 Hydroelectric Dam Water Use Planning ............................................................................... 41

B59 Bio Solid Review Process ................................................................................................... 41

B60 Quagga and Zebra Mussels ................................................................................................ 42

B61 Health Impact Assessments ............................................................................................... 42

B62 Compliance Under the BC Recycling Regulation .................................................................. 47

B63 Crown Land and Public Meetings ....................................................................................... 42

B64 Reforestation of Productive Agricultural Land ...................................................................... 43

B65 Communications Regarding Drainage Maintenance ............................................................. 43

B66 Visitor Information Centre Funding ..................................................................................... 43

B67 Mountain Pine Beetle Impacted Communities ..................................................................... 44

B68 Health Care Provider Crisis ................................................................................................ 44

B69 Rural Out-patient Accommodation ...................................................................................... 45

B70 Funding for Nurse Practitioners’ Overhead and Operating Costs ........................................... 45

B71 Proposed Site C Hydroelectric Dam .................................................................................... 45

B72 Funding Program for Local Poverty Reduction Initiatives ...................................................... 45

B73 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for First Responders ................................... 47

B74 Funding for Road Maintenance ........................................................................................... 48

B75 Highway Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 48

B76 Routine Highway Maintenance Over Pipelines ..................................................................... 48

B77 Development of an Emergency Response Seismic Mitigation Fund ....................................... 49

B78 Disaster Relief .................................................................................................................. 49

B80 Rape Culture in Canada ..................................................................................................... 50

B81 BC Emergency Response Management System ................................................................... 51

B82 Increasing Corporate Income Tax Rates .............................................................................. 51

B85 Office of Auditor General for Local Government ................................................................... 52

B86 Land Title Fees ................................................................................................................. 55

B87 Funding Allocation to Small Communities ........................................................................... 56

B88 Change the Requirements for Public Notification ................................................................. 56

B89 Setting of Local Government Fees ...................................................................................... 56

B91 Candidates for Local Government Elections to Run in One Jurisdiction Only .......................... 57

8

B92 Withdrawal, Death or Incapacity of an Election Candidate .................................................... 57

B93 Recall of Local Government Elected Officials ...................................................................... 57

B94 Campaign Contribution Legislation ..................................................................................... 58

B96 Geographic Scope of Environmental Impact Assessments .................................................... 59

B97 Waiving Royalties for Gravel Extraction in Flood Hazard Areas ............................................. 59

B98 Medical Marijuana Dispensary Regulation ........................................................................... 59

B99 Removal of Lands from Agricultural Land Reserve ............................................................... 60

B102 Include Marijuana Derivatives and Review Access ............................................................... 61

B103 Fines for Failing to Stop for a School Bus ........................................................................... 62

B104 Increase Physiotherapy Academic Seats ............................................................................. 62

B105 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month ..................................................................................... 62

B106 Action on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations ...................................... 63

B107 National Orange Shirt Day .................................................................................................. 63

B108 Homelessness Partnering Strategy ..................................................................................... 64

B109 Housing First Funding ........................................................................................................ 64

B110 Registered Disability Savings Plan ...................................................................................... 64

B111 National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women .............................................. 65

B112 Warning Labels for all Fossil Based Liquid Fuels ................................................................. 65

B123 Canada Post ..................................................................................................................... 39

LR1 Assistance to Refugees ..................................................................................................... 54

LR2 Appurtenance Provisions in the Forest Act .......................................................................... 54

LR3 Federal Port Operations on Agricultural Land ...................................................................... 54

9

Index to Referred or Non-Endorsed Resolutions

Resolution Title Page

B79 WorkSafe BC Confined Space Regulations .......................................................................... 50

B83 Carbon Tax ....................................................................................................................... 51

B84 Business Class Exemption ................................................................................................. 51

B90 Change the Position Title of Electoral Area Director ............................................................. 57

B95 Aversive Conditioning of Urban Ungulates ........................................................................... 58

B100 Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles ....................................................................... 60

B101 Support for Prioritizing of Resolutions ................................................................................ 61

B113 Wildlife Allocation Policy .................................................................................................... 66

B114 National Pharmacare Program ........................................................................................... 66

B115 Accessible Birth Control .................................................................................................... 67

B116 Fire Insurance for Rural BC Homeowners ............................................................................ 67

B117 Assisted Living Support for Challenged Adults .................................................................... 67

B118 Annualized Earnings Exemption ......................................................................................... 68

B119 Home Renovation Tax Credits ............................................................................................ 68

B120 Divestment of Fossil Fuel Related Investments in the Municipal Pension Plan ....................... 68

B121 Downloaded Building Codes ............................................................................................... 68

B122 Payday Loan Regulations ................................................................................................... 69

10

Minutes Minutes of the One Hundred Twelfth Annual Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities held in Vancouver, BC on September 22, 23, 24 and 25, 2015

Tuesday Forum C l in ics

On Tuesday, September 22, 2015 the Electoral Area Directors, Small Talk, Mid-Sized Communities and Large Urban

Communities Forums were preceded by the following clinics at 7:30 a.m.:

• Biosolids in BC

• People, Money and Power: Involving the Community through Participatory Budgeting

• Sparking Action for FireSmart Communities

• Sustainable Service Delivery – Do You Understand Your Role?

• The Impact of Road Distractions in the Community

E lec tora l Area D i rec tors Forum

Chair Art Kaehn, Electoral Area Representative, called the session to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22,

2015. The Forum opened with a speech from Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport, and

Cultural Development. Following the speech, there was a panel on Connectivity in Rural Areas. The presenters on the

first panel were: Howard Randell, Executive Director from Network BC; Chris Allen, Director on the BC Broadband

Association and President of ABC Communications; and Chair Rob Gay, from the Regional District of East Kootenay

and Chair of the Kootenay Regional Broadband Committee. After the panel, delegates were invited to participate in an

open microphone session.

Following a short break, delegates heard from the second panel on Housing in Rural Areas. There were three

presenters on this panel: Kahir Lalji, Provincial Program Manager for the Better at Home program at the United Way;

Ann MacDonald, General Manager of Planning and Development Services from the Comox Valley Regional District;

and Stephanie Allen, Senior Project Office in Development and Asset Strategies at BC Housing.

The final panel addressed Disasters in Rural Areas. Ian Cunnings, Senior Regional Manager for Emergency

Management BC presented first. The presentation was followed by Jim Martin, CAO for the Fraser Fort George

Regional District, and Russell Dyson, CAO for the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District who provided an overview of

the role of an electoral area director in the event of a disaster in their area.

The session adjourned at 12:00 p.m. for a lunch sponsored by the Municipal Finance Authority of BC.

Smal l Ta lk Forum

Mayor Galina Durant, UBCM Small Community Representative, called the session to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday,

September 22, 2015. The Small Talk Forum opened with introductions and a welcome from Forum Facilitator Dan

Rogers. He introduced Chetwynd Councillor Ernest Pfanner, who described Chetwynd’s new Medical Clinic and

Wellness Centre. This presentation was followed by a delegate discussion on funding for “very small” communities

(via Sayward); resource revenue sharing (via Port McNeill); and funding for public transportation (via Silverton).

11

Ron Poole, CAO for the District of Mission and member of the Local Government Board of Examiners, provided

information on continuing education for local government staff. This was followed by the Forum’s second discussion

period, examining infrastructure requirements to comply with the Drinking Water Protection Act (via Sayward).

Following the break, Fort St. James Mayor Rob MacDougall and Kevin Crook, CAO, Fort St. James made a

presentation on their municipality’s “Seniors Helping Seniors” transportation service. Councillor Mandy Kilsby from

the District of Wells outlined a creative partnership that led to the establishment of a daycare centre in her

community. This was followed by the Forum’s third discussion period, where delegates discussed the promotion of

civic association (via Vanderhoof).

The final information piece came courtesy of Janine North, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT); and

Howard Randell, Executive Director of Network BC, Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services, who

provided an update on NDIT’s partnership with the Province to make broadband internet more accessible in British

Columbia.

Lastly, UBCM President Sav Dhaliwal introduced the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and

Cultural Development, who spoke to delegates.

The Forum adjourned at 12:00 p.m. for a lunch sponsored by Spectra Energy.

Mid-S ized Communi t ies Forum Councillor Barbara Price convened the session at 9:00 am on September 22, 2015.

The Forum on emergency management opened with a panel on wildfire management. Lyle Gawalko, Manager of Fire

Prevention with the BC Wildfire Services provided an overview of wildfire management in BC. Local government

experiences with mitigating the risk of, and managing, wildfires were shared by: Kevin Cormack, Chief

Administrative Officer, City of Nelson; Stuart Horn, Chief Administrative Officer, Regional District of Central Kootenay;

Chief George Playfair, Fire Chief, Resort Municipality of Whistler; Heather Beresford, Environmental Stewardship

Manager, Resort Municipality of Whistler; and Chief Dan Leighton, Fire Chief, District of Logan Lake.

UBCM President Sav Dhaliwal then introduced the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and

Cultural Development, who spoke to delegates.

In the second half of the forum, Valerie Cameron, Water Stewardship Manager, Ministry of Environment, presented

on provincial and local government drought management plans and efforts. Heather Lyle, Director, Integrated Public

Safety, Ministry of State for Emergency Preparedness, Ministry of Transportation, outlined the Province’s earthquake

preparedness plans.

The session adjourned at 12:00 p.m. for a lunch sponsored by the Municipal Finance Authority of BC.

12

Large Urban Communi t ies Forum

Councillor Kerry Jang, called the session to order at 9:00 am on Tuesday September 22, 2015.

The Forum opened with the first panel presentation entitled Partnering on Affordable Housing. Panellists for the

session included:

• Celine Mauboules, Senior Planner, Housing Policy & Projects, City of Vancouver

• Mukhtar Latif, Chief Housing Officer, City of Vancouver

• Abigail Bond, Director of Housing Policy and Projects, City of Vancouver

• Shayne Ramsay, CEO, BC Housing

• Rob Turnbull, President and CEO, Streetohome Foundation

• Amelia Ridgeway, Acting Associate Director, RainCity Housing Society

After Ms. Mauboules presentation about the tools used by the City of Vancouver, panellists highlighted how

partnerships are necessary to deliver supportive housing; followed by a question and answer session.

At 10:20 am, UBCM President Sav Dhaliwal introduced the Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community,

Sport, and Cultural Development, who spoke briefly to the delegates. The Minister then assisted President Dhaliwal

in the presentations to councillors and mayors who had earned their Level 1 and Level 2 certificates from the Local

Government Leadership Academy.

Following a break, the Forum reconvened at 10:45am with the second panel on Partnering on Mental Health.

Panellists for this session included:

• Corporal Taylor Quee, Police Mental Health Intervention Unit, Surrey RCMP

• Brian Jacobson, ACT Manager, Fraser Health

• Constable Sonja Blom, Prince George RCMP

• Michelle Lawrence, Northern Health, Car 60 Program

After presentations from Surrey and Prince George, a question and answer session followed with delegates.

The session adjourned at 12:00 p.m. for a lunch sponsored by TELUS.

Plenary Sess ion : Reconc i l ia t ion : F rom Tru th to Act ion

The Plenary Session was opened at 1:45 p.m. by Councillor Murry Krause, Chair of the First Nations Relations

Committee. After brief opening remarks, Councillor Krause introduced Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Dr.

Marie Wilson.

Dr. Wilson led a discussion on the origins and findings of the Commission, which was established by the Indian

Residential Schools Settlement in 2007. She described the voices and deep emotion of the people who shared their

stories with the TRC, which visited 77 communities, organized seven national days, held 240 days of hearings, and

received more than 7,000 statements. Dr. Wilson described the “connective tissue” that binds the devastating

impact of the residential school era to today’s poor social economic outcomes among indigenous peoples. She also

reminded the plenary that the challenge and opportunity for relationship building is huge in BC, with over 200 First

Nations.

13

Dr. Wilson also directed delegates to the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, and specifically those pertaining to local

governments. These include using the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework

in the development of policy, indigenous cultural competency training for public servants, and memorializing missing

and lost children through naming ceremonies and documents.

Following Dr. Wilson’s presentation, Councillor Krause moderated a brief question and answer period, prior to

delivering his concluding remarks. The plenary session adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Prov inc ia l Po l icy Sess ions

Four concurrent provincial policy sessions convened at 3:15 p.m. The sessions were:

• Auditor General for Local Government

• Hosting Sport and Cultural Events – Benefits to Communities

• Municipal and Regional District Tax Program Requirements

• Open for Business: Workshop and Awards

Welcome Recept ion

The Welcome Reception was held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Ballroom C/D, West Vancouver Convention Centre.

Wednesday C l in ics On Wednesday, September 23, 2015, the Convention commenced at 7:30 a.m. with the following clinics:

• Are Our Water Systems at Risk?

• Bylaw Enforcement Best Practices

• Politics, Accountability and the Future of Open Meetings

• Preparedness: Recent EMBC Initiatives

Convent ion Open ing Sess ion

Pipe Corporal Alex Chisamore from the J.P. Fell Pipe Band led the procession, which included President Dhaliwal and

members of the Executive, as well as Her Honour, the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British

Columbia; Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Councillor Andrea

Reimer from the City of Vancouver; Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, hereditary chief of the Gwa-wae-nuk First Nation and,

Teresa Rezansoff, President of the BC School Trustees Association. Singing of the national anthem was led by Mr.

Steve Maddock.

The President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, called the 112th Annual Convention to order at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday,

September 23, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Pres ident ’s Address

The President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, provided the Opening Address to delegates. The President’s Address is

annexed to these Minutes as Appendix A.

14

Annua l Meet ing

The First Vice-President, Chair Al Richmond, in the Chair opened the Annual Meeting.

Adopt ion o f Conference Ru les and Procedures

On regular motion, duly moved and seconded, the Conference Rules and Procedures as printed in the Annual Report

and Resolutions Book were adopted.

Adopt ion o f Minutes o f 2014 Convent ion

On regular motion, duly moved and seconded, the Minutes of the One Hundred and Eleventh Annual Convention of

the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, held in Whistler, British Columbia, on September 22–26, 2014 were

adopted as prepared and distributed.

Annua l Repor t

The President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, presented the Annual Report which, on regular motion, duly moved and

seconded, was adopted.

Adopt ion o f F inanc ia l S ta tements

First Vice President, Chair Al Richmond, presented the Audited Financial Statements of the Union of British Columbia

Municipalities for the year ending May 31, 2015. On regular motion, duly moved and seconded, the statements were

adopted. The Audited Financial Statements were circulated in the Annual Report. A copy of the budget for the year

commencing June 1, 2015, as approved by the Executive, was also circulated to the membership for their

information.

Appo in tment o f Aud i to rs

On regular motion, duly moved and seconded, that the Executive be empowered to appoint auditors for the year

commencing June 1, 2015, was adopted.

F i rs t Repor t o f the Nominat ing Commit tee fo r the Pos i t ions o f Tab le O f f i cers

Chair Rhona Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the first report with the nominations for Table

Officer positions:

President: Director Al Richmond, Cariboo Regional District

First Vice-President: Councillor Murry Krause, City of Prince George

Second Vice-President: Director Wendy Booth, Regional District of East Kootenay

Mayor Nancy Cooper, City of Salmon Arm

Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, City of New Westminster

Third Vice-President: Mayor Nils Jensen, District of Oak Bay

Councillor Arjun Singh, City of Kamloops

15

Appo in tment o f Commit tees

The First Vice-President, Chair Al Richmond, announced the appointment of the following Convention Committees

and officials:

N o m i n a t i n g C o m m i t t e e

Chair Rhona Martin, Immediate Past President, UBCM

Director Rob Gay, Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments

Councillor Barbara Price, Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities

Councillor Corisa Bell, Lower Mainland Local Government Association

Councillor Chad Eliason, Southern Interior Local Government Association

Councillor Brian Frenkel, North Central Local Government Association

C o n v e n t i o n C o m m i t t e e

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Chair

Councillor Kerry Jang, Vice Chair

Director Willow Macdonald

Councillor Cheryl Shuman

Councillor Arjun Singh

S c r u t i n e e r s

Elsie Lemke, CAO, District of Peachland, Chief Scrutineer

Leslie Groulx, CAO, District of Clearwater, Deputy Chief Scrutineer

David Allen, CAO, City of Courtenay

Patti Bridal, Corporate Administrator, City of Vernon

Doug Fleming, CAO, District of Chetwynd

Paul Gipps, CAO, Fraser Valley RD

Wendy Hunt, CAO, Village of New Hazelton

Tom Kadla, CAO, Village of Lumby

Fred Manson, CAO, City of Parksville

Ron Poole, CAO, District of Maple Ridge

Patrick Robins, CAO, District of Central Saanich

Melinda Stickney, CAO, City of Armstrong

P a r l i a m e n t a r i a n

Ian Izard, Q.C., Clay and Company

Former Law Clerk and Clerk Assistant, Legislative Assembly of BC

Keynote Address , Dr . Rober ta Bondar Councillor Sav Dhaliwal thanked ICBC for sponsoring the Keynote Speaker, and proceeded to introduce Dr. Roberta

Bondar. Following Dr. Bondar’s address, a brief question and answer session ensued. Following the presentation,

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal thanked Dr. Bondar.

16

Pr inc ipa l Po l icy Sess ion – Reso lu t ions

The first Resolutions session began at 10:30 a.m. with Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, Chair of the UBCM Resolutions

Committee, in the Chair.

Councillor Puchmayr was joined by the other members of the Resolutions Committee: Chair Art Kaehn, Chair Jim

Abram, Director Wendy Booth and Mayor Nils Jensen. They were assisted by Parliamentarian Ian Izard, UBCM

Executive Director Gary MacIsaac and other UBCM staff.

Rules for dealing with resolutions adopted during the Annual Meeting were reviewed by the Chair. The Convention

then commenced consideration of Section A resolutions.

Sect ion A

A1 Allocation of New Building Canada Fund North Cowichan

Whereas local governments collect only 8% of total tax revenue in Canada but are responsible for 60% of the

infrastructure demands which contribute to the upward spiralling of property taxes;

And whereas the Government of Canada, through the Building Canada Fund, allocates monies to the provinces that

are meant to address the increasing infrastructure deficit and demands, but the Province of BC transfers only 40% of

these monies to local government:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to allocate 60% of the Building Canada Fund directly to local

government.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the enactment clause by inserting the phrase “a minimum of” after

the word “allocate”, was endorsed.

The resolution, as amended, then read:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to allocate a minimum of 60% of the Building Canada Fund

directly to local government.

On motion, as amended, was Endorsed

A2 Mental Health and Addiction Services and Resources Delta

Whereas local governments have been raising concerns in recent years regarding the increasing demands being

placed upon police resources and hospital emergency services by people with mental health and addiction issues;

And whereas people with mental health and addiction issues deserve proper and timely psychiatric and medical care;

And whereas some municipalities have made repeated requests to the Provincial government to provide adequate

resources to deal with people with mental health and addiction issues without seeing any improvements to services

or resources:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be called upon to develop a long-term, multi-faceted strategy

to help people suffering from mental health and addiction issues including integrated health and psychiatric care,

criminal justice reform, and access to affordable housing, as a matter of priority within the BC health care system.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the enactment clause as proposed by adding a second enactment

clause, was endorsed.

17


Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be called upon to develop a long-term, multi-faceted strategy

to help people suffering from mental health and addiction issues including integrated health and psychiatric care,

criminal justice reform, and access to affordable housing, as a matter of priority within the BC health care system;

And be it further resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to ensure that the level of resourcing and

facilities for providing mental health and addiction services are increased throughout the province to allow for

improved access and treatment for those suffering from mental health issues, including addictions.

On motion, with amendment as recommended, was Endorsed

A3 Provincial Responsibility for Fire Services Act Squamish-Lillooet RD

and Regulations

Whereas the provincial government has enacted various building and fire code regulations for public buildings,

including the Fire Services Act and regulations under that Act;

And whereas the provincial government is considering requiring regional districts to enforce the Fire Services Act

and its regulations in the unincorporated areas of the province, including the obligation to provide for a regular

system of inspection of hotels and public buildings;

And whereas regional districts do not have the capacity to take on an inspection and enforcement role in the rural

areas without significant additional financial and human resources:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government provide the resources necessary to inspect and enforce

provincial safety regulations, including the Fire Services Act and its regulations, through either the Office of the Fire

Commissioner or the BC Safety Authority rather than pursuing options to download the responsibility for inspections

and enforcement of provincial regulations on local governments.

On motion, was Endorsed

A4 Resourcing Local Governments for Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Vancouver

Substances Emergency Planning Response

Whereas oil and hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) are being transported through or near communities in

British Columbia, and proposals to increase the volume of these substances are currently being considered without

adequate consideration for the risks to local communities;

And whereas the increased transport of these products translates to an increased risk to local communities from

incidents such as fires, explosions and spills, with the potential to cause significant impacts to health and safety of

citizens, first responders and the environment, and require the involvement of local governments to minimize the

consequences to their communities;

And whereas despite their vital role in safeguarding their communities and identifying the local risks and

consequences of potential incidents, local governments have not been adequately involved in risk assessment and

response planning carried out by industry, project proponents and other tiers of government, and are not sufficiently

resourced to participate in the risk assessment and planning process, let alone respond to the impacts of oil and

HNS incidents on their communities:

18

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial and federal governments to expand the scope of oil and

hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) risk assessment and response planning to include all impacts and

consequences on local communities and governments, and introduce additional funding for the resources and

locally-specific capacity building required to ensure that local governments are in the best possible position to plan

for and protect communities and the environment in the event of fires, explosions, spills and related incidents as a

result of increasing transportation of oil and HNS.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the enactment clause as proposed by adding a second enactment

clause, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial and federal governments to expand the scope of oil and

hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) risk assessment and response planning to include all impacts and

consequences on local communities and governments, and introduce additional funding for the resources and

locally-specific capacity building required to ensure that local governments are in the best possible position to plan

for and protect communities and the environment in the event of fires, explosions, spills and related incidents as a

result of increasing transportation of oil and HNS;

And be it further resolved that UBCM and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities call upon the federal government

to develop a comprehensive emergency response plan and procedure for hazardous and noxious substance spill

related emergencies that includes due recognition of and compensation for the role of local government emergency

response services.


A5 Environmental Bill of Rights Richmond

Whereas municipalities and regional districts are the government nearest to people and the natural environment, and

therefore share a deep concern for the welfare of the natural environment and understand that a healthy

environment is inextricably linked to the health of individuals, families, future generations and communities;

And whereas fostering the environmental well being of the community is a municipal purpose under section 7(d) of

the Community Charter and regional district purpose under section 2(d) of the Local Government Act:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia enact a provincial environmental bill

of rights that:

a) recognizes the right of every resident to live in a healthy environment, including the right to clean air, clean

water, clean food and vibrant ecosystems;

b) provides for public participation in decision-making respecting the environment and access to

environmental information;

c) provides access to justice when environmental rights are infringed; and

d) has whistle-blower protection.


19

Sect ion B1

Chair Art Kaehn assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of Section B – Part 1 resolutions.

Chair Kaehn reviewed the procedures for handling Section B resolutions.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that all Section B resolutions be admitted for debate, was endorsed.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for the resolutions in

Section B – Part 1 be considered as a block, was endorsed.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that resolution B8 be removed from the Section B – Part 1 block for individual

consideration, was endorsed.


consideration, was not endorsed.





A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for the resolutions in

the Section B – Part 1 block as amended be adopted, was endorsed.

The resolutions remaining in the Section B – Part 1 block were endorsed as follows:

B1 Modernization of Local Government Act Cowichan Valley RD

Whereas enactment of the Community Charter in 2003 has created an imbalance of powers and authorities between

municipalities and the regional districts in which they participate;

And whereas many of the regional district powers and authorities provided by the Local Government Act do not

adequately address the current realities and complexities of regional governance in BC:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM strongly encourage the Province to act upon its commitment to modernize and

harmonize the legislation governing regional districts.


B2 Establishment of a Provincial Fund to Support Alberni-Clayoquot RD

Search and Rescue

Whereas capital and non-operational funding for search and rescue (SAR) in BC is not consistent, equitable, or

rationally allocated and SAR organizations bear the large administrative burden of applying to myriad sources,

including local governments, on an annual basis;

And whereas a 2012 Coroner’s Inquest jury recommended that Emergency Management BC (EMBC) review and

evaluate funding models to better support SAR operations, and in 2013 the BC Search and Rescue Association

recommended a new funding model to EMBC that would provide adequate, predictable and sustainable funding

through the establishment and management of a provincial fund:

20

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to support the BC Search and Rescue Association’s proposal

for the development of a provincial SAR fund, and that the Province undertake necessary consultation with local

governments and other stakeholders to develop, establish, and implement the fund as soon as possible.


B3 British Columbia Fire Service Minimum Training Standards Bulkley-Nechako RD

Whereas the Office of the Fire Commissioner issued the ‘British Columbia Fire Service Minimum Training Standards –

Structure Firefighters Competency and Training Playbook’ which establishes the “minimum standards of training

required for fire services personnel in British Columbia” in September 2014 applicable to any fire service/department

in British Columbia that provides fire services and includes municipal fire departments, volunteer fire departments,

and fire departments established as a society under the Society Act of BC.”

And whereas the ‘British Columbia Fire Service Minimum Training Standards – Structure Firefighters Competency

and Training Playbook’ states the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” describes local or regional government and further

states that each local government must select and declare its firefighting Service Level in order for the local

government to determine which set of minimum standards are to be met.”

And whereas it is the responsibility of each local government to immediately take steps to ensure implementation of

the training requirements associated to the Service Level selected;

And whereas the financial cost to local government to implement the new ‘British Columbia Fire Service Minimum

Training Standards – Structure Firefighters Competency and Training Playbook’ Regulations are extremely prohibitive

for rural communities and small volunteer fire departments, and may result in the closure of these departments:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province provide funding for rural communities and small volunteer fire departments

to cover the additional costs as a result of the ‘British Columbia Fire Service Minimum Training Standards –

Structure Firefighters Competency and Training Playbook’ Regulations.


B4 Victims Services Funding Kootenay Boundary RD

Whereas the matter of costs to local governments for providing police-based victim services continues to escalate

due to the increased demand for the service;

And whereas the authority for providing victim services for victim’s issues, development of legislation, policies and

programs, and for providing training and delivering and funding programs that support victims and their families is

the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice Victim Services and Crime Prevention:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province of BC, through the Ministry of Justice Victim Services and

Crime Prevention, to increase the Ministry’s funding contribution for the provision of victim services with the

Province of British Columbia.


21

B5 Interface Wildfire Proofing West Kelowna

Whereas the Province of British Columbia continues to experience large, aggressive wildfires and in 2014

experienced the third highest fire season (in hectares of land) in the Province’s history, costing an estimated $300

million in response;

And whereas despite the continuing fire threat, in 2014, the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative – Community

Wildfire Protection Plan Program restricted the funding program stream to the development or update of a

Community Wildfire Protection Plan and will no longer fund operational fuel treatment activities:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations to establish,

fund and conduct a province-wide wildfire proofing program on public and private interface lands to protect British

Columbia’s residents and infrastructure.


B7 Emergency Management BC Flood Protection Program Stewart

Whereas the majority of communities within the Province of British Columbia are situated in proximity to rivers,

streams and water bodies, many within floodplains and upon estuaries;

And whereas gravel aggregation is well documented;

And whereas there have been no funds available to these communities, since 2013, to maintain flood prevention

measures, the consequences of which could result in increasing risk of future flooding causing significant property

damage:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government reestablish the Flood Protection Program.


B9 Public Transportation in Rural Communities Vanderhoof

Whereas many rural, resource-based communities do not have public transit or taxi service;

And whereas the absence of local and intercommunity public transportation causes significant disadvantage to rural

residents:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia provide adequate funding to support local and

intercommunity transportation in rural communities.


B10 Road Safety Review and Assessment Squamish-Lillooet RD

Whereas the British Columbia Road Safety Strategy 2015 and Beyond (2013) states a provincial goal to make roads

in BC the safest in North America by “designing a system that is more forgiving of human error … “so that, even if

crashes occur, they will not cause fatal or serious injury”;

And whereas the roads in the Lillooet area were constructed well before the development of modern engineering and

safety standards that have been proven to reduce injury and death in the event of a collision and have many sections

with steep embankments – unprotected by barrier – as well as extremely narrow unpaved shoulders;

22

And whereas the British Columbia Road Safety Strategy 2015 and Beyond (2013) identifies the Southern Interior as

“by far the most deadly region of the province with about one-third of all motor vehicle related fatalities” and

statistics indicate the Lillooet area has a fatality rate of 19% - more than 6 times the average for our region:

Therefore be it resolved, in keeping with our provincial government’s identified priority to improve road safety and

reduce fatalities and injury, we continue to ask for a thorough review and assessment of roadside safety (including

road design and evaluation of roadside hazards) to reduce deaths and injury on BC roads.


B11 Upgrading of Critical Accident Zones on Highways Columbia Shuswap RD

Whereas many section of highways throughout British Columbia are considered critical accident zones;

And whereas these critical accident zones have serious impacts on the health and safety of the travelling public,

enormous economic impacts to the Province, and a significant financial burden on our health care system:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial and federal governments make a long term commitment to increase the

level of safety on our highway system by improving proven accident zones as well as highway upgrading to a four (4)

lane highway, wherever possible and warranted.


B12 Highway Speed Limits Central Okanagan RD

Whereas the safety of rural highways in British Columbia is being questioned by many residents living in rural BC

since the ministry of Transportation and infrastructure increased the speed limit on many of these highways to 100

km/hr in 2014;

And whereas speed limits in rural British Columbia do vary from region to region:

Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure be requested to formalize a process to

allow for the lowering of the speed limit on certain highways that pass through rural communities and

neighbourhoods upon receipt of a Regional Board resolution to that effect.


B13 Increasing Rail Transportation Safety NCLGA Executive

Whereas dangerous and hazardous goods are transported by rail through communities daily;

And whereas current legislation’s historical reporting does not allow first responders to develop accurate,

premeditated emergency plans;

And whereas derailments and container corruptions continue to happen across Canada (Lac-Mégantic, Quebec;

Gogoma, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia) as newer, safer crude oil tanker design will not be fully

integrated until 2025:

23

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM request the federal government to create a comprehensive national

strategy for the rail transportation of dangerous and hazardous goods by 2020, including the following:

1. Mutual cooperation and input from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Federation of Canadian

Municipalities’ National Municipal Rail Safety Working Group, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, as

well as the federal government (specifically, the Ministries of Transport, Industry, Environment, and Health)

and all Class 1 Rail Companies (Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Via Rail Canada);

2. A security-focused, prevention-based reporting structure to allow first responders and key municipal

officials information about dangerous and hazardous goods before they pass through their community;

3. Additional funding for first responders in small, rural communities (under 10,000) to access training in order

to effectively deal with dangerous and hazardous goods spills and container breaches; and

4. A strategy to allow for local governments to induce timely inquiries into infrastructure safety after rail

derailments or similar failures.


B14 Tax Incentives – Affordable Housing Vernon

Whereas the lack of rental housing tax incentives has caused a reduction of investment in rental units, resulting in a

decline in the amount of available rental inventory in most cities and towns across the country;

And whereas many municipalities attempt to address this shortage but are unable to provide the tax incentive

required to motivate the private sector to invest in the rental marketplace;

And whereas the capital cost allowance that was allowed by Canada Revenue Agency on rental units could be

applied to reduce an individual’s total taxable income, thereby acting as an incentive towards this type of investment

which was recouped upon sale of that asset to another party;

And whereas the lack of affordable housing and the incidence of homelessness is a growing and complex problem

affecting all British Columbians and Canadian communities:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the federal government, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

and other avenues as appropriate, to re-examine the long term benefits of providing a capital cost allowance to

investors in rental projects that can be used where those business losses can be used against other income,

including employment income.


B15 Conservation Tax Incentive Program Comox Valley RD

Whereas the Islands Trust has successfully implemented a Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP)

which provides 65% property tax relief for landowners who enter into a conservation covenant to protect important

natural features on their property;

And whereas the NAPTEP complements provincial and local programs and policies and does not result in any loss of

tax revenue nor any significant additional costs;

24

And whereas regional districts and municipalities may wish to support and encourage landowners to preserve natural

areas for current and future environmental benefits:

Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development be requested to grant local

governments the authority to implement a conservation tax incentive program modeled on the Natural Area

Protection Tax Exemption Program.


B16 Provincial Sales Tax Revenue Rebates for Local Government Lake Cowichan

Whereas local governments depend almost wholly on property taxation to fund municipal services and are currently

facing infrastructure deficits of enormous proportions;

And whereas local governments and their taxpayers are unnecessarily burdened with sales tax charges on the

purchase of all goods and services that include emergency equipment:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province be petitioned to provide local governments full rebates of sales taxes on all

purchases made, as are provided by the federal government for the goods and services taxes (GST) paid by local

governments, with no commensurate reduction of current revenue sharing programs.


B17 Road Rescue Responder Costs Barriere

Whereas road rescue responders are not compensated by Emergency Management BC for responses to highway

accidents within their jurisdiction;

And whereas road rescue organizations receive no provincial funding toward general operations;

And whereas ICBC does not currently contribute funding towards any vehicle accident response costs whatsoever:

Therefore be it resolved that local governments request the provincial government to reconsider their stance on

financing road rescue responders throughout the province.


B19 Rail Crossing Maintenance Charges Barriere

Whereas rail lines in Canada provide a service almost exclusively to large corporate entities;

And whereas the costs of maintaining safe crossings for the general public throughout Canada should be the

responsibility of the corporate land owner as trains have increased in frequency and speeds since they originally

divided the lands they cross:

Therefore be it resolved that local governments across Canada band together as a unified voice, by forwarding this

resolution to FCM, to lobby for discontinuance of the monthly charges for rail crossing maintenance throughout

Canada.


B20 Additional Use of Funds Collected in Lieu of Parkland Contributions Mission

Whereas the Local Government Act under section 941(4) allows local governments to collect from an owner of land

being subdivided monies in lieu of the provision of parkland, which is not to exceed 5% of the land value being

proposed for subdivision;

25

And whereas the funds taken for this purpose can only be utilized for the purchase of actual parkland and not for the

improvement of parkland;

And whereas monies collected in lieu of the provision of parkland are often better spent on parkland improvements

such as landscaping, playground structures, etc., for new and/or existing parks:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government through legislation allow local governments to utilize funds

collected in lieu of parkland on subdivision approvals for parkland improvements not just for the purchase of

parkland.


B21 Broaden the Allowable Uses of Parkland Development Cost Charges Delta

Whereas the BC government has determined that Parkland Development Cost Charges (“DCCs”) cannot be used to

fund sport-related park infrastructure such as synthetic turf fields, swimming pools and arenas;

And whereas municipalities can use Parkland DCCs to provide fencing, landscaping, drainage and irrigation, trails,

rest-rooms, changing rooms and playground and playing field equipment;

And whereas there is tangible evidence that new development directly impacts the demand for sport-related park

infrastructure through increased attendance at municipal recreation facilities and increased demand for playing time

on municipal sports fields:

Therefore be it resolved that the BC government be requested to approve an amendment to Section 935(3)(b)(ii) of

the Local Government Act to include sport-related park infrastructure as an applicable Parkland DCC capital cost.


B22 Infrastructure Cost Sharing Formula Langley City

Whereas local governments have historically acknowledged the economic value of transportation infrastructure

projects of national and regional importance and participated in cost sharing initiatives with other orders of

government (provincial and federal) through a one-third/one-third/one-third formula relationship;

And whereas the assignment of one-third local cost absorption has greater per capita impact to residents of local

regions with smaller populations;

Therefore be it resolved that the federal and provincial governments be requested to assess the per capita impact of

nationally and regionally valued transportation infrastructure and to revise the current one-third/one-third/one-third

formula to reflect the inequities for smaller communities with identified essential projects within their boundaries.


B23 Collection of Unpaid Municipal Bylaw Fines Against Mission

Municipal Property Taxes

Whereas the Community Charter under section 258(1) presently allows municipalities to recover special fees as

property taxes when the fees are related to “work done or services provided to land or improvements” or when the

fees are related to “fire and security alarm systems”;

And whereas there are significant costs associated with collecting outstanding municipal fines, such as those related

to noise, parking and nuisance infractions, and in many cases the collection of these unpaid fines through either a

collection agency or small claims court proves unsuccessful in part due to an overloaded court system:

26

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government allow municipalities through legislation to collect unpaid

municipal bylaw fines through property taxes where the fines are property related.


B24 Coastal Douglas-Fir and Associated Ecosystems Conservation Islands Trust

Partnership Funding

Whereas the UBCM members previously endorsed resolution 2013-B104 requesting that the Ministry of Forests,

Lands and Natural Resource Operations adequately resource the Coastal Douglas-fir and Associated Ecosystems

Conservation Partnership (the Partnership);

And whereas in 2015 the Partnership will issue a 30-year conservation strategy for the coastal douglas-fir

biogeoclimatic zone, the most at risk zone in British Columbia, but has insufficient resources to implement the

strategy:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to provide core, multi- year funding to the

Partnership to assist its members to implement the conservation strategy with the Province, First Nations, local

governments, the federal government, stakeholders, and the general public.


B25 Management of Ungulate Populations Oak Bay

Whereas the resources, authority and responsibility to manage ungulate populations is with the Province of British

Columbia;

And whereas the combination of favourable habitats, no natural predators, and the inability to allow hunting have

contributed to expanding urban deer populations and exacerbated the problem of human- deer conflict in urban

areas:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia provide resources, including conservation officers and

urban wildlife biologists, and build the necessary partnerships with Health Canada and local governments to address

deer over population.


B26 BC Conservation Service Capacity Princeton

Whereas the provincial government is responsible for managing wildlife through its Conservation Service, and the

British Columbia Conservation Service has not been able to adequately address wildlife-human conflict in the town of

Princeton due to lack of facility;

And whereas the Town of Princeton is unable to appropriately respond to wildlife-human conflict, as their role is to

educate residents on how to deter wildlife and limit wildlife attractants:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to provide adequate funding and staffing in

order for the BC Conservation Service to be more active and proactive in effectively managing wildlife-human

conflicts.


27

B27 Residential Renewable Energy Rebate Program Hudson’s Hope

Whereas demand for electricity is expected to increase in the future;

And whereas renewable technologies such as small scale wind and solar are becoming increasingly feasible:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on BC Hydro and the Province of BC to work together to develop a framework

that would provide incentives to residential customers to install grid-interactive renewable generation systems.


B28 Independent BC Review of Trans Mountain Expansion Project Vancouver

Whereas the current National Energy Board (NEB) assessment of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project has proven to

be deeply flawed and undemocratic;

And whereas the Union of BC Municipalities endorsed the City of Victoria’s emergency resolution LR2 in September

2014 calling on the Environmental Assessment Office of the Province of British Columbia to undertake its own

environmental assessment process of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and withdraw from the 2010

Equivalency Agreement with the NEB, but no response has been received to date from the Province;

Therefore be it resolved that in response to 2014 UBCM resolution LR2, the Province of British Columbia withdraw

from the 2010 Equivalency Agreement with the National Energy Board and undertake its own environmental

assessment process of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, with meaningful participation by First Nations, local

governments and all interested British Columbians.


B29 Expansion of Oil Tanker Traffic in Coastal BC Waters Sooke

Whereas the result of the District of Sooke assent voting opportunity (community opinion) on November 15, 2014

was in the affirmative that the District of Sooke should join other municipalities in renewing and restating its

opposition to the expansion of oil tanker traffic through British Columbia’s coastal waters:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities continue to petition the provincial

and federal governments to stop the expansion of oil tanker traffic through British Columbia's coastal waters.


B30 Oil Spill Preparedness Sechelt District

Whereas the oil spill event of April 8, 2015, into English Bay and the Salish Sea, demonstrated a clear lack of

capacity to respond to oil spill events in British Columbia;

And whereas the long-term viability and economies of BC coastal communities are dependent, in part, upon the

protection and preservation of the local marine environment:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia order an independent audit of the

current state of oil spill preparedness in BC.


28

B31 Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response Port Moody

Whereas an oil spill can harm wildlife and have a significant impact on the health and economy of our communities

and the natural environment;

And whereas existing legislative and administrative frameworks do not provide for wildlife response preparedness or

remediation, nor require professional wildlife response in the event of oil spills on land or in the marine environment;

And whereas there are no designated oiled wildlife response services or facilities in BC;

And whereas UBCM has already put forth resolutions on the need for improved spill response systems, including

related to wildlife rescue, and funding mechanisms, but requested action has not been taken:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC urge the federal government to establish adequate oiled wildlife

response capacity and capability for marine spills;

And be it further resolved that the federal government and the Province of BC, in consultation with local

governments, enact a mandated and coordinated regime that requires that wildlife response be included in oil spill

response preparedness, that wildlife response and recovery, and remediation be part of standard response activities

for marine and land-based oil spills and that funds to undertake these activities be collected from industry in

accordance with the polluter pay principle.


B32 Watershed Protection Peachland

Whereas it has long been recognized that water is a public trust, and the protection and control of local water

resources requires adequate tools to enable local authorities to enact measures for protection of watersheds;

And whereas the modernization of the Water Act has not yet progressed to a point where regulations are in place to

enable local authorities to enact such measures necessary in order to adequately protect their watersheds;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Environment proceed with the necessary steps to

create regulations that will establish an increased local role in key decision making in matters affecting the health

and protection of watersheds, including the right for local watershed authorities to be the agencies responsible for

approvals and controls of activities in watersheds.


B33 Ownership of Abandoned Transportation Corridors North Okanagan RD

Whereas transportation corridors are vital to the transportation of goods and people throughout the province;

And whereas some corridors are being abandoned, especially some rail corridors;

And whereas these abandoned transportation corridors can become vital and valuable corridors for recreational uses

such as hiking, cycling, skiing and snowshoeing;

And whereas these corridors should be open to all residents of BC:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government facilitate public acquisition and ownership of abandoned

transportation corridors;

29

And be it further resolved that the Province work with UBCM to develop a funding mechanism – for example, a

province-wide parcel tax similar to the Municipal Finance Authority tax – to assist governments or community groups

to purchase and maintain abandoned transportation corridors for public recreational use.


B35 Recreation Sites Burns Lake

Whereas provincial recreation sites are frequently over capacity during summer months, and have fallen into

disrepair;

And whereas sites are maintained by volunteer groups which are drastically underfunded:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to provide funding for the improvement

and maintenance of all provincial recreation sites within British Columbia.


B36 Re-examine Log Export Policy Alberni-Clayoquot RD

Whereas coastal log exports increased 65% by volume from 2010 levels to 6,348,674 m3 in 2013 and the coast

represents 90.6% of total log export volume in the province of BC;

And whereas the coastal forest industry has grown dependent upon log exports with unintended consequences to the

manufacturing sector:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government re-examine the Log Export Policy and the

impact this policy has on the coastal forest industry, and that the provincial government investigate options for

modifying the Log Export Policy in light of the increased coastal log exports over the last several years.


B37 Support for Forest Industry Cariboo RD

Williams Lake

Quesnel

100 Mile House

Wells

Whereas the forest industry continues to be an economic mainstay of the province, providing stable employment for

tens of thousands of families, and contributing $12.4 billion to provincial GDP and $2.5 billion in taxes and fees to

the three levels of government;

And whereas the competitive advantage of the British Columbia forest industry has been eroded by cumulative

impacts including timber supply declines, uncertainty on the land base, and delays in provincial market pricing

processes;

And whereas these cumulative impacts threaten the economic well-being of communities throughout British

Columbia:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Province to deliver the full allowable cut under the BC Timber Sales

program, complete a science-based inventory of the available timber supply, and move assertively to increase

operating certainty on the working forest land base.


30

B38 Forest Industry Assistance Cariboo RD

Whereas the forest industry has long been the backbone of the Cariboo/Chilcotin economy and a significant

contributor to provincial revenues;

And whereas the effects of the mountain pine beetle, exacerbated by climate change, have resulted in significant

reductions in the available fibre supply leading to reductions in the Annual Allowable Cut available for harvesting of

up to 60%;

And whereas remote stands of dead pine that cannot be economically harvested with the normal silviculture

requirements means they will be left standing dead for decades to come rather than return to healthy, productive

forest land;

And whereas dead stands returned to healthy, live forests improve air quality by removing carbon emissions, thereby

improving our overall environment;

And whereas implementing the type 4 silviculture plan with adequate funding to ensure that those stands that are

uneconomical for industry to harvest and replant are brought back into productive capacity as quickly as possible,

through increased funding of the Land Base Investment Funding and the Forests for Tomorrow funding are

imperative to the region’s continued ability to prosper and support provincial initiatives by keeping secure, well-

paying jobs that contribute to the local and provincial economies, and that allow healthy families to remain in rural

communities to support community amenities such as parks, libraries and schools:

Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call on the provincial government to support the Type 4 silviculture strategies and provide the funding to support those strategies (including planting, spacing, pre-commercial thinning, fertilization, rehabilitation of dead pine stands uneconomical to harvest) by increasing the funding allotment for Land Base Investment and Forests for Tomorrow specifically for those areas impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.


B39 Tree Protection Bylaws in Identified Urban Expansion Areas Courtenay

Whereas regional districts are prohibited by law from creating tree protection bylaws;

And whereas unincorporated areas of regional districts include working forests, which are regulated provincially both

on public and private land, precluding local or regional regulation:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to permit regional districts to institute tree protection bylaws

in identified urban expansion areas.


B40 Rural Two Tier Hydro Rates Mount Waddington RD

Port Hardy

Whereas BC Hydro has adopted a two tiered rate structure to encourage energy consideration with the lower rate

threshold based on approximately 90% of the provincial median household consumption of electricity and this

average is weighted from the consumption patterns of two-thirds of BC households that are able to use natural gas

for their heating, hot water and cooking energy requirements;

31

And whereas the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) reduced the upper price threshold charged by BC Hydro from the

requested 1600 kilowatt hours to 1350 kilowatt hours for the bi-monthly billing period and most households in rural

and remote communities do not have access to natural gas and cannot reduce their consumption by conservation

measures sufficiently to avoid the higher tiered rate:

Therefore be it resolved that the BC Utilities Commission review the BC Hydro residential electrical tariff structure

and increase the amount of kilowatt hours that qualify for the lower rate in all areas that do not have natural gas

service.


B41 Proposed Closure of Burrard Thermal Plant Port Moody

Whereas the City of Port Moody has been informed by the Government of British Columbia that the 900 MW

(megawatt) natural gas-fired Burrard Thermal Generating Station in Port Moody is scheduled for closure in 2016, a

plant which can provide an essential service by generating electricity to meet peak electrical loads in British

Columbia during the winter months, is located in the lower mainland (the load centre of British Columbia) as an

important strategic asset and can provide backup electricity in the event of low water levels behind BC Hydro dams

or the failure of lengthy transmission lines due to forest fires, ice storms or similar causes;

And whereas the annual operating cost of Burrard Thermal, which has the lowest nitrogen oxides emissions of any

natural gas standby plant in Canada, is approximately $20 million, as opposed to the $55 million presently being

paid by BC Hydro to keep a smaller 275 MW natural gas-fired plant on standby in the outlying community of

Campbell River;

And whereas BC Hydro’s Integrated Resource Plan (2013) indicates a possible shortage of capacity (even in the

absence of new electricity-supported Liquefied Natural Gas) as early as 2018, a shortage which is proposed to be

met by constructing new natural gas plants:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Government of BC and BC Hydro to keep the Burrard Thermal

Generating Station open until at the very least a review by the British Columbia Utilities Commission is conducted on

the closing of Burrard Thermal and the construction of Site C Dam, with the end goal being that this facility be

powered by a renewable energy source.


B42 Reinstate the Mandatory Long Form Census Burnaby

Whereas the elimination of the mandatory long form census has negatively affected the quality of statistical data

available;

And whereas local governments are particularly affected by this change given that the data is increasingly unreliable

at the local and neighbourhood level:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the federal government, through the Federation of Canadian

Municipalities, to reinstate the mandatory long form census for the 2016 national census.


32

B43 ICBC and Windshield Repairs Quesnel

Whereas the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has, for some time, discontinued providing financial

assistance to BC drivers for windshield rock chip repairs;

And whereas road and highway maintenance contractors in the North Central and Interior areas of British Columbia

regularly apply coarse winter road aggregate instead of finer and less destructive sand, causing damage to

windshields, including cracks and rock chips;

And whereas unrepaired windshield rock chips quickly develop into cracked windshields that impair the visibility of

drivers and thereby threaten the safety of themselves, other motorists and their passengers;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of British Columbia to direct the Insurance Corporation of

British Columbia to resume providing financial assistance for drivers in need of windshield rock chip repairs.


B44 Poverty Reduction Strategy for British Columbia Terrace

Whereas British Columbia has one of the highest rates of poverty in Canada;

And whereas the price of poverty is borne by all British Columbians through higher justice system costs, greater

demands on the health care system, increased pressures on community services and reduced economic productivity;

And whereas British Columbia is the only province in Canada without a poverty reduction strategy:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government to develop and implement a poverty

reduction strategy to reduce the number of people living in poverty in BC by setting concrete targets and timelines to

reduce poverty.


B45 Shelter Allowances and Rent Subsidies Fraser Valley RD

Whereas the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and UBCM recognize that homelessness is a national concern

requiring long-term solutions;

And whereas the 2014 Fraser Valley Regional District Homelessness Survey Report recognizes that homelessness in

general is directly related to unaffordable rental rates, the erosion of the social safety net, and insufficient social

housing inventory;

And whereas the Fall 2014 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation British Columbia Rental Report identifies the

average rent for a one bedroom apartment in British Columbia as $953 while at the same time the provincial shelter

assistance rate for an employable one parent family is $375 and has not increased since 2007;

And whereas there is an increased risk of homelessness for households spending over 50% of their income on

housing costs:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to increase income assistance shelter allowances

and expand and lengthen rent subsidies as part of homelessness outreach and support funding from BC Housing.


33

B46 A BC Plan to End Homelessness Langley City

Whereas local governments in British Columbia face a growing challenge of homelessness and local governments

have been forced to deal with homelessness issues that fall under the mandate of the Province of British Columbia,

including but not limited to health care, housing and immediate access to support programs, on an ad hoc and

fragmented basis;

And whereas various pertinent ministries, local governments, social service agencies, health authorities, housing

authorities, and police forces are allocating significant resources to dealing with homelessness issues, which often

stem from mental health and/or substance abuse issues, in an uncoordinated manner, resulting in duplication and

overlapping of efforts:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia develop a comprehensive,

coordinated and sustainable province-wide homelessness plan that sets out a series of actions, timelines and

financial requirements aimed at ending homelessness in the province, while supporting community-led initiatives on

homelessness, in a compassionate, dignified and fiscally responsible manner;

And be it further resolved that UBCM, through FCM, ask the federal government to agree to a federally funded

national housing strategy.


B47 A Housing Action Agenda for British Columbia Vancouver

Whereas housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable in many areas of the province due to a range of factors,

including speculation, the rising cost of land and strong demand driven by population growth;

And whereas rental housing, which provides housing affordable to a wide range of tenants with low or mid-range

annual incomes, has not been built in large volume since the end of provincial and federal programs, resulting in

record low vacancy rates in many areas;

And whereas Premier Christy Clark has recently acknowledged the severity of the problem for renters and first-time

home buyers, promising to consider options available to make housing more affordable:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province develop and implement a comprehensive housing program, including

measures to stimulate rental housing construction, maintain existing rental housing, reduce speculation, increase

investments in social and non profit housing and expand opportunities for first-time home buyers.


B48 Purpose Built Rental Housing Maple Ridge

Whereas the provision of incentives for private investors and developers to build purpose-built rental housing would

increase the rental housing supply and contribute to overall affordable housing options; as demonstrated through

programs in the United States, like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit;

And whereas the discontinued federal Multi-Unit Residential Building program provided for an incentive to create

rental housing, not replacing this program has created diminished rental housing stock;

Therefore be it resolved that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities request that the federal government review

current tax structures and programs to provide incentives for investment that increase purpose-built rental stock.


34

B49 Expiry of Federal Cooperative Housing Agreements Maple Ridge

Whereas co-operatives provide for the mixed housing needs of many Canadians including those on fixed or limited

incomes and maintaining rent-to-income based subsidies for co-operative housing assists some of our more

vulnerable populations to remain stably housed;

And whereas federal operating agreements with housing cooperatives that provide for subsidies for their low income

residents will expire within the next five years:

Therefore be it resolved that FCM request that the federal government maintain the rent supplement funding for

more than 20,000 low-income households in co-operative housing communities across Canada.


B50 Funding Formula for Public Education Columbia Shuswap RD

Whereas many school districts throughout the Province of BC are struggling to fund and operate facilities and

programs within their jurisdiction with the funding formula that has been established by the Ministry of Education;

And whereas the Province is responsible through its own ministries or crown corporations for the setting of rates for

BC Hydro, ICBC and MSP premiums:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to complete an independent review of the

funding formula used to fund public education.


B51 Genetically Modified Organisms Anmore

Whereas the Village of Anmore opposes the cultivation of genetically engineered crops, plants and trees in the

Village of Anmore:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the federal and provincial governments to implement a regime of

mandatory labelling of all genetically modified organisms for sale in BC and Canada;

And be it further resolved that UBCM call on the federal and provincial governments to impose a moratorium on

bringing further genetically modified organisms for sale in BC and Canada.


Chair Kaehn then commenced consideration of the resolutions that had been removed from the Section B – Part 1

block for individual consideration.

B6 Sustainable Dredging of Secondary Channels of the Delta

Lower Fraser River

Whereas there is currently no government agency that has mandated responsibility for dredging the secondary

channels of the Fraser River;

And whereas many businesses and communities along the Lower Fraser River experience economic losses from the

on-going accumulation of sediment in local waterways;

And whereas the foreshore areas and bed of the Fraser River are under Provincial jurisdiction:

Therefore be it resolved that the Provincial government be requested to develop, fund and implement a long-term,

sustainable dredging program for the secondary channels of the Lower Fraser River.

35

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the enactment clause by adding the phrase “and other communities”

at the end of the enactment clause, was not endorsed.


B8 Local Government Elections – Internet Voting Osoyoos

Whereas Local Government Act Part 3, Division 9 – Voting Opportunities – does not allow the ability to offer online

voting to electors in local government elections;

And whereas this additional service provision would assist the general population, especially the elderly, disabled,

snowbirds, and those working in camp, to participate in the democratic process;

And whereas the Province of BC has the recommendations from the Independent Panel on Internet Voting from the

report produced in February, 2014:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of BC to initiate the policy analysis and legislative changes

required to implement online voting for the 2018 local government election.


Nominat ions f rom the f loor fo r the pos i t ion o f UBCM Tab le O f f icers

At 11:55 a.m., Chair Rhona Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, called for nominations from the floor for

Table Officer positions in addition to those already placed in nomination. Those nominated at the close of the

nominations for Table Officer positions were:

President: Director Al Richmond, Cariboo Regional District

First Vice-President: Councillor Murry Krause, City of Prince George


Mayor Nancy Cooper, City of Salmon Arm

Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, City of New Westminster

Third Vice-President: Mayor Nils Jensen, District of Oak Bay

Councillor Arjun Singh, City of Kamloops

At the conclusion of nominations, Chair Martin declared the positions of President and First Vice-President elected by

acclamation. She advised that an election would be held for the positions of Second Vice-President and Third Vice-

President.

The Convention adjourned for lunch at 12:00 p.m. All Area Associations hosted lunches during this period.

The Convention re-convened at 1:45 p.m.

Address by Counc i l lo r Raymond Lou ie , FCM Pres ident

At 1:45 p.m., UBCM President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, introduced Councillor Raymond Louie, President of the

Federation of Canadian Municipalities, who spoke to the assembly about current FCM activities. Councillor Dhaliwal

thanked Councillor Louie. The FCM President’s address is annexed to these Minutes as Appendix B.

36

Address by the Honourab le Pe ter Fassbender , M in is te r o f Communi ty , Spor t and Cu l tura l Deve lopment

At 2:00 p.m., UBCM President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, introduced the Minister of Community, Sport & Cultural

Development, The Honourable Peter Fassbender and invited the Minister to address the Convention. First Vice-

President Al Richmond thanked the Minister. The Minister’s address is annexed to these Minutes as Appendix C.

Cand idates ’ Speeches

At 2:30 pm, Chair Rhona Martin called forward the candidates for Table Officer positions. The delegates heard brief

two-minute presentations from each of the candidates for the positions of Second Vice-President and Third Vice-

President.

Cab inet Pane ls At 3:00 p.m. the following concurrent panels were held:

P a n e l o n R e s p o n s i b l e R e s o u r c e D e v e l o p m e n t

Honourable Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture

Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review

Honourable John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing

Honourable Mary Polak, Minister of Environment

P a n e l o n S t r o n g C o m m u n i t i e s

Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport, Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for

Translink

Honourable Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development

Honourable Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation

Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business, Red-Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor

Distribution Branch

Honourable Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General

Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness

Honourable Mike Bernier, Minister of Education

P a n e l o n S t r o n g E c o n o m y a n d J o b s

Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, Minister Responsible for Labour

Honourable Mike de Jong, Minister of Finance

Honourable Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and

Multiculturalism

Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

Honourable Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services

Honourable Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education

Presenta t ion o f 2015 C l imate and Energy Act ion Awards

At 4:15 p.m., MLA Linda Reimer assisted with the presentation of the 2015 Energy and Climate Action Awards

sponsored by the Community Energy Association.

37

The Convention adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday C l in ics On Thursday, September 24, 2015 the Convention commenced at 7:30 a.m. with the following clinics:

• Climate Leadership: Implement and Adapt

• Liability and Risk Management for Elected Officials

• Paramedic Retention in Rural and Remote BC

• Social Public Procurement and Economic Development

• Urban Deer Update

Communi ty Exce l lence Awards

Winners received their awards at a special awards breakfast, held on Thursday, September 24, 2015. Winners of the

2015 Community Excellence Awards were:

B e s t P r a c t i c e s , E x c e l l e n c e i n A c t i o n

Winner: City of Surrey, Street Light Copper Wire Replacement

Honourable Mention: City of Port Coquitlam, Cart Locks

B e s t P r a c t i c e s , O r g a n i z a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t a n d I m p r o v e m e n t s

Winner: District of Clearwater, Dutch Lake Community Centre

B e s t P r a c t i c e s , C o m m u n i t y C o n n e c t i o n s

Winner: City of Surrey, MySurrey and Surrey Request apps

Honourable Mention: District of Tofino, Tofino's 2015 Participatory Budgeting Project

L e a d e r s h i p a n d I n n o v a t i o n , G r e e n I n i t i a t i v e s

Winner: City of Kimberley, Kimberley SunMine Solar Facility

P a r t n e r s h i p s ( D o u b l e f i r s t p l a c e )

Winner: City of Richmond, Kiwanis Towers Seniors Housing Project

Winner: Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt Small Business Training Program

2 0 1 5 S p o n s o r s

Gold: Urban Systems

Silver: Green Communities Committee

Second Repor t o f the Nominat ing Commit tee fo r Execut ive Pos i t ions

At 8:30 am, Chair Rhona Martin gave the second report of the Nominating Committee for the positions of Small

Community Representative, Electoral Area Representative, Vancouver Metro Area Representative and Directors at

Large. Those nominated were:

Small Community Representative: Mayor Galina Durant, District of Stewart

Councillor Julie Pilon, Village of Lumby

Electoral Area Representative: Director Art Kaehn, Fraser-Fort George RD

38

Vancouver Metro Area Representative: Councillor Rick Glumac, City of Port Moody

Councillor Bruce Hayne, City of Surrey

Councillor Alison Morse, Bowen Island Municipality

Director at Large: Director Jim Abram, Strathcona RD

Councillor Sandy Blue, City of Abbotsford

Councillor Phil Brienesse, Town of Smithers

Councillor Beth Burton-Krahn, Township of Esquimalt

Director Willow Macdonald, Thompson-Nicola RD

Director Alison Sayers, Central Coast RD

Councillor Cheryl Shuman, City of Dawson Creek

Councillor Joe Snopek, Town of Creston

Mayor Gerry Taft, District of Invermere

Director Margo Wagner, Cariboo RD

Address by John Horgan , MLA, Leader o f the O f f ic ia l Oppos i t ion The President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, introduced John Horgan, Leader of the Official Opposition, who addressed

the Convention. Following his address, Chair Al Richmond thanked Mr. Horgan for his remarks.

Po l icy Sess ion – Reso lu t ions

Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, Chair of the UBCM Resolutions Committee, assumed the Chair and opened the morning’s

resolutions session. Councillor Puchmayr was joined by the other members of the Resolutions Committee: Chair Art

Kaehn, Chair Jim Abram, Director Wendy Booth and Mayor Nils Jensen. They were assisted by Parliamentarian Ian

Izard, UBCM Executive Director Gary MacIsaac and other UBCM staff.

Chair Art Kaehn assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of the remaining Section B1 resolutions that had

been removed from the block for individual debate.

Sec t ion B1

B18 Electricity Costs of Recreational Facilities Chase

Whereas many communities across British Columbia provide for or help fund many different types of recreational

facilities both indoor and outdoor;

And whereas the provision of a variety of recreational facilities adds a very important element to any small rural

community by enhancing the physical and mental health of the citizens, while attracting and retaining a diverse

population that helps to maintain a vibrant economy;

And whereas small communities in BC struggle with limited funds available for the provision of ice arenas, swimming

pools and curling rinks to name a few;

And whereas costs associated with electricity to heat, light and run the necessary equipment for recreational

facilities are ever increasing, seriously limiting the funding resources of small and rural communities to continue to

provide for the important recreational facilities that keep the communities strong:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be asked to require that BC Hydro and FortisBC (electricity)

provide lower electricity service rates for recreational facilities in small rural communities (under 20,000 population)

39

to assist in preventing the loss of such facilities which will have serious negative impacts on small rural

communities.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by removing from the enactment clause the phrase “in

small rural communities (under 20,000 population)”, was not endorsed.


Councillor Chuck Puchmayr assumed the Chair and continued with consideration of the remaining Section B1

resolutions that had been removed from the block for individual debate.

B34 Ministry of Energy and Mines Permitting Cowichan Valley RD

Whereas the Ministry of Energy and Mines considers and approves applications for the purpose of “extracting” sand

and gravel resources;

And whereas local governments regulate land uses, such as “processing” of resources, as authorized by the Local

Government Act and Community Charter;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Minister of Energy and Mines direct the Ministry to require

compliance with local government zoning bylaws as a permit condition, and order Ministry staff to cancel any

permits and deny any applications that contravene duly authorized local government zoning bylaws.


Sect ion B2-a

Director Wendy Booth assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of Section B – Part 2-a resolutions.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to consider as a block the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for

the Section B – Part 2-a resolutions, was endorsed. This included resolutions B52 to B73.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to add resolution B123 to the Section B – Part 2-a block, was endorsed.

The resolution as added to Section B – Part 2-a read:

B123 Canada Post Quesnel

Whereas Canada Post Corporation is in the process of eliminating door-to-door mail delivery as part of their ongoing

program to increase postal rates and reduce postal services including the closure and downsizing of post offices,

and reduction of post office hours;

And whereas door-to-door mail delivery is an essential utility service that positively contributes to the liveability and

safety of Canadian neighbourhoods, especially for increasing populations of seniors, shut-ins and persons with

mobility and accessibility challenges;

And whereas Canada Post's "super mail box" alternative to door-to-door mail delivery appears to be plagued with

problems relating to criminal vandalism, theft, and general public safety:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Government of Canada to reverse the decision to eliminate door-to-

door mail delivery and to properly consult with local governments and citizens in general relative to the continuation

of door-to-door mail delivery and other levels of postal service that are expected and required in Canada.

The recommendation of the UBCM Resolutions Committee was to endorse resolution B123.

40

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to remove the following resolutions from the Section B – Part 2-a block and

admit them for individual debate, was endorsed.

B53 Human Trafficking

B62 Compliance Under the BC Recycling Regulation

B73 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for First Responders

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to adopt the Resolutions Committee recommendations on the resolutions in the

Section B – Part 2-a block as amended, was endorsed.

The resolutions remaining in the Section B – Part 2-a block were endorsed as follows:

B52 Re-Establish Provincial Government as Diking Authority Golden

Whereas the Province has designated municipalities as diking authorities, and established a wide range of

authoritative powers over them including requirements to fully administer and resource ongoing dike maintenance,

flood protection planning, monitoring, inspection, reporting, and other associated work as well as to substantively

fund disaster prevention and relief initiatives;

And whereas notwithstanding s. 2(b) of the Community Charter, the administrative and financial resources required

to undertake these responsibilities are an increasingly unsustainable burden to small communities:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province be re-established as the diking authority in all local governments.


B54 Prolific Offenders Chilliwack

Whereas crimes perpetrated by repeat or prolific offenders have a negative effect on communities across the

province, with repercussions including but not limited to threats to public safety; damage to public and business

infrastructure; diminished economic growth; social problems; and increased policing costs, accompanied by

consequential increases to local government budgets and strains on all classes that comprise the local government

tax base;

And whereas the provincial government’s own Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction recommended, in their Final

Report, that “in order to limit the unnecessary recourse to short prison sentences that have little if any effect on

crime reduction, measures should be taken to ensure that judges have access to a variety of effective sentencing

options, supported by credible and effective programs in all communities”:

Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General for British Columbia undertake the

legislative and regulatory changes recommended by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Crime Reduction necessary to ensure

that prolific offenders are sentenced effectively, and supported by credible programs in communities to address

underlying challenges such as substance abuse or mental illness.


B55 BC Transit Funding Freeze LMLGA Executive

Whereas direction from the recently announced 2015 provincial budget and BC Transit’s 2015/16 to 2017/18 Service

Plan is to freeze operating budgets at 2015/2016 Annual Operating Agreement levels;

And whereas many local governments across British Columbia are building momentum and making great strides in

improving access to transit;

41

And whereas the freezing of operating budgets may undermine these efforts:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the province of British Columbia and BC Transit to reconsider its funding

freeze at 2015/16 levels and renew its commitment to transit by restoring previously projected operating funding for

the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 fiscal years.


B56 Rail Crossing Safety Regulations Langley City

Whereas following a public consultation process, the federal government has implemented new Grade Crossing

Regulations (2015) concerning at-grade vehicular and train crossings, a measure that challenges local governments

in terms of budget planning and prioritizing of local infrastructure needs;

And whereas local governments have been directed to conduct, at local expense, assessments within two years and

to implement identified safety improvements within seven years, with fines and penalties for non-compliance:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM call on the federal government to fully fund the completion of crossing

upgrades and extend the deadlines for both the assessment and implementation phases in response to these new

regulations.


B57 Sustaining Clean Water Sources Hudson’s Hope

Whereas municipalities from time to time receive groundwater or surface water test reports from certified

laboratories indicating contamination results higher than the Canadian safety standards;

And whereas unsatisfactory test results typically prompt authorities to issue an advisory or restriction on use of that

water, but no investigation or plan to remediate the situation:

Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call on the Province to establish a fund to allow local governments to identify

the source of contamination and devise and implement a plan for remediation.


B58 Hydroelectric Dam Water Use Planning Vanderhoof

Whereas hydroelectric dams affect water systems that are a vital resource to communities;

And whereas many hydroelectric dams lack water use plans, or have water use plans that do not give communities

input into decisions that affect local water systems, such as water flows;

And whereas communities have a strong desire to be included in decisions that affect local water resources:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia require all hydroelectric dams in British Columbia to

have water use plans which recognize values that give communities input into decisions that affect municipalities.


B59 Bio Solid Review Process Thompson-Nicola RD

Merritt

Whereas the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health are responsible for reviewing and approving bio solid

composting facility permits and land application notifications under the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation; and the

Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for administration of the Agricultural Land Commission Act;

42

And whereas, due to these activities being carried out within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the inter-jurisdictional

importation of bio solid waste materials is being authorized and land application and composting facilities are being

permitted without a public consultation process in locations where residents and the environment may be adversely

affected by the potential health risks, noise and odor nuisances, property value reductions and community well-

being:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province form a committee including local government representatives to examine

and make recommendations for changes to the Provincial bio solid review process and changes to the content in the

Organic Matter Recycling Regulation and Agricultural Land Commission Act that govern the bio solid regulatory

process in the Province of British Columbia.


B60 Quagga and Zebra Mussels Lake Country

Whereas quagga and zebra mussels pose a serious threat to BC’s aquatic ecosystems, agricultural irrigation

systems, salmon and other fisheries, hydro power stations, in-lake infrastructure facilities and individual farm

businesses relying on intake pipe infrastructure, by clogging pipes, increasing maintenance costs for hydroelectric,

industrial, agricultural and recreational facilities, causing ecological and economic damage, displacing native aquatic

plants and wildlife, degrade the environment and affect drinking water quality;

And whereas the funding for annual watercraft inspection and decontamination in British Columbia significantly

reduces the success rates against the invasive species threat allowing for only 132 inspections in British Columbia

compared to 3,747 in the province of Alberta and 49,380 in the state of Idaho:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province establish permanent inspection stations at key points of entry, coordinated

with the Pacific Northwest Regional Defence Strategy for invasive species, and also develop a provincial control and

containment strategy for regions that become infested, funded by the province.


B61 Health Impact Assessments LMLGA Executive

Whereas the BC Health Officers Council is calling for Health Impact Assessments to be carried out as part of all

Environmental Assessments conducted in the province:

Therefore be it resolved that a Health Impact Assessment must be considered for all reviewable projects under the

BC Environmental Assessment Act, and that a complete HIA be performed and provincially funded as part of the

project review process;

And be it further resolved that the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Assessment Office work with the

Health Officers Council and UBCM to develop the necessary guidance documents to support the implementation of

HIA in the assessment of reviewable projects.


B63 Crown Land and Public Meetings Central Kootenay RD

Whereas local governments receive Crown Land Recreational Tenure Application Referrals from the Ministry of Forest

Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) and often refer them to advisory planning commissions for advice;

And whereas often local governments and advisory planning commissions are not aware of how specific applications

may affect adjacent residents;

43

And whereas recreational tenures continue to increase in overlap and intensity adjacent to communities and the

newspaper advertisements placed by FLNRO for recreational tenures are difficult for the general public to identify

project locations;

And whereas the public has a genuine interest both financially and environmentally in the areas adjacent to their

communities and residents often request local governments to mediate conflict on issues outside of their jurisdiction

pertaining to these applications:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

require applicants for Crown Land Recreational Tenure to hold public meetings in the affected neighbourhoods to

ensure residents receive pertinent information and have the opportunity to provide local knowledge to the applicant.


B64 Reforestation of Productive Agricultural Land Bulkley-Nechako RD

Whereas the maintenance of a sustainable and vibrant agricultural sector is critically important to the province’s

economic, social, and sustainable future;

And whereas the loss of productive agricultural lands to tree planting by companies seeking to offset their corporate

carbon emissions is an unsustainable practice which threatens the long term health and viability of the agricultural

sector in the province:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia take action to stop the reforestation of productive

agricultural land for carbon offset purposes.


B65 Communications Regarding Drainage Maintenance Kent

Whereas a network of drainage ditches has been constructed in the Lower Mainland to channel storm water,

maintain the productivity of agricultural land and protect rural and urban areas from flooding;

And whereas these ditches, to be effective, need to be cleaned on a regular basis due to heavy vegetation growth

and sedimentation, and require approval from the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff

who have over exercised unreasonable methods of ditch cleaning creating additional costs for property owners:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government (through the Ministry of Forests, Lands

and Natural Resource Operations) confirm that the maintenance of ditches is recognized as a priority by reducing the

time required for Water Act adjudication and by improving relationships with local governments, thus ensuring that

provincial staff are available for proactive and timely communications during the approval process to reduce

operating costs related to ditch and drainage maintenance in order to best improve agricultural production.


B66 Visitor Information Centre Funding North Cowichan

Whereas British Columbia tourism generated $ 13.9 billion in revenue, $ 7.3 billion in GDP and employed over

132,000 people (2013), and communities across the Province have built and operate visitor centres by relying on

annual performance based funding from Destination BC;

And whereas Destination BC decided in 2014 to eliminate its performance-based grant calculation model, which

funded local visitor centres based on the traffic counts generated at each centre;

44

And whereas communities with visitor centres that are members of the visitor centre network require assurance of

long-term funding based on their specific traffic counts and long term needs:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to direct Destination BC to restore its "performance-based"

funding model for visitor centres - a model based on actual traffic at local and regional visitor centres - to create a

stable funding environment based on particular, local needs and in support of local jobs and economic development

across the province.


B67 Mountain Pine Beetle Impacted Communities Bulkley-Nechako RD

Whereas there are regional and national impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic in central British Columbia;

And whereas local governments in the impacted areas have collaborated to devise detailed plans and strategies that

address the social and economic consequences of the epidemic;

And whereas there has been much needed support from the Government of Canada in the past;

And whereas continued support from senior governments is essential now that the serious economic, public safety,

and social consequences are beginning to manifest;

And whereas documentation from the Government of British Columbia shows that the Government of Canada made a

commitment to an additional $800 million investment in mitigation;

And whereas that commitment is outstanding;

And whereas the wellbeing of the province and its communities is of significant importance to Canada’s economic

health, particularly in regard to trade in forest products with the United States, Europe and Asia:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM immediately and publicly call on the Government of Canada to fulfill its

commitment to invest $800 million in targeted mitigation programs in the region during the next eight years; and

urge that such investments occur in consultation with the Province, First Nations and local governments.


B68 Health Care Provider Crisis Lake Country

Whereas there is a severe shortage of general practitioners and family physicians in small British Columbia

communities causing an imminent health care provider crisis and the inevitable closure of clinics;

And whereas the current crisis jeopardizes the beneficial health outcomes of patients having a primary care

practitioner; eliminates the basic health care needs to which every British Columbian has a right; and places an

unfair burden on physicians trying to meet the demands;

And whereas the criteria used under the Rural Retention Program for ranking eligible communities and determining

incentive levels for physicians only considers remote and rural areas and does not value unique circumstances in

small urban communities which is a huge disadvantage for attracting new physicians:

Therefore be it resolved that the criteria and classification system used under the Rural Retention Program be

expanded to include incentives for physicians in smaller urban communities facing an imminent health care provider

crisis.


45

B69 Rural Out-patient Accommodation Tahsis

Whereas health care services for smaller, rural and remote communities witness the transportation of patients to

hospitals in larger urban centres by ambulance and those patients, once discharged, must make other arrangements

to return to their communities and therefore require temporary accommodation;

And whereas a broad spectrum of patients from remote communities undergoing chemotherapy treatment, day

surgery, child birth, and the like, are also in need of temporary accommodation; and given that BC Ministry of Health

goals include the key action to “work with rural communities, including First Nations, to implement a renewed

approach to providing quality health care services across rural and remote areas”:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM appeal to the provincial government to make every effort in providing support,

whether through direct funding, initiatives or policy, to organizations that are undertaking the development of lands

and other hard assets in the establishment of rural out-patient accommodation.


B70 Funding for Nurse Practitioners’ Overhead and Columbia Shuswap RD

Operating Costs

Whereas nurse practitioners are utilized as primary care providers in the delivery of health care services in rural

communities across the Province of British Columbia;

And whereas the Ministry of Health does not currently provide funding to support the overhead and operating costs

for nurse practitioners to be effectively utilized on a long-term, sustainable basis:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to immediately support the funding of overhead

and operating costs for nurse practitioners throughout the province in order to effectively utilize this form of primary

health care provider delivery service.


B71 Proposed Site C Hydroelectric Dam Victoria

Whereas the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam project on the Peace River has raised issues including the potential

impact on BC Hydro ratepayers and provincial taxpayers, as well as the potential impacts on agricultural,

environmental, aboriginal and municipal interests;

And whereas the District of Hudson’s Hope and Peace River Regional District have requested a proper review of the

project before any construction or development activities proceed:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia refer the proposed Site C

hydroelectric dam project to the BC Utilities Commission for review and consultation prior to any construction and

development activities proceeding.


B72 Funding Program for Local Poverty Reduction Initiatives Surrey

Whereas the provincial government is encouraging local governments to collaborate with the community through the

Community Poverty Reduction Strategy;

And whereas UBCM provides administration of various grants through the Local Government Program Services:

46

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia, in partnership with UBCM, initiate a

grant program to fund local poverty reduction initiatives.


B123 Canada Post Quesnel

Whereas Canada Post Corporation is in the process of eliminating door-to-door mail delivery as part of their ongoing

program to increase postal rates and reduce postal services including the closure and downsizing of post offices,

and reduction of post office hours;

And whereas door-to-door mail delivery is an essential utility service that positively contributes to the liveability and

safety of Canadian neighbourhoods, especially for increasing populations of seniors, shut-ins and persons with

mobility and accessibility challenges;

And whereas Canada Post's "super mail box" alternative to door-to-door mail delivery appears to be plagued with

problems relating to criminal vandalism, theft, and general public safety:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Government of Canada to reverse the decision to eliminate door-to-

door mail delivery and to properly consult with local governments and citizens in general relative to the continuation

of door-to-door mail delivery and other levels of postal service that are expected and required in Canada.


Following consideration of the Section B – Part 2-a block, the assembly began consideration of the resolutions that

had been removed from the block for individual debate.

B53 Human Trafficking NCLGA Executive

Whereas human trafficking is a real and devastating issue in British Columbia;

And whereas significant work & research has been done as of late to aid in the prevention and prosecution of human

trafficking throughout Canada:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the RCMP to work collaboratively with respective local governments in

order to implement the recommendations found within the National Task Force on Sex Trafficking of Women and

Girls in Canada’s recent report (“NO MORE” Ending Sex-Trafficking in Canada) as well as the Province of British

Columbia’s Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by replacing the phrase “to work collaboratively with

respective local governments” in the enactment clause with the phrase “, local police forces, and local governments

to continue to work collaboratively”, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the RCMP, local police forces, and local governments to continue to

work collaboratively in order to implement the recommendations found within the National Task Force on Sex

Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada’s recent report (“NO MORE” Ending Sex-Trafficking in Canada) as well as

the Province of British Columbia’s Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.


47

B62 Compliance Under the BC Recycling Regulation Comox

Whereas the provincial Recycling Regulation renders producers responsible for collecting and recycling the products

that they make and sell;

And whereas the Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC) product stewardship plan outlines how, acting on behalf of

producers, it will increase the provincial recycling rate for packaging and printed paper from approximately 52 per

cent to over 75 per cent;

And whereas MMBC estimates suggest that 400 businesses have yet to discharge their financial obligations under

the BC Recycling Regulation – that they are, in effect, non-compliant – thereby limiting MMBC's financial ability to

expand collection system capacity:

Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Environment improve the regulatory compliance of producers under the

Regulation, so that MMBC can finance continued expansion of the packaging and printed paper collection system to

all communities throughout the province.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by adding a second enactment clause reading, “And be

it further resolved that the Ministry of Environment not consider or approve other packaging and printed paper (PPP)

stewardship plan(s) until producers of PPP are contributing to the PPP extended producer responsibility program as

required by the Recycling Regulation,” was not endorsed.


B73 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for Central Saanich

First Responders

Whereas first responders will include 9-1-1 operators, paramedics, firefighters, peace officers, police officers,

sheriffs and corrections officers; and many first responders have been affected by a mental health injury/disorder -

thus replacing "PTSD" with "mental health injury":

And whereas there is a need to change the Workers Compensation Act under Section 5.1 to add a presumptive

clause, as it is possible that within first responders' duties, they will encounter horrific acts and develop a mental

health injury:

Therefore be it resolved that a two month maximum deadline be implemented when making a decision, at any

decision point of the claim regarding a mental health injury claim based on one psychologist and/or one psychiatrist

report;

And be it further resolved that upon receipt of a mental health injury claim, the worker should receive immediate

financial benefits and treatment, with the understanding and agreement of the worker, their specialist and WorkSafe

BC that if it is proven that the injury was not as a result of their duties of employment, there will be a repayment plan

for costs;

And be it further resolved that when the worker is “fit to return to work or retraining” there will be a follow up plan to

be agreed upon by WorkSafe BC, the specialist and the worker;

And be it further resolved that under Policy 97.34, Conflict of Medical Opinion, the probable difference of opinion

shall be discussed with the physicians (refer to the treating physician or specialists) involved, and if it is concluded

that there is doubt on any issues, the board must follow the mandate of s. 99 of the Workers Compensation Act and

resolve that issue in a manner that favours the worker;

48

And be it further resolved that the Province of British Columbia add new legislative language to Section 5.1 of the

Workers Compensation Act, adding a presumptive clause for mental health injuries as set forth in this resolution, to

ensure the wellbeing of all first responders who have sustained a mental health injury.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by replacing the five enactment clauses with one

enactment clause reading, “Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government work with WorkSafe BC, first

responders and other stakeholders to review and amend the Workers Compensation Act with the goal of supporting

the well-being of first responders who have sustained a mental health injury”, was not endorsed.


Sect ion B2-b

Chair Jim Abram assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

Chair Abram reviewed the procedures for handling Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

The following resolutions from Section B – Part 2-b were debated individually.

B74 Funding for Road Maintenance Zeballos

Whereas road infrastructure, the lifeline to many coastal communities, is not under the care and control of the

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, but rather entrusted to profit oriented industry;

And whereas funding levels driven by stumpage and royalties are no longer adequate to sustain and maintain coastal

road infrastructure to "community use" standard as expected by the travelling public:

Therefore be it resolved that the British Columbia provincial government be required to re-evaluate stumpage rates

and apply an increased operating budget to support additional maintenance funding for forest roads accessing

communities to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations who is responsible for many of these

coastal community lifelines.


B75 Highway Maintenance Vanderhoof

Whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining provincial highways;

And whereas the cumulative effects of climate change has caused many highways to become severely degraded,

creating unsafe traveling conditions:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia provide additional funding to address the cumulative

effects of climate change on highways.


B76 Routine Highway Maintenance Over Pipelines LMLGA Executive

Whereas timely maintenance of municipal highways is a matter of public safety;

And whereas Kinder Morgan has taken issue with municipalities filling potholes and performing routine maintenance

citing regulations under the National Energy Board Act;

49

And whereas the National Energy Board General Order No. 1 Respecting Standard Conditions for Crossings of

Pipelines imposes certain conditions which include a condition that a pipeline crossing a highway shall be located so

that it will not interfere with highway traffic or maintenance;

And whereas there is uncertainty and confusion regarding the application of regulations cited by Kinder Morgan, the

effect of National Energy Board General Order No. 1 Respecting Standard Conditions for Crossings of Pipelines and

conditions that may have been imposed under the earlier enactments of s.108 of the National Energy Board which

provides that any certificate approving a pipeline may contain terms and conditions related to pipelines crossing

highways and other utilities:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM request the federal Ministry of Natural Resources to revise the

regulations under the National Energy Board Act such that the regulations appropriately balance public safety and the

continuing need for municipalities to undertake routine highway maintenance without having to first provide notice to

or obtain a permit from the owner or operator of the pipeline.


B77 Development of an Emergency Response Seismic Mitigation Fund Powell River City

Whereas in 1921 the Province of British Columbia initiated collection of a tax of 4.4% of gross property and vehicle

insurance premiums (Insurance Premium Tax) equal to approximately $450M per year to offset the cost of

administering the Fire Marshalls Act, later the Fire Services Act;

And whereas the March 2014 Auditor General's Report concluded that British Columbia was not adequately prepared

for a catastrophic seismic event and it is anticipated that seismic upgrading will be one of the included

recommendations contained in the report of Henry Renteria, Chair of the BC Earthquake Preparedness Consultation

that has been received by the province:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government:

• establish an Emergency Response Seismic Mitigation Fund;

• allocate $190,000,000 annually from the Insurance Premium Tax to the fund; and

• make available up to $1,000,000 of the fund annually to each local government in British Columbia for the

purpose of seismic upgrading of local government emergency response buildings including emergency

reception centres.


B78 Disaster Relief Central Kootenay RD

Whereas sections 20(1) and (2) of the Emergency Program Act specifically state that:

“The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, be regulation, establish criteria by which the eligibility of a person to

receive disaster financial assistance is to be determined;

The Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Minister may provide disaster financial assistance in accordance with the

regulations to persons who suffer loss as a result of a disaster.”

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Lieutenant Governor in Council to expand the disaster relief fund making

it available to all property owners when such disaster is a result of natural and/or non-human causes.


50

B79 WorkSafe BC Confined Space Regulations Penticton

Whereas WorkSafe BC amended its confined space regulation in 2011;

And whereas the current WorkSafe BC regulations and guidelines with respect to confined space within waste water

treatment plants are challenging design standards;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training to direct WorkSafe BC

to provide an exemption to waste water treatment plants until a confined space regulations rewrite, with input from

waste water treatment plant owners and operators, can be completed.

On motion, was Not Endorsed

B80 Rape Culture in Canada NCLGA Executive

Whereas sexual assaults continue to be committed across Canada, and victims are of every age, race, income and

gender;

And whereas sexual assaults are under-reported, and prosecution and conviction rates are low:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate for an intergovernmental task force to be convened to determine the

steps needed to erase the “rape culture” that is pervasive in schools, universities, workplaces and elsewhere across

Canada;

And be it further resolved that the task force be mandated to elicit testimony from victims in order to determine the

steps needed to improve the reporting, arrest and conviction rates across Canada.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by adding a third enactment clause reading “And be it

further resolved that the task force be mandated to determine the steps needed to improve the reporting, arrest and

conviction rates across Canada”, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate for an intergovernmental task force to be convened to determine the

steps needed to erase the “rape culture” that is pervasive in schools, universities, workplaces and elsewhere across

Canada;

And be it further resolved that the task force be mandated to elicit testimony from victims in order to determine the

steps needed to improve the reporting, arrest and conviction rates across Canada;

And be it further resolved that the task force be mandated to determine the steps needed to improve the reporting,

arrest and conviction rates across Canada.


Resu l ts o f E lec t ion fo r Second V ice -Pres ident and Th i rd V ice-Pres ident

Chair Rhona Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, assumed the Chair and presented the election results for:


Third Vice-President: Councillor Arjun Singh, City of Kamloops

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to destroy the ballots, was endorsed.

51

Chair Jim Abram resumed the Chair and continued with consideration of Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

B81 BC Emergency Response Management System Bulkley-Nechako RD

Whereas the British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS) was developed to ensure a

coordinated and organized provincial response and recovery to any and all emergency incidents;

And whereas the BCERMS Response Objectives are not being applied to flooding events to ensure residents of BC are

ranked first:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia ensure the residents of BC are ranked first during all

emergency incidents including flooding events; and further, that the ranking apply to both natural and unnatural

(industry) led events.


B82 Increasing Corporate Income Tax Rates Cowichan Valley RD

Whereas local governments are heavily reliant on property taxes and need to diversify their revenue sources;

And whereas income tax sharing arrangements are common between senior and local government in other

jurisdictions and British Columbia has the second lowest corporate income tax rate of all provinces and territories:

Therefore be it resolved that the Government of British Columbia be urged to increase the corporate income tax rate

by 1% on large corporations as defined by the Province and transfer any revenue from that tax increase to the local

government level.


B83 Carbon Tax New Westminster

Whereas the urgency of finding ways to meet B.C.'s 2020 GHG reduction targets is increasing, B.C.'s economy

remains strong relative to the rest of Canada, the carbon tax has been a success at helping to lower emissions, and

has enjoyed relatively high public support and been praised by the OECD and World Bank; and,

Whereas the province's carbon tax freeze is scheduled to end in 2018, or earlier if enough jurisdictions implement

comparable carbon pricing approaches, and the percentage of the world's carbon pollution covered by a carbon price

is expected to increase from 12% in 2014 to 25% in 2017 after Ontario, Washington and Oregon State, and China,

Chile and South Africa implement the systems they have promised:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province commit to increases in the carbon tax of $5 per tonne per year starting

when the freeze ends and reviewed five years later, and use the incremental revenue of the carbon tax to support

emission reduction projects, particularly at the local and regional level.


B84 Business Class Exemption Vernon

Whereas the statutory property exemption for business Class 6 assessments is $10,000, regardless of the property

value;

And whereas the business Class 6 exemption has remained unchanged since implementation in 1984 despite

increasing assessments;

52

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government review the business class exemption for Class 6

assessments and consider an increase to $50,000 for the statutory property exemption, in order to provide small

business, in the Province of British Columbia, a fair exemption for their increased assessed property value.


B85 Office of Auditor General for Local Government North Saanich

Whereas the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG) has cost taxpayers $5.2 million with little evidence of any

value for taxpayers;

And whereas there is a lack of a clear public policy problem that the AGLG is intended to resolve:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to eliminate the Auditor General for Local Government due to

the fact that the requirements of such an office are already met under existing local government legislation and

regulations.


Nominat ions f rom the F loor fo r Execut ive Pos i t ions

At 11:25 a.m. Chair Rhona Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, called for nominations from the floor for the

positions of Small Community Representative, Electoral Area Representative, Vancouver Metro Area Representative

and Director at Large. Those nominated at the close of nominations were:


Councillor Julie Pilon, Village of Lumby


Vancouver Metro Area Representative: Councillor Rick Glumac, City of Port Moody

Councillor Bruce Hayne, City of Surrey



Councillor Sandy Blue, City of Abbotsford


Councillor Beth Burton-Krahn, Township of Esquimalt

Director Willow Macdonald, Thompson-Nicola RD

Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, New Westminster



Councillor Joe Snopek, Town of Creston


Director Margo Wagner, Cariboo RD

Chair Martin declared the position of Electoral Area Representative elected by acclamation and declared there would

be elections for the positions of Small Community Representative, Vancouver Metro Area Representative and Director

at Large.

53

Cand idates ’ Speeches

The delegates heard brief two-minute presentations from each of the candidates for the positions of Small

Community Representative, Vancouver Metro Area Representative and Director at Large.

Address by Adam O lsen , In te r im Leader o f the Green Par ty o f Br i t i sh Co lumbia

At 11:55 a.m., UBCM President, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal introduced the Interim Leader of the Green Party, Adam

Olsen, who then addressed the delegates. Mr. Olsen outlined the current work and priorities of the Green Party of BC,

and was thanked by President Dhaliwal.

Delegates Lunch

The Annual Delegates Lunch was held in Ballroom B, Vancouver Convention Centre.

The President, Sav Dhaliwal introduced Special Guests, MLAs, and Life Members who were in attendance.

The lunch was sponsored by Central 1 Credit Union in co-operation with the Credit Unions of BC.

Concurrent Workshops

At 2:30 p.m. the following concurrent workshops were held:

• Elxn 2015: Keeping our Issues Front and Centre

• Mutual Prosperity of First Nations and Municipalities

• Port Metro Vancouver Harbour Tour

• Public Engagement - When to Lead and When to Follow

• Tools for Coasts that Work

UBCM Annua l Banquet

In the evening, the Annual Banquet was held for delegates and guests at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The

banquet reception was sponsored by FortisBC, while the banquet had the following sponsors: FortisBC, TransCanada

and KPMG.

Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, UBCM President, presented Long-Service Awards recognizing 25+ years of service in local

government to:

• Councillor Jack Arnold, City of Langley

• Mayor Leslie Baird, Village of Cumberland

• Mayor James Baker, District of Lake Country

• Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, City of Castlegar

• Councillor Gayle Martin, City of Langley

• Mayor John Ranta, Village of Cache Creek

President Dhaliwal presented a Special Long-Service Award in recognition of 35+ years of service in local

government to Mayor Lois E. Jackson, Corporation of Delta.

President Dhaliwal then presented a Life Membership to the Honourable Coralee Oakes, MLA for her service as

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development from 2013 to 2015; and to Mr. Ken Vance, retired UBCM

54

Senior Policy Advisor, for 30 years of dedicated service. Chair Al Richmond, President-Elect, presented a Life

Membership to Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, UBCM President, 2014 - 2015.

Po l icy Sess ion – Reso lu t ions

On Friday, September 25, 2015 the Plenary reconvened and the Policy session resumed at 8:00 a.m. with Councillor

Sav Dhaliwal in the Chair.

Repor t on Reso lu t ions Rece ived Af te r the Dead l ine

Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, Chair of the Resolutions Committee, assumed the Chair and commenced consideration

of the Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline. Councillor Puchmayr was joined by the other members of

the Resolutions Committee: Chair Art Kaehn, Chair Jim Abram, Director Wendy Booth and Mayor Nils Jensen. They

were assisted by Parliamentarian Ian Izard, UBCM Executive Director Gary MacIsaac and other UBCM staff.

On motion, duly moved and seconded, delegates endorsed the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee in the

Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline. In accordance with the recommendations of the Resolutions

Committee in the Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline, resolutions LR1, LR2 and LR3 were admitted for

debate, while the remaining late resolutions were not admitted for debate.

LR1 Assistance to Refugees Whistler

Whereas the ongoing crisis for Syrians has ignited a need for a coordinated effort of aid from all levels of government

in Canada;

And whereas Canada has a history of extending offers of settlement to refugees for humanitarian reasons:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the federal government to act immediately to accelerate the process and to

significantly increase federal commitments to receive Syrian refugees in Canada matching or exceeding historic

levels.


LR2 Appurtenance Provisions in the Forest Act Canal Flats

Whereas previous to 2003, the Forest Act included a licence requirement to process timber at specific sawmills

within a certain area;

And whereas timber is being shipped from the Canal Flats area as far as the West Kootenays and not the Canal Flats

Sawmill;

And whereas the Canal Flats Sawmill is being closed permanently due to the lack of fibre at other sawmills:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to re-examine the appurtenance requirement in the Forest

Act to help create local or regional economic benefits from the timber that is being logged in an area.


LR3 Federal Port Operations on Agricultural Land Richmond

Whereas the Agricultural Land Reserve Act and regulations establish the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) as a

provincial zone in which agriculture is recognized as the priority land use, farming is encouraged, and non-

agricultural uses are restricted;

55

And whereas the Canada Marine Act empowers federal port authorities to undertake port activities including the

shipping, navigation, transporting and handling of goods and passengers, including managing, leasing, licensing,

acquiring and disposing of lands for the purposes of operating and supporting port operations;

And whereas the provisions of the Canada Marine Act effectively exempt federal port authorities operating in BC from

the land use provisions of the Agricultural Land Reserve Act and regulations;

And whereas Port Metro Vancouver, a federal port authority, has purchased land in Richmond, BC that falls within the

Agricultural Land Reserve, and which over time it may wish to develop for port operations rather than agricultural

use—a situation that could occur in any region of the province where a federal port authority operates;

And whereas the City of Richmond has expressed opposition to the Land Use Plan that Port Metro Vancouver

prepared for the ALR land that it purchased in Richmond, specifically the fact that the plan may contemplate future

non-agricultural use of ALR land:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial and federal governments to:

• order federal port authorities operating in BC to sell at fair market value any currently held real properties

that fall within the Agricultural Land Reserve;

• enact legislative and regulatory changes to prohibit federal port authorities from purchasing land within the

Agricultural Land Reserve if the intended use is non-agricultural; and

• require federal port authorities to establish meaningful consultation processes and a formal dispute

resolution process with neighbouring local governments, to address issues arising from federal port

operations and activities;

And be it further resolved that in the specific case of Port Metro Vancouver, UBCM urge the Board of Directors of Port

Metro Vancouver to adopt a policy prohibiting the expansion of Port Metro Vancouver operations onto lands within the

Agricultural Land Reserve.


Sect ion B2-b

Chair Art Kaehn assumed the Chair and continued with consideration of the Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

B86 Land Title Fees Nanaimo RD

Whereas local governments rely on land title records and survey plans from the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC

(LTSA) in their day to day operations beyond those searches conducted for assessment or taxation purposes;

And whereas the Land Title Act limits the fee exemption to land title register searches conducted for taxation and

assessment purposes only, resulting in significant additional costs to local governments:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to amend the Land Title Act to expand the purposes under

which a local government can search the records of the land title office without charge.


56

B87 Funding Allocation to Small Communities Lumby

Whereas the Province of BC and Government of Canada offer a range of local government funding programs to

stimulate the economy and address infrastructure requirements;

And whereas the definition of small communities under the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund

(NBCF) is defined as communities with a population of less than 100,000 people;

And whereas villages, towns and districts with a population under 5,000 people, make up for more than half of the

162 municipalities in British Columbia;

And whereas villages, towns and districts with a population under 5,000 often don’t have the financial resources to

afford their portion of the funding required under the government grant programs such as the NBCF:

Therefore be it resolved that a new category referred to as “micro-community” be introduced when the provincial or

federal governments are establishing grant programs tailored to unique needs and financial positions of micro-

communities;

And be it further resolved that the municipal portion of projects being funded by government grants be lessened for

micro-communities to recognize their more limited financial capabilities and financial readiness in comparison to

their more populous counterparts.


B88 Change the Requirements for Public Notification North Vancouver District

Whereas the Local Government Act and the Community Charter require that all public notices be published in a

newspaper;

And whereas printed newspapers are no longer the only or most effective means of giving public notice:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government amend the Local Government Act and the

Community Charter to allow statutorily required public notices to be published using a variety of media channels,

including but not limited to: newspapers, social media, web sites and online advertising, as long as reasonably

equivalent or better reach than that of solely using printed newspapers can be demonstrated.


B89 Setting of Local Government Fees Williams Lake

Whereas local governments are faced with difficulties regulating and deterring excessive nuisance complaints which

results in a drain on local government staff and RCMP resources;

And whereas Section 194 of the Community Charter challenges local governments’ ability to effectively discourage

prolific offenders by restricting fees:

Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to amend the Community Charter to allow local

governments the power and flexibility to successfully establish and collect fees and penalties.


57

B90 Change the Position Title of Electoral Area Director Kootenay Boundary RD

Whereas the term Director, when used for an Electoral Area Director, denotes a corporate or bureaucratic structure

and creates confusion with the public and colleagues across the country and beyond, and;

And whereas Electoral Area Directors are often excluded from important events, announcements and opportunities

for consultation simply because they are seen as a lesser form of elected official:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia amend the Local Government Act and Community

Charter as necessary to change the title of Electoral Area Director to Rural Mayor to more properly reflect the

responsibilities and contributions of these elected officials.

On motion, was Referred to the UBCM Executive

B91 Candidates for Local Government Elections to Run in One Jurisdiction Only View Royal

Whereas the simultaneous running for local government office by a candidate in multiple jurisdictions makes a

mockery of the election process;

And whereas there is currently no mechanism in local government elections-related legislation to prohibit the

simultaneous running for local government office by a candidate in multiple jurisdictions:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia be requested to amend Part 3 of the Local Government

Act to add a prohibition on the simultaneous running for local government office by a candidate in multiple

jurisdictions.


B92 Withdrawal, Death or Incapacity of an Election Candidate Quesnel

Whereas upon the withdrawal, death or incapacity of a duly nominated candidate in a local government election, the

Local Government Act does not effectively enable the Chief Elections Officer to formally notify voters of withdrawal,

death or incapacity of such candidate;

And whereas under the current provisions of the Local Government Act, such candidate in a local government

election could conceivably receive a sufficient number of valid votes to be declared elected, thereby necessitating a

by-election:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of BC to amend Section 80(1) of the Local Government Act

to enable the Chief Elections Officer to post a prescribed notice inside each polling booth, or otherwise inform voters

at a local government election of the withdrawal, death or incapacity of a candidate;

And be it further resolved that any votes cast for that candidate would not be counted.


B93 Recall of Local Government Elected Officials Telkwa

Whereas the recently extended term of office for local government elected officials in BC negatively affects the

ability of the local electorate to vote for change in their local government;

And whereas there is a potential for local government elected officials to pursue activities that are not supported by,

and not in the best interests of their constituents, potentially causing financial, social or operational harm in their

communities:

58

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia amend BC’s Community Charter to

include a mechanism enabling voters to recall their local government elected officials, whereby the signatures of

more than 50% of registered municipal voters would be required, with the petition being initiated no less than 18

months after the date the local government elected official was sworn in to office, following the same recall timeline

currently being used by Elections BC for the recall of Members of the Legislative Assembly.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by inserting the phrase “or ward” into the enactment

clause following the phrase “more than 50% of registered municipal”, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia amend BC’s Community Charter to

include a mechanism enabling voters to recall their local government elected officials, whereby the signatures of

more than 50% of registered municipal or ward voters would be required, with the petition being initiated no less

than 18 months after the date the local government elected official was sworn in to office, following the same recall

timeline currently being used by Elections BC for the recall of Members of the Legislative Assembly.


Mayor Nils Jensen assumed the Chair and continued with consideration of Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

B94 Campaign Contribution Legislation North Vancouver City

Whereas the newly elected NDP government in Alberta has introduced legislation to prohibit political campaign

contributions from corporate and union sources:

Therefore be it resolved that the Government of BC prohibit political campaign contributions from corporate and

union sources at the provincial and local government level in the province of BC;

And be it further resolved that limits be placed on the size of individual candidates’ contributions and contributions to

campaigns.


B95 Aversive Conditioning of Urban Ungulates Elkford

Whereas British Columbia communities have been experiencing high populations of urban ungulates and are

attempting to address the urban ungulate/human interactions;

And whereas currently the Wildlife Act prohibits the use of dogs to harass wildlife as a means to reduce urban

ungulate population:

Therefore be it resolved that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the provincial Ministry of Forests,

Lands and Natural Resource Operations to develop a permitting provision in the Wildlife Act Permit Regulation that

will allow communities with an urban ungulate/human interaction problem, and who are proactively addressing the

situation with bylaws and communications, to apply for a permit for aversive conditioning of ungulates by trained

dogs to further address the health and safety of both their residents and the urban ungulates.


59

B96 Geographic Scope of Environmental Impact Assessments Delta

Whereas environmental impact assessments are undertaken for major infrastructure projects in accordance with the

BC Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;

And whereas the impacts of a project may extend well beyond the geographic footprint of the project;

And whereas this is particularly true for port developments where road, rail and shipping impacts may affect

communities that are geographically distant from the marine terminal:

Therefore be it resolved that the BC government be requested to ensure that the scope of environmental impact

assessments for major infrastructure projects includes the wider community and environmental impacts associated

with increased road, rail and marine traffic so that a range of mitigation options can be assessed, including the

development of inland port facilities.


B97 Waiving Royalties for Gravel Extraction in Flood Hazard Areas Stewart

Whereas communities situated on flood plains are overshadowed by the potential threat of flooding;

And whereas the significant rate of gravel aggregation in rivers adjacent to flood plains is well documented and

removal thereof would reduce the flooding risk;

And whereas small local governments lack the financial resources to undertake gravel extraction;

And whereas there is no provincial or federal program in place for flood reduction or prevention;

And whereas royalties are required to be paid on all gravel extracted that is not for public works use:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to waive royalties for all gravel that is

extracted by local governments and leaseholders from riverbeds adjacent to flood hazard areas.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by adding to the enactment clause the phrase “, where

qualified professionals confirm that gravel extraction will reduce flooding risk”, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to waive royalties for all gravel that is

extracted by local governments and leaseholders from riverbeds adjacent to flood hazard areas, where qualified

professionals confirm that gravel extraction will reduce flooding risk.


B98 Medical Marijuana Dispensary Regulation LMLGA Executive

Whereas the proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries has caused problems for a number of local government

jurisdictions;

And whereas the ongoing legal case between the federal government and the courts has resulted in uncertainty on

this issue:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM endorse the position that local governments have the authority to regulate

medical marijuana dispensaries.


60

B99 Removal of Lands from Agricultural Land Reserve Peace River RD

Whereas the Cabinet Order in Council No. 148 excluding land within the Site C reservoir is the largest exclusion in

the 43-year history of the Agricultural Land Reserve;

And whereas historically, there have been other Cabinet Orders for exclusion which were subject to much more

public input both for and against prior to a decision being made;

And whereas this decision was made without public input or application:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC be requested to rescind Order in Council No. 148 until there has

been adequate public input and respect shown for the legal requirements required to apply for removal of lands from

the Agricultural Land Reserve.


B100 Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles Langley Township

Whereas electric vehicles significantly reduce green house gases (GHGs) emitted to the atmosphere and the adoption

of electric vehicles is dependent upon the availability of electric vehicle infrastructure;

And whereas there are currently no provisions in the Green provisions of the BC Building Code or local zoning bylaws

for electrical supply points for electric vehicles and it is costly to retrofit electrical supply points for electric vehicles,

as well as to retrofit electrical conduit or cable in buildings or on properties that have already been constructed or

developed:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Government of British Columbia consider an addition to the

Green (opt-in) provisions of the BC Building Code to provide:

a. For a rough-in electrical raceway or cable, and electrical panel capacity to accommodate a future level 2,

minimum 40 amp electrical circuit for each dwelling unit of one and two family buildings that have parking

spaces; and

b. That each one of twenty per cent of the parking spaces that are required for use by owners or occupiers of

dwelling units in multiple family buildings be provided with a roughed-in electrical raceway or cable,

electrical panel capacity and sufficient space in the electrical room to accommodate a future level 2,

minimum 40 amp electrical circuit and that the electrical room shall include equipment space and panel

capacity for 100 per cent of the required resident spaces;

And be it further resolved that UBCM request that the Government of BC consider a revision to Part 26, Section

906(1)(a) of the Local Government Act to “provide spaces and charging infrastructure for use by plug-in electric

vehicles,” and a revision to Section 906(1)(b) to include “designation” of the parking spaces.


61

Resu l ts o f E lec t ion fo r Smal l Communi ty Representa t i ve , Vancouver Met ro Area Representa t i ve and D i rec tor a t Large

Chair Rhona Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, assumed the Chair and presented the election results for:



Vancouver Metro Area Representative: Councillor Bruce Hayne, City of Surrey







A motion, duly moved and seconded, to destroy the ballots, was endorsed.

Mayor Nils Jensen resumed the Chair and continued with consideration of Section B – Part 2-b resolutions.

B101 Support for Prioritizing of Resolutions AKBLG Executive

Whereas the number of resolutions endorsed by the membership of the local government Area Associations and

UBCM is very large and without ranking or prioritization and results in a large list of resolutions which can be in

some cases be ignored by the Provincial Government and is difficult for various executives to take actions on;

And whereas often the less important resolutions without clear recommendations for support receive the most

debate and media attention:

Therefore be it resolved that the AKBLG encourage other BC Area Associations and the UBCM to implement a

prioritizing practice into their resolutions process.


B102 Include Marijuana Derivatives and Review Access Grand Forks

Whereas the Council for the City of Grand Forks on behalf of its citizens, believes that everyone has a right to access

the best medical treatment available and further that marijuana derivatives such as cannabinoid oils have been

shown to have great benefit to patients that cannot use the approved smokeable product:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the federal government to include marijuana derivatives as part of the

legal medical marijuana program, and further review the legislation and options for greater local access.


Sect ion B3-a

Director Wendy Booth assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of the Section B – Part 3-a resolutions.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to consider the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for the Section

B – Part 3-a resolutions as a block, was endorsed. This included resolutions B103 to B110.

62

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to endorse the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for the Section

B – Part 3-a block of resolutions, was endorsed. The disposition of the resolutions was as follows:

B103 Fines for Failing to Stop for a School Bus Fort St. John

Whereas the citizens of British Columbia take the responsibility of protecting their children very seriously;

And whereas under provincial law, it is prohibited to pass a school bus that is displaying red alternating lights and

drivers in both directions must stop and wait for the bus driver to load or off-load children and for the bus driver to

disengage the signal lights before proceeding;

And whereas there are increased reports of drivers failing to stop for school buses;

And whereas the fine for “Failing to Stop for a School Bus” in British Columbia is $167 with no graduated penalties

for additional offences:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of BC to review the fine amounts for failing to stop for a

school bus and to implement a progressive system of fines and stiffer penalties for infractions.


B104 Increase Physiotherapy Academic Seats Cariboo RD

Whereas physiotherapy is an integral part of a balanced health care program, providing benefit to patients of all

ages;

And whereas there is a shortage of physiotherapists throughout BC, including many communities with no positions

and no service due to unsuccessful physiotherapy recruitment efforts which has resulted in the loss of positions;

And whereas the University of British Columbia graduates 80 physiotherapists annually and is the only physiotherapy

school in BC, although the University of Northern British Columbia has space for a 20 seat physiotherapy program:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Ministry of Advanced Education and the BC Treasury Board for

the establishment of a physiotherapy program at the University of Northern BC to provide for 20 more physiotherapy

academic seats.


B105 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Powell River City

Whereas one in eight men in British Columbia will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime representing

the number one cancer risk to men;

And whereas the economic, family and social costs to our province would be significantly diminished through

increased awareness and early detection:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government proclaim September as Prostate Cancer

Awareness Month to ensure men and their loved ones are aware of the need for early detection.


63

B106 Action on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations Vancouver

Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created as part of the settlement agreement between

the federal government, the churches and survivor parties to the Indian Residential Schools Class Action Settlement

Agreement to determine the truth about Canada's Indian residential schools and establish a reconciliation process;

And whereas over the course of the last six years, the TRC researched official records and visited communities

across Canada to hear from thousands of residential school survivors and their families about the impacts of

residential schools and colonization;

And whereas the findings of these investigations are summarized in the TRC's Final Report, released June 2, 2015,

and include 94 recommendations for action by all levels of government;

And whereas the City of Vancouver was the first city in Canada to establish a Year of Reconciliation, starting on

National Aboriginal Day, 2013, prompting similar action from other Canadian cities representing millions of

Canadians;

And whereas at the end of the Year of Reconciliation, City Council committed to create a City of Reconciliation to find

a new pathway forward that is forged in truth and justice, respect and partnership with our First Nation and

Aboriginal communities;

And whereas the TRC has put a call to action to government stating “that knowing the truth about what happened in

residential schools in and of itself does not necessarily lead to reconciliation” and many of the recommendations in

the TRC final report are actionable by the City and our local government partners:

Therefore be it resolved that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and Federation of Canadian Municipalities

urge the governments of British Columbia and Canada respectively, to undertake a review of the recommendations

and provide a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how they intend to move forward no later

than December 31, 2015.


B107 National Orange Shirt Day Cariboo RD

Whereas recommendation #80 in the Truth and Reconciliation summary report calls for "a National Day to honour

survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of

residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process";

And whereas September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day across Canada and beyond, as a day to

commemorate the survivors of residential schools, to remember those who did not survive, and to reaffirm our

commitment to ensuring a better future for all children;

And whereas ceremonies observing Orange Shirt Day are held across Canada and beyond;

And whereas the Assembly of First Nations, at their national conference in 2014, unanimously passed a resolution in

support of Orange Shirt Day:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the federal government to declare September 30th, Orange Shirt Day, a

national day to honour survivors, their families and their communities, to ensure that public commemoration of the

history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.


64

B108 Homelessness Partnering Strategy Fraser Valley RD

Whereas the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of BC Municipalities recognize that homelessness

is a national concern requiring long-term solutions;

And whereas the 2011 to 2014 Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) identified sixty one “Designated

Communities” in Canada, with seven in British Columbia, to be eligible for HPS funding;

And whereas despite continued homelessness challenges in many communities across British Columbia, the 2014 to

2019 HPS program renewal did not include a review or update of eligible “Designated Communities”:

Therefore be it resolved that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the federal government to:

• Update the Homelessness Partnering Strategy “Designated Communities” eligibility list to reflect significant

homelessness challenges faced by many communities not previously identified as having serious

homelessness challenges; and

• Amend the funding criteria to consider a broad range of factors including community capacity and the

specific needs of individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;

And be it further resolved that federal government funding of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy be increased to

take into account new communities added to the program.


B109 Housing First Funding New Westminster

Whereas the federal government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy has recently initiated a significant program

shift by placing much greater emphasis on ‘Housing First;’ and

Whereas this program shift has redistributed funds and resulted in tightened eligibility criteria which has served to

limit access to programs for those not meeting the criteria; and

Whereas this redistribution is causing funding reductions in housing outreach, referral and advocacy programs to

people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, including vulnerable seniors, low-income families, and women

and children fleeing abuse:

Therefore be it resolved that the federal and provincial governments provide Housing First funding as an

enhancement to important community programs and not at the expense of those programs.


B110 Registered Disability Savings Plan Kamloops

Whereas the Federal Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) requires Persons With Disabilities (PWD) to be eligible

for the Federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) in order to open a RDSP;

And whereas the Province of BC has a rigorous application and review process to grant individuals the PWD

designation;

And whereas the DTC application process is extremely difficult and expensive for PWD requiring significant

paperwork and often multiple physician appointments:

65

Therefore be it resolved that the federal and provincial governments work together to simplify the Disability Tax

Credit application process or allow individuals with the Persons With Disabilities designation to apply directly for a

Registered Disability Savings Plan.


Sect ion B3-b

Chair Jim Abram assumed the Chair and commenced consideration of the Section B – Part 3-b resolutions.

B111 National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Victoria

Whereas indigenous women and girls in Canada have been murdered or have gone missing at a rate four times

higher than non-indigenous women, despite aboriginal women constituting less than five per cent of the Canadian

population;

And whereas the homicide rate in the past decade is roughly seven time higher for indigenous women and girls than

for all other women and girls in Canada:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the federal government convene a national inquiry into the

widespread and severe violence faced by indigenous women and girls in Canada;

And be it further resolved that UBCM encourage their member local governments to work together, in collaboration

with indigenous women’s organizations, to institute a comprehensive response to the widespread and severe

violence faced by indigenous women and girls.


B112 Warning Labels for all Fossil Based Liquid Fuels Colwood

Whereas there is evidence that combustion of petroleum products such as gas and diesel used in vehicles contribute

to greenhouse gas emissions that affect natural systems in ways that are injurious to human health and to the

natural environment upon which we all depend for food and life;

And whereas sea level rise resulting from greenhouse gas emissions will cause significant harm to coastal

communities:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM support, and will implement where possible, legislation to require retailers of

petroleum products to provide plastic sleeves (nozzle toppers) with warning labels on pump handles for all fossil

based liquid fuels.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to amend the resolution by inserting the phrase “that member local

governments” into the enactment clause prior to the phrase “will implement where possible”, was endorsed.


Therefore be it resolved that UBCM support, and that member local governments will implement where possible,

legislation to require retailers of petroleum products to provide plastic sleeves (nozzle toppers) with warning labels

on pump handles for all fossil based liquid fuels.


A motion, duly moved and seconded, to introduce as a block the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for

the remaining Section B – Part 3 resolutions, was endorsed. This included resolutions B113 to B122.

66

A motion, duly moved and seconded, to adopt the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee on the remaining

Section B – Part 3 resolutions, was endorsed.

Any resolutions for which the Resolutions Committee had provided no recommendation would be referred

automatically to the UBCM Executive, to be considered at their meeting in November 2015.

The disposition of the remaining Section B – Part 3 resolutions was as follows:

B113 Wildlife Allocation Policy Fernie

Whereas the rest of Canada and North America has a maximum allowance of 10% for non-resident hunter pertaining

to annual allowable harvest of wildlife;

And whereas the current Allocation Policy was negotiated in good faith in 2007 with all stakeholders at the table but

was never implemented.

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM support implementation by the Province of the Harvest Allocation Policy and

Procedure for non-resident hunters as was negotiated in 2007.

No Recommendation – was Referred to the UBCM Executive

B114 National Pharmacare Program Vancouver

Whereas the City of Vancouver has recognized and has demonstrated over the past years its commitment to the

importance of healthy citizens as the foundation of a healthy, engaged and economically vibrant community;

And whereas over 3 million Canadians, including many in our local communities, don’t take medicines prescribed by

their doctors because they can’t afford them;

And whereas Canada is currently the only country with a national medicare program that does not have a national

pharmacare program;

And whereas the risk of having no insurance for medicines is high among lower income Canadians which includes

the service industry, precarious working and seasonal workers;

And whereas studies show that adding a national pharmacare program to our national health care system would

lower costs to businesses by over $8 billion per year, providing Canadian companies competitive advantages in

international trade;

And whereas recent research confirms that these gains can be achieved with little or no increase in public

investment;

And whereas local government expenses for employee benefits would be significantly reduced by a national

pharmacare program;

And whereas a national prescription drug formulary would support better quality prescribing, including reducing

dangerous and inappropriate prescribing to Canadian seniors;

And whereas a national pharmacare plan is sound policy, both economically and socially, and the City of Vancouver

expresses its support for the creation of a national pharmacare program as an extension of Canadian Medicare, since

health and economic studies now show that such as policy would improve health in municipalities, give local

businesses a competitive advantage in the global marketplace and lower costs for municipal government on

taxpayers:

67

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of British Columbia to work with the other provinces and

territories and the federal government to develop and implement a national pharmacare program.


B115 Accessible Birth Control Invermere

Whereas a study from the University of Ottawa completed in 2014, concludes that 40% of pregnancies in Canada are

either unplanned, which is mis-timed, or unwanted, compared to significantly lower rates in European countries (for

example, France has 10.3% and Finland with a low of 4.7% as cited by Ralph Ulrich, Population Reference Bureau),

partially attributed to publicly funded birth control;

And whereas unwanted pregnancies primarily effect low income and marginalized women, citing The Option for

Sexual Health publication of “Universal Access to Publicly Funded Birth Control in British Columbia”, it is known that

every dollar spent on publicly funded birth control, results in an eleven dollar savings to the social system in the long

term:

Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM request the Government of British Columbia to investigate a model of publicly

funded birth control similar to those offered in European countries.


B116 Fire Insurance for Rural BC Homeowners Central Kootenay RD

Whereas the Union of BC Municipalities passed a resolution at its 2014 meeting requesting the Province of British

Columbia to immediately request ICBC to offer house insurance to BC residents to ensure a competitive option and

recommended referral of the same to the insurance industry to address:

Therefore be it resolved that if the Insurance Corporation of BC and the Insurance Bureau of Canada do not provide

constructive solutions and significant relief with respect to the insurance issues facing rural BC homeowners by the

end of August 2015, that UBCM formally request the Municipal Insurance Association of BC to investigate the

actuarial viability and feasibility of providing home insurance to BC residents with a report back to the UBCM meeting

in 2016.


B117 Assisted Living Support for Challenged Adults Langley City

Whereas the Province, the Metro Vancouver Region, and local governments are committed to providing affordable

and accommodating assisted living for challenged adult citizens of their communities with the primary subsidy

funding mandate being borne by the Province;

And whereas the Province has a narrow interpretation of allowable housing parameters eligible for financial

assistance that preclude new initiatives to encourage independent living and integration within owned market

housing;

Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Housing be requested to review the parameters of financial assistance to

challenged adults and to consider funding affordable, market integrated, independent or paired accommodation.


68

B118 Annualized Earnings Exemption Maple Ridge

Whereas income exemptions are beneficial to citizens receiving disability assistance to allow them to maintain

greater independence;

And whereas individuals without the capacity to manage their finances within the current Annualized Earnings

Exemption program might risk the loss of supports including income and housing:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government provide a choice based on an individual’s

need or capacity to manage either monthly or annual deductions to ensure that there is no disruption of income

supports or housing.


B119 Home Renovation Tax Credits Saanich

Whereas the Quebec government has recently announced a new tax credit to encourage home renovations, and the

Official Community Plan of Saanich and of municipalities across British Columbia and Canada recognize the

importance of home renovations, housing variety, affordability, and adaptability in their communities’ quality of life,

health, sustainability and economy;

And whereas housing renovations are recognized to help seniors stay at home, help the special needs of a family

member or convert a house to an intergenerational home, and create skilled employment for young people, and the

use of refundable tax credits for renovations is known to boost energy efficiency, local economies and reduce off-

permit renovations:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the governments of the Province of British Columbia and Canada to create

new tax credit programs for consumers to help encourage home renovations.


B120 Divestment of Fossil Fuel Related Investments in the Municipal Pension Plan Esquimalt

Whereas municipal employer pension funds are invested with the Municipal Pension Plan, which directly manages

billions of dollars in investment funds across British Columbia;

And whereas fossil fuel investments carry numerous risks, including economic risk to market value of fossil fuel

companies based on stranded assets and increased worldwide transition to renewable energy sources, making these

investments worthy of re-evaluation for the long-term financial sustainability of municipal pensions and holdings:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request a report from the Municipal Pension Plan detailing the percentage and

dollar amount of investments currently held in fossil fuel-related companies or investment products, and the

anticipated effects from implementing a plan to divest those assets over the next five, ten, and fifteen years.


B121 Downloaded Building Codes Saanich

Whereas recent changes to the BC Building Code impose national regulations from applicable larger buildings to

smaller two-storey homes, with examples including exterior rain screens, energy efficiency and seismic engineering,

and the Victoria Residential Builders Association reports continuing to layer these and other regulations on new

homes will lead to the extinction of affordable housing for the average British Columbia family;

69

And whereas affordable new housing and in particular affordable new work force housing is a key component to our

municipal economic vibrancy and sustainability:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the governments of the Province of British Columbia and Canada to

undertake a review, by independent third parties, of the appropriateness of provisions of the National Building Code

on two-storey homes under 2,000 square feet, and the imposition of this on housing affordability.


B122 Payday Loan Regulations Burnaby

Whereas payday loan lending can place users in a negative cycle of continuing indebtedness;

And whereas local governments are concerned about the impacts of payday loan lending on residents and the

economic vibrancy of our communities:

Therefore be it resolved that the Union of BC Municipalities call on the provincial government to amend the Payday

Loans Regulation section of the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, to include lowering of the

maximum fee percentage and interest rates as well as requiring payday lenders to offer installment-based

repayment options;

And be it further resolved that the applicable legislation be amended to prohibit the issuing of more than one loan in

the same week to the same applicant from any lender.


Por t Met ro Vancouver Cru ise Draw

Duncan Wilson, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility with Port Metro Vancouver presented the Alaskan

cruise prize to Councillor Corisa Bell from the City of Maple Ridge.

Ins ta l la t ion o f P res ident-E lec t At 10:45 a.m., Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, UBCM Past President introduced the new President-Elect, Chair Al Richmond

from the Cariboo Regional District.

Address by the Honourab le Chr is ty C la rk , P remier o f Br i t i sh Co lumbia

At 11:00 a.m., Councillor Sav Dhaliwal introduced Premier Clark, who then addressed the delegates. Following the

Premier’s address, Chair Al Richmond thanked Premier Clark. Premier Clark’s address is annexed to these Minutes

as Appendix D.

Convent ion C los ing Chair Al Richmond closed the Convention. The Convention was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

Certified Correct

Gary MacIsaac

Executive Director

70

Appendices

Address by Councillor Sav Dhaliwal APPENDIX A

UBCM President

Greet ing

It is an honour to address you this morning with an overview of UBCM’s work.

We have provided a “common voice” for BC local governments 110 years. I am pleased to report that once again this

year every local government and First Nation in the membership has renewed with UBCM. I want to thank you for

your support and assure you that we will continue to work diligently on behalf of your community to achieve gains

that benefit us all.

Our membership also continues to grow. It is my pleasure this morning to introduce our newest member, the Huu-

ay-aht First Nations, which was welcomed into membership this past Sunday. Joining us today are Elected

Councillors John Jack, Trevor Cootes, Connie Waddell, along with Andy Daniel, Director of Government Service—

please give them a warm UBCM welcome.

The role of the President provides many opportunities for growth. Among these, the Area Association meetings and

elected leader forums were a real highlight for me. I learned much about the issues that are unique to our

communities and regions, and I am thankful for the hospitality that I received in all parts of the Province.

No one can undertake the travel schedule of the President without great support at home, and that was also the case

for me.

Several of our past presidents that continue to hold office are also with us. I have already introduced Rhona Martin

and Jim Abram who currently serve on our Executive, but I also want to acknowledge John Ranta, Harry Nyce, Hans

Cunningham, and Pat Wallace—please stand—it is good to have you with us today.

Leadersh ip

One of the things that consistently impresses my about the work of Councils and Boards around the province is our

willingness to step up to address issues of all sizes and complexity.

We all know the challenges related to dealing with issues that have overlapping jurisdictions. We also know that

whenever other levels of government withdraw services, our citizens often turn to us looking for assistance, support

and action.

There are times of course when we have to say no to a particular issue, but more often than not, we rollup our

shirtsleeves to see what can be done. Sometimes that means we need to pressure other levels of government to step

up. In other instances we may decide to get involved more directly by providing a service that falls outside the

typical basket of services local governments provide.

The issues are different from community to community. But what remains constant is the responsiveness of BC

councils and boards to the expressed needs of our communities. That is something that I see again and again. I want

to begin today by saying how much I appreciate your continuing commitment to address the challenges that come to

your Council and Board tables.

71

Expense L imi ts

My comments today will focus on high-level issues that broadly impact our membership, starting with election

expense limits.

I presented to the Special Committee on Local Election Expense Limits earlier this year. My comments were based on

principles that had been developed through the Joint Local Elections Task Force.

The Special Committee released their report in June. I was glad to see that their recommendations aligned with the

positions advanced by UBCM:

• Differing spending models based on community size;

• Higher expense limits for mayoral candidates;

• Expense limits for third party advertisers; and

• A built in escalator for inflation.

What we are hearing anecdotally is the Special Committee struck the right balance with the recommendations and

we look forward to seeing legislation introduced.

New Bu i ld ing Canada

Another issue that we have been tracking is the New Building Canada Fund.

The program has a $900 million Provincial – Territorial component that is intended for national, provincial and local

priorities.

In April UBCM met with Ministers and legislative members from all parties to say that there should be a dedicated

portion of funds from this component that flows to assets owned by local government. As yet we have not been able

to secure a commitment from the province on this point.

My hunch is that if there was good news for local governments, we would have heard more than we have. I would

encourage members to keep this in mind as you are meeting with the province over the coming days to discuss

matters of infrastructure.

I am also glad to see that North Cowichan has brought forward a resolution on this topic for us to consider. It will be

the first resolution considered in our session later this morning.

St rong F isca l Fu tures

Two years ago at Convention, delegates unanimously endorsed a report on the state of local government finance in

BC. This report, Strong Fiscal Futures, indicated that while our system is currently sound, there are looming

pressures that threaten to make the property tax unaffordable for some British Columbians.

We have approached the Province several times with a request to enter into a process with UBCM to work through

the framework provided in the report. In our view, we are more likely to make effective changes when we look at the

finance system as a whole.

The province has not yet indicated they are ready to discuss Strong Fiscal Futures. I want you to know though that

UBCM remains committed to this framework and that we will continue to make the case for a comprehensive look at

the issue of local government finance.

72

AGLG

Moving on, I want to make a confession: I have never been a big fan of the provincial legislative channel. Generally,

if I am looking for something to watch, SportsChannel or CBC seems to always win out.

That said, there was a period back in the spring as the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development was

being questioned daily about the Auditor General for Local Government, when I became a regular viewer of the

legislative channel.

There have been several UBCM communications to you on the issue of the Auditor General for Local Government, or

the AGLG. After the Province initiated an independent review that did not require any consultation with local

government, UBCM did its own report. Our survey of communities that had been audited identified some things that

were missed in the independent review, including a serious lack of local government knowledge in the AGLG office.

A provincial policy session yesterday explored the changes that are underway to improve the office. I will not cover

that ground again, but I am glad to see that the recommendations from both the independent review and UBCM’s

report appear to be leading to real change.

Work is underway to increase the training of AGLG staff regarding local government operations. Going forward, the

AGLG will also adjust the number of reports to the staffing available. Steps are also being taken reduce an over

reliance on external contractors and exclusively use AGLG staff for fieldwork. These steps are focused on the right

issues and should help to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and economy of the office.

Considerable credit for the actions to date is due to Acting Auditor General for Local Government Mr. Arn van Iersel,

and the Audit Council. Together they have taken matter in hand and have made some practical improvements.

What remains a concern though is that despite UBCM’s willingness to support improvements to this office through

the difficult months this Spring, the Ministry did not consult on its policy development for the legislative

improvements that will likely be introduced this fall.

Those who were in office back in 2011 will recall that’s exactly what happened when the office of the AGLG was

created. It was only late in the process and after an intervention by Premier Clark that the Ministry began to really

work with UBCM on the legislation.

For an office the exercises an oversight function over every local government in BC, there needs to be a higher

standard of consultation.

Early in his new mandate, Minister Fassbender met with me and other members of Executive, and we had a chance

to discuss the handling of this file. I have appreciated his level of engagement, and hope that under his direction this

kind of approach will become a thing of the past.

Co l labora t ion Underway

Setting aside the AGLG, I would like to conclude today by touching on some of the many examples where productive,

collaborative work underway between the Province and UBCM. Work in these areas has included genuine

consultation and real input from local government. To name just a few:

• UBCM has been working with the Ministry of Environment for several years on a framework for land based

spill preparedness and response. Local government input has been solicited and provided, and we look

forward to further engagement as regulations and legislation are developed.

73

• Earlier this week Minister Lake announced funding for small water systems, indicating a provincial

commitment to move forward on a longstanding issue for local government and some key recommendations

that have been provided by UBCM.

• On Monday we renewed an MOU with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation that affirms the

role of local governments in negotiations both in and outside of the treaty process. We have a well-

established working relationship with MARR at a staff and Ministerial level.

• The Strategic Wildfire program—which delivers funding to communities to mitigate the risk of wildfire in

the interface around communities—has been jointly administered for nearly a decade by a working group

that includes staff from the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural

Resource Operations and UBCM.

I would also point to the careful consultation that has taken place over several years with the Ministry of Community,

Sport and Cultural Development on elections expense legislation.

The province has also been a solid partner with regard to the Community-to-Community Forum, which brings

together First Nations and Local governments to discuss common issues. When the federal government decided to

withdraw support for this program last year, it would have been easy for the province to walk away. But thanks to

good working relations, provincial funding was secured and the program continues.

I could go on. The point I want to make is that if the collaborative approach is working well in all of these areas, we

can make it work in other areas too.

As we begin anew with a new Minister and new executive staff leadership in the Ministry of Community, Sport and

Cultural Development, I am hopeful that we will continue to build on the respectful level of engagement that we have

seen in these early days.

FCM

Before I conclude, I want to draw your attention to the address from Raymond Louie, Vancouver Councillor and

President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, will be delivering later today.

FCM has developed an advanced advocacy approach for the federal election. They are working hard to get traction

on key issues like public transit and commute times; housing affordability and local infrastructure. He will be

speaking later today following lunch—I encourage us all to make it back here in time to hear what he has to say.

There will also be a special workshop on election advocacy on Thursday—don’t miss it.

Conc lud ing Remarks

We have a great Convention ahead of us. As always we have a wide range of resolutions to consider. I want to thank

all of the local governments that have prepared resolutions and have come to speak to them and put them before

assembly. This is democracy in action, and I look forward to hearing the deliberations.

Thank you for your attention this morning; I wish you all the best through the remainder of our week together.

74

Address by Councillor Raymond Louie APPENDIX B

FCM President

Thank you very much.

Thank you for that kind introduction.

My friends … it’s good to be home.

My responsibilities as President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities take me right across this beautiful

country.

But there’s always something special about being back here in Vancouver … in British Columbia.

It’s not just because I’m from here. It’s because BC is home to some of the most innovative municipalities in the

entire country.

Of course, those municipalities are made even stronger thanks to the remarkable leadership of UBCM.

Close Bond Be tween FCM, UBCM

I’m so proud of the close bond our organizations share.

As the national voice for municipalities of all sizes, FCM unites and empowers local communities with innovative

solutions to national challenges.

Our programs deliver results on issues that matter to Canadians.

But of course, we couldn’t do it alone.

FCM works alongside UBCM and 188 BC municipalities, representing an incredible 99.8 per cent of the province’s

population.

In fact, more than a dozen of our Board and committee members are from right here in British Columbia ... including

President Sav Dhaliwal and First Vice-President Al Richmond.

Many of them are with us here today.

With the federal election now in full swing, that work—our work together—is even more vital.

Today I’d like to talk to you about what FCM is doing to play a positive, impactful role in this election … and how we

can continue to work together to put local issues at the heart of this national campaign.

Loca l Impor tance o f E lec t ion , FCM Hav ing a Rea l Impact

Despite Canada’s massive size, our local communities have more in common than we realize.

It’s those shared aspirations and challenges that make this election so important. For all of you—whether you’re

from a city, a rural town, or a remote community—this campaign will have a very real impact on how you deliver on

your mandate.

This election presents a vital opportunity to move the municipal agenda forward … and to help elect a government

that’s ready to partner with local governments.

We need to be active. We need to be united. We need to be ready.

75

FCM has been preparing for months and our election strategy is having a real impact.

We’ve already been successful at convincing key decision-makers in each of the major federal parties that issues

like infrastructure, transit and housing matter to Canadians … and to their hopes of getting elected.

The fact is, any party without a plan for our local communities is a party without a plan for jobs, the economy and

the environment. That’s why all four major federal parties have responded—fully or in part—to the issues that FCM

has been putting forward in this campaign.

Not only that, all four party leaders have repeatedly named municipalities as vital partners they are keen to work

with, should they get elected.

Our message—and our issues—are resonating on the campaign trail.

That’s good news for communities.

And it’s good news for Canadians.

T ime to Ramp up Act ion , BC i s V i ta l to the E lec t ion

With less than a month to go, we’re now entering the critical final stage of this election.

FCM is ready to ramp up our efforts to keep local issues front-and-centre.

But to keep that momentum going, we need all of you.

There’s simply too much at stake for BC—and for all of Canada—for any one of us not to be engaged.

With an unprecedented three-way national race, BC is going to be a key battleground.

All four major parties are targeting BC in a big way.

In fact, this province could be the one to tip the balance and help decide who takes up residence in 24 Sussex on

October 19. For the hard-working Canadians who call our cities, towns and villages home, this election isn’t about

abstract ideas.

It’s about their local, day-to-day realities.

Long daily commutes… high housing costs… clean water.

That’s why our voice matters in this campaign.

Use FCM Too ls , S t rength o f our Un i ted Vo ice

As leaders in your communities, we’re counting on you to be vocal advocates for municipalities throughout the

campaign.

To help you do that, FCM has put together some fantastic features on our campaign websites…citiescan.ca and

hometownproud.fcm.ca

There you’ll find our Party Platform Tracker, which keep tabs on where each party stands on the issues that impact

our hometowns. What are the parties’ positions on updating wastewater infrastructure, cutting greenhouse gases

and building modern transit systems?

How do they stack up against FCM’s Roadmap for Strong Cities and Communities, and our Action Plan for a Strong

Rural Canada?

76

We’re letting voters know so they can let their candidates know if their plan isn’t good enough.

You’ll also find our Election Toolkit, a list of actions you can take to help shine the spotlight on local issues—

everything from key messaging to organizing a local all-candidates’ debate.

And you’ll find our #cdnmuni commitment, which is a promise we’re asking every candidate to sign to make local

issues a priority.

I’m proud to say our members have been instrumental in getting the word out.

They’re reaching out in massive numbers, asking their local candidates via Twitter, Facebook and email and to make

the #cdnmuni commitment.

You can do it too—all it takes is a few minutes from your smartphone or laptop.

I can tell you that these tools are already making a difference.

So far, [multiple] candidates from every major party have signed our commitment … from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Tomorrow at 2:30pm, I’ll be leading a seminar right here at the convention on how you can use FCM’s election tools

to join your colleagues and play an active role in this election.

I encourage all of you to attend.

The more voices we have, the stronger our influence will be.

Imagine if every- single- person in this room stood united.

Organizing local debates on municipal issues in your ridings …

Encouraging local candidates to sign FCM’s #cdnmuni commitment …

Using our Election Toolkit to hold every candidate accountable.

United, our voice will be impossible to ignore.

CEDI Too lk i t and SCC

And, by the way, while I’m on the topic of exciting FCM initiatives taking place at this convention …

Tomorrow afternoon, FCM’s Community Economic Development Initiative will be hosting a panel where they’ll

release their long-awaited “Stronger Together” toolkit.

The toolkit is a fantastic resource designed to help local communities and neighbouring First Nations work together

on joint economic development.

Be sure to check it out.

And, if you haven’t already, starting this week you can register for FCM’s 2016 Sustainable Communities Conference.

This is an amazing event that brings together local sustainability leaders from across the country.

Early bird registration for the February conference is now available on our website.

Munic ipa l i t i es can He lp E lec t a S t rong Par tner in O t tawa

My friends, municipal leaders have never been more united, more engaged, and more influential. We have a strong

track record of innovation and collaboration.

77

Now more than ever, Canada needs our expertise.

There isn’t a moment to waste.

Every Canadian has a deep connection to their hometown.

And so together, in this election, we need to ensure our hometowns are front-and-centre throughout the campaign—

and on Election Day.

Because together, we can help elect a federal government that’s ready to work as equal partners with local

governments.

A government that understands when municipalities are stronger and more prosperous … Canada is stronger and

more prosperous.

Thank you very much.

78

Address by the Honourable Peter Fassbender APPENDIX C

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Thank you, Sav. One of the challenges, I know, is when you make four or five speeches at UBCM, most people say,

well I don't need to go to the main speech because I've heard it all already. Well you won't have heard everything

that I'm going to talk about today, and I'm delighted to be here.

This is truly an opportunity for me to come back to a forum that I spent many years at as an elected official in local

government. And I appreciate the opportunity to be here now as the Minister. I think the first UBCM I ever came to as

a newly elected councillor, I was nervous and I heard someone say earlier today, for newly elected officials, don't be

afraid to ask questions, to share a point of view. And I know I was reluctant in those early days, because I thought,

well I need time to learn what everything is about when it comes to local government.

But it is fresh ideas and new voices and new perspectives that are so important to every organization, and I know

across the province this last election, we had close to a third of newly elected councillor and mayors, and I think

that's a testament to people are still engaged in the election process and commitments to their community.

I do want to recognize, of course, that we're on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, the Tsleil-Waututh, and

Squamish peoples. And I said this in each of the comments that I made previous to this, that the heritage of this

province is built on our aboriginal communities and our First Nations communities, and I know that our relationship is

ever evolving. But we all have the same goal in mind, and when we had the All Chiefs meetings just recently, we

talked about the future of the province and how that impacted our First Nations communities, and I want to celebrate

the work that is being done in communities across this province by you, in developing relationships with our First

Nations. Because it is so critical to the future of our province.

I also want to recognize my colleague, Minister Coralee Oakes, who is over here. Coralee is a very passionate person

that I met a few years ago, now. And I know she dedicated her efforts in this role, in this ministry, and I want to

applaud her for her efforts. I want to applaud her for her passion and her commitment to the province of British

Columbia and the service she's given up until now and that she will in the future. So Coralee, thank you for

everything that you did, as well.

And I have a number of other colleagues in the room that I know equally work as hard, and I'm not going to try and

introduce them all, because I may have missed some. But I know Minister Stephanie Cadieux is here. I know that her

Parliamentary Secretary, Jane Thornthwaite, is here. I have my Parliamentary Secretary, Linda Reimer, is sitting over

here. And all of us, as all of you, do the best that we can to serve our communities and to serve our province. And

that indeed is a calling that none of us should take for granted.

And also I want to thank all of the families of all of the people in this room who are elected, who have served their

communities, and continue to serve, because without the support of our families, and I know with my wife Charlene,

over the years that I've been involved in local government, the sacrifices that my family made to allow me to do that,

I know, and President Sav, I know you spoke of this earlier. It is important for us, who love this job, and who work

hard, to recognize the contribution that our families make to that, and I want to celebrate that as well.

I also want to recognize two other individuals in my ministry. I'm the new minister, and when I was appointed, I had

the pleasure of meeting a new Deputy Minister to this ministry, Jacquie Dawes, who is sitting back there. Jacquie,

you can stand up and wave. And with her is the new ADM of local government, Tara Faganello, and if you can

pronounce her name after my speech, we'll look at a grant for you, at least. And I said that once already, people

have tried to take me up on it.

79

I want you to know that I am so proud to have a team in the ministry that we do, who work day in and day out, don't

often get the recognition, but interact with local governments every day, and help them sort through government and

some of the processes that they need. And you know, our role in the ministry is really simple. It is to help people, to

provide the tools that are necessary. When we have the resources that we can help to provide funds, whether it is in

the sport community or in the arts and culture community, or for local governments, as you struggle with your fiscal

challenges. I know the team is dedicated to doing that.

You know, the theme of UBCM this year, when I saw it, Excellence in Action, really speaks to what I've seen in all of

the years that I've been involved. We have, at the local community level, people who work in our departments, in our

communities, that strive to provide excellent service to their elected officials, to their communities, to our residents.

And I think this theme celebrates that excellence in action. It's not about striving for a goal, it is celebrating a goal

that is already being achieved day in and day out, in communities. And you never say you've reached the pinnacle of

that, because we're always striving for better. And I think a lot of the workshops and the comments that are being

made are about looking for how do we do things better in the future?

All of you know, as I do, whether it's a federal initiative, a provincial, or a local government, there's only one

taxpayer. We all hear about taxpayers saying, how much more can we be asked to do? And that is a huge challenge

for us, as we try and struggle with all of the fiscal realities that we have. But I can assure you that Premier Clark, my

colleagues around the cabinet table, and in our caucus, and the opposition party, we hold ourselves accountable for

ensuring that we do the best we can, and we do it in the most efficient and effective way that we can.

And part of that, as you know, back in 2013, when the Office of the Auditor General for Local Government was talked

about, and I was on the UBCM Executive at that time, and I know there were a lot of questions by local governments

about what was the purpose of this office, and aren't local governments doing a good job? Don't they already keep

that fiscal environment in mind? And it wasn't a question of whether or not that is being done, but how can we work

together to do better?

I would be remiss if I stood up here and said we did a great job out of the gate. There were challenges. Minister

Oakes, the Premier, all of us, recognize that the start up and the first opportunities within that office, were fraught

with some challenges. But it was a unique approach in this country, and it was one that we believed that we could

do what was right and best for the communities and for the province and the taxpayers.

It wasn't a successful start. But we did learn. And I want you to know is the minister who is now taking over this

responsibility, that what we learned has started to be implemented. You've heard that already. The work that Arn van

Iersel has done to go through the reports the independent report we did, the report that I've received from UBCM, we

have already started to implement measures to ensure that some of the things that were challenges can be

overcome by working hard together, and redefining the future of that office and its role in partnership with local

governments.

And I use that partnership very clearly. And intentionally. Because the office's job is to work with you. Not to be

looking for what's wrong, but helping to identify where the opportunities are, so that we can all move together and

forward in a positive fashion. That is my commitment, it's the government's commitment, and I believe we will

achieve that together.

80

When I met with outgoing president Sav and incoming president Al Richmond in my office shortly after I was

appointed, and I had received the report, I said I will guarantee you that the recommendations in it are being looked

at by myself and our ministry and the office, and whatever we do moving forward, we'll take into consideration a

couple of key things. And those key things are being sensitive to local governments and their needs in how we move

forward.

Number two, creating an environment of two-way communication with the office and with the province to ensure that

we find those opportunities, those positive ways that we can work together.

And the third thing was in being sensitive, having an opportunity for local government nuances to be understood by

the office and the people that serve in that office. So one of the things that has been happening is we've been

searching for a replacement for the Auditor General for Local Government. And I am delighted today to announce that

Mr. Gordon Ruth is the new appointee as the AGLG.

Gordon Ruth is currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Certification and Operations for the Professional

Accountants of British Columbia. Those of you that have been in local government back to the GVRD days will know

Gordon because he served the GVRD, and his last post with the GVRD, now Metro Vancouver, was the CFO. And he

had a distinguished career in that role, and he has proven himself as #1, understanding what is appropriate when it

comes to performance reviews and so on, but he also understands local government. And when you meet him, you

will clearly see that he understands what his role as the new Auditor General is, and I know that he is going to

provide the communication and the dialogue between local governments and build relationship that is positive. And

I'm delighted that he's accepted that position.

Now details of his credentials will be on the AGLG website when you walk out of here, so you can read about all of

his other accomplishments, but I am absolutely confident that the Audit Committee and their interviews with him,

and I had the opportunity to meet him before making this appointment, I can assure you that the issues that we had

in the past will definitely not be the issues of the future, with a man of his calibre in that position.

President Sav and incoming President Richmond, I want you to know that I also read the report, and one of the

issues understanding local government and sensitivity was one of the key issues that had been brought forward in

the research that you did with members. So I'm also pleased to announce today that in the next few weeks, I'll be

announcing two additional appointments to the Audit Council of two individuals who have previously held elected

positions as local government leaders to the audit council to provide that extra dimension of sensitivity and

communication and relationship with local governments, because I believe that will help the Audit Council to fulfill its

function and its responsibilities in working with the Auditor General.

And you know, I want you to know that in spite of some of the challenges, a lot of good work took place under Arn

van Iersel's leadership as an Interim AGLG. And I'm not going to go through the list of all of the accomplishments,

but I also know that just today, that Comox Valley Regional District report was released, and I saw the highlights of

that report earlier this morning, and I can tell you it is a classic example of a review that has found what is working

well and where opportunities for additional growth has been identified. And to me, that's what it's all about. And

that's why excellence in action is being celebrated, even by the reports that are coming out of the AGLG's office.

You know, we live in a great province. We've got great communities and I have said this in the last couple of days to

many of you. That federal policy, provincial policy, find their way to local communities where the rubber really meets

the road. And I know, and Linda Reid, our Speaker, is here, and she and I talked about her community of Richmond.

And I know that communities and volunteers in communities are the lifeblood of us being able to accomplish the

things that we, as elected officials, want to do.

81

And in the province, along with UBCM, we like to celebrate some of those things that are done in our community, and

sometimes I think people think about awards, and they say, do they really have a value? And I absolutely believe that

by recognizing people at your local council meetings, in community volunteer organizations, is important. But I also

believe that you as locally elected officials can help us by bringing names forward for some of the provincial

recognition that we do. And many of you know that the Medal of Good Citizenship is being promoted. The deadline is

fast approaching, and I would encourage you not to say, well somebody else will nominate someone. Nominate

individuals for it who you know are making a difference in your community. And honouring them that way as I know I

was honoured for some of the volunteer work that I did, it means a lot. Because most volunteers don't do it for

recognition. They do it because they believe in the term, it's better to give than it is to receive. But I think we, as

people who see these individuals day in and day out, should nominate them and recognize them and provide them

with the thanks that we need to give them for the work that they do.

I also know that UBCM, in terms of all of the Community Excellence awards, and you've heard about many of them,

more to come at the convention here, and again what's recognized there is communities that do the hard work,

elected officials and their staff that work very hard to provide that extra opportunity to help their citizens and engage

their citizens.

And I know the town of Smithers received the award for their Let's Talk initiative. And when I heard about this, I was

so impressed, because I remember when I was the mayor and we had our budget sessions, and we used to have

open houses, and the staff and councillors outnumbered the public that came to those meetings. Either they were

disinterested, or felt that it wasn't something that they would have any opportunity to make a difference with. And

they do. So what did the community do? Well they put the Let's Talk initiative together, and they've had great

success in getting the community to come out and talk to their council and to their staff about what's going on in

their great community, and I know they've been recognized for that, and I applaud them for that effort as well.

As government, and often in these settings, we talk about partnerships, and it's a word that is easily used. But I said

it in some of my other comments. Partnerships are not a one-way street. They're a two-way street. Partnerships talk

about a quality of representation. And I know that we, as the Government of British Columbia under the leadership of

our Premier Christy Clark, the members of cabinet, and our caucus, want to do everything we can to build those

partnerships throughout the province in every single community. And I know that that effort is one that has already

borne quite a bit of fruit.

When you think about the Peace River Agreement that we reached, and I was just recently in Fort St. John and I

know, in talking with the Mayor of Fort St. John and Dawson Creek and the other people in the Peace River, it was

clear it was not an easy process. There wasn't total agreement all the time about how to get there, but at the end of

the day, the province and those communities work together, and they came up with an agreement that is going to

take us into the future. The same thing with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Initiative, where the

government has put money on the table to help with interns and to help with structuring that moving forward, so that

we can look at the implementation of a 20-year infrastructure program, development program, in that area.

The Northwest, I just met with all of the communities from the Northwest the other day. And we are moving forward

in our discussions about the future of that area as it comes to economic development, and the opportunities we

have, which are generational, in the LNG sector. But not just LNG. The mining industry. The forest industry. All of

those industries that contribute to the future of this great province.

82

So we're looking at all of those things. We're working with the federal government in terms of the infrastructure

funding and the Build Canada funds. And as was said about FCM's efforts, which we appreciate, we know clearly

that one of our jobs as the provincial government, along with you as UBCM and individual local governments, is to

work with our federal partners to find every bit of resource we can. To help us to deal with the infrastructure

challenges that we have.

There's lots of work to do, there's more dialogue we as the province will have with UBCM, and President Sav in his

speech this morning talked about what was felt to be a lack of consultation on some of those issues. And while I

don't have all the answers, and I don't have all of the elements that we need to work on, I will say this. We will be

collaborating. We will be communicating. We will be working together, because we all care about one thing. And

that's the future of British Columbia. That's my commitment on behalf of the Premier, the Ministers, and I know that

while we may have challenges along the way, as long as we're talking to each other, and respect each other's roles

and contributions, we can find solutions and that is indeed what we are all about.

You know, issues like the gas tax and the recent signing of the next ten years are all demonstrations of FCM, UBCM,

the Province of British Columbia, the federal government, working together in the interest of every single community.

There's another initiative that we've done with my colleague Minister Teresa Wat that you need to go to the forum

next door and to all of the booths, and find out about the new initiative that she and her ministry have worked very

hard on, and that is to help every single community in this province reach out around the world to the markets that

are interested in investing in British Columbia. The profiles for every single community in British Columbia are on

there. We urge you to take a look at it. We urge you to work with the ministry to update that, as new initiatives come

into your community. And this tool was developed over 18 months with support from all of you and your staff and the

other ministries, and it is there to reach out and to say no matter where in the province of British Columbia, you want

to look for opportunities? You can find them, you can get the profiles of the community, you can find out what's

already going on, and you can find out where the opportunities are for you, as an investor, in every single corner of

British Columbia. And Minister Wat and her team have worked very hard to develop this tool for you. So please,

whatever you do, take advantage of it, use it, and I know you will be delighted with what it can do for you and your

community.

There's lots of other things that we've done over the years together. I do want to touch on one thing. I said

yesterday, and I'll say it today, I am the Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, with a little add-on

called TransLink. And I take that seriously. Because this ministry is diverse, my first responsibility is to work with all

of you in Community, and one of those is Metro Vancouver, when it comes to transportation. I want to say that

Minister Stone has worked very hard to get us to where we are today. Do we have all the answers? No we don't. Do

we have challenges? Yes we do.

But I commit to working with the mayors at the mayors council, the board of directors, who are appointed by the

mayors, and the first step I did, soon after I was given this responsibility, was to appoint two individuals who I

believe bring tremendous experience and insight from a regional point of view, as the government representatives at

that table at the board, which we've never had before, and that is a clear statement on behalf of our government that

we are committed to rolling up our sleeves and working with the regions in our shared, and separate,

responsibilities, to find a solution.

And I know that that is going to be challenging. I've been at the table. I know some of the challenges that are there,

but I welcome the opportunity to demonstrate to the mayors and to the citizens of Metro Vancouver that we need to

restore the confidence in the organization and the work that it does, with one goal. And that is again to build a

83

healthy region, of which transportation is one of the keys. And that is my commitment to the mayors of Metro

Vancouver, to the people of the region, and to the province. Because while Metro Vancouver has its unique needs, it

is part of British Columbia, and we need to integrate transportation throughout the province, to the benefit of every

region in the province, and that is our commitment, and I know Minister Stone shares that commitment, and we're

going to work together to do that.

The last thing I'm going to say, because there's so many things. I love this forum, I love the opportunities to meet.

But I know Premier Clark and Minister Coleman have worked so hard on the LNG and the future of the economic

growth as it relates to that industry. But you need to know that every other minister around the cabinet table:

Minister Rustad, Minister Thomson, Minister Letnick, Minister Lake, we all have one thing in mind. Is how can we

ensure the future health, prosperity of every community in this province?

And that is not an easy task, as you all know, because as I said, it happens on the streets and the byways of your

communities. But we need to keep our eye on the one ball. British Columbia is going to lead Canada in economic

development for the future of our children and grandchildren, and that is our goal, and I know it's your goal, and

we're going to get there together.

And I know Minister Bond has worked so hard on the Skills and Jobs Blueprint, to provide opportunities for our young

people. To get the skills and training they need for real jobs in real communities day in and day out, and I applaud

the work that she has done. We're now working on new initiatives as deals with the creative economy, and looking at

the advancement of technology in this province, which doesn't just happen in downtown Vancouver. I've seen it in

communities where people have great careers and great opportunities for new technology, working in much different

environments than any of us did, as we built our careers, but I know that we are absolutely on the right track, and

together we can do it.

So ladies and gentlemen, I am absolutely humbled, honoured to be the Minister, and to work with UBCM and each

and every one of you. While I may not be perfect, I know none of us are. But what is right is we can respect each

other in the roles we play, we can work together for the future of the province of British Columbia, and I again

applaud each and every one of you for every hour, every minute, of every day, that you work to that goal.

84

Address by the Honourable Christy Clark APPENDIX D

Premier of British Columbia

I’d like to acknowledge the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people.

I want to congratulate incoming president Al Richmond. Al has done a great job at the Cariboo Regional District,

where they had a rough summer wildfire season and led their communities through them.

And I want to thank Sav Dhaliwal, from my hometown of Burnaby, for his work over the past year.

For all of you who are new, I’d like to tell you the story of a Soviet leader.

He was meeting his predecessor, who handed him two envelopes.

Open the first in your first crisis, the second in your second crisis.

A few years pass, and he has to open the first envelope.

It says “blame me for everything.” He does, and he survives the crisis.

A few years later, he needs to open the second.

It says “write two letters.”

The Ab i l i t y to Respond

Here’s a story about the year. You know I like to tell stories. It’s a true story. And I know it could be a story about

how bad things are. How things are only going to get worse.

But if I was going to do that, I would have been here yesterday morning.

People don’t want you or me to complain and despair, or tell them how bad things are.

Citizens look to leaders—for reasons to hope, optimism in the face of adversity.

They look to us for a plan to make the future better.

BC film had its best year ever.

Tourism is up almost 10% since last year.

Whistler had its best month ever in August. Parksville had 10,500 people, Tumbler Ridge, a town of 2,700, welcomed

8,000 people to the dinosaur museum.

At the same time, BC faced tough challenges.

The recent windstorm when 710,000 accounts lost power.

BC Hydro crews worked around the clock in 16-hour shifts to restore it for 99 per cent of them … in just 72 hours.

Twice as quickly as Toronto, where they had half the number of accounts to re-connect.

And then there was the wildfire season.

Ron Hovanes in Oliver, Mike Richman in Pemberton, Bruce Milne in Sechelt, Mike Ruttan in Port Alberni, and Doug

Findlater in West Kelowna …

You did an amazing job when your communities needed you.

85

And of course, there’s Midway and Mayor Randy Kappes. Of the 500 residents in your village, 240 of them

volunteered … and they fed 650 people.

That’s the definition of why local leadership matters.

In Rock Creek and Pemberton, firefighters said to me: “Christy, the fire is behaving and moving in ways I’ve never

seen before.”

It’s going to get worse according to the National Research Council in the US …

Every degree the average temperature goes up will quadruple the amount of land that will burn in western North

America.

Hopefully they’re wrong. But we can’t afford to sit on our hands.

New Min is t ry

That’s why, in Naomi Yamamoto, we have the only Minister in Canada with that sole responsibility.

She will be reaching out to work with you on wildfire preparation, windstorm response, and earthquakes.

We’re better prepared already, from more resources for EMBC and over $17 billion in seismic infrastructure

upgrades …

But there’s more to do.

Next June, EMBC will work with internal and external agencies in the largest disaster drill in BC history …

And to make sure we protect all 4.6 million British Columbians—we need to make sure we’re working together—not

at cross-purposes.

It’s not acceptable that the actions of a few can cause so much damage.

The careless smoker that starts a wildfire, campers who ignore campfire bans, or drones getting in the way of

firefighting …

That’s why I asked Mike Morris to consider tougher penalties for starting fires or breaking campfire bans … and we

are looking at ways to regulate drones.

All of this is about planning for the long-term.

That’s our job. That’s what leadership is.

If the worst happens, none of our citizens will be looking to us to complain about how bad it is.

They will be looking to us for reasons to hope.

They expect us to be ready.

So I have five announcements today I will be sharing with you in a moment.

They’re all about looking far down the road.

Planning in good times …

Doing the work now to protect and secure our communities, our prosperity …

86

The Hard Work

British Columbians want governments that live within its means, so that when times are tough…

We can still look after them.

So here’s what that means for us.

Control spending, keep government small, shave down our debt.

The first step was getting BC out of deficit. We’ve done that.

The next is to eliminate BC’s operating debt. We’ll stick to our plan, and in 4 years, we’re going to eliminate BC’s

operating debt for the first time since 1975.

Debt-free BC starts there.

But we are not losing sight of the need to make investments in our vital infrastructure.

Right now, we have more than $7 billion dollars’ worth of projects in the field. Bridges, hospitals, transit …

And then you think about what BC Hydro is doing.

Investing $2.4 billion dollars every year for the next ten years. Dams, transmission lines, distribution …

The federal politicians can talk about what they’re going to do to create jobs by investing in infrastructure …

We are doing it.

When you combine all these projects, you’re creating 150,000 jobs over 10 years. Site C alone will create 10,000

construction jobs.

I know there are some who oppose it just as passionately as I support it.

What I don’t understand are those few who lack the courage to take a position.

That’s not leadership.

Leadership is growing a diverse economy. Putting people to work.

Over 83,000 people visited the Come Home to BC booth at the Calgary Stampede alone.

Thank goodness you’re here. Thank goodness BC is ready for us to come back.

So many of them were grateful. To be reunited with their families, and go back to the communities they love.

We’re starting to see the first LNG projects starting to take shape.

Rural communities starting to thrive again.

But we can’t forget—we are outliers. In Canada, the US, and Asia … deficits, debt and a fragile economy are

clouding the future.

We are surrounded by uncertainty. And BC’s singular achievement has not happened by accident. It’s because we

have a plan.

It’s because of every hardworking British Columbian. And leaders like you.

87

In Kamloops, Peter Milobar and his council are undertaking a core review to find savings and put tax dollars to the

best possible use.

In Kitimat, nobody is more proud of the new smelter than Phil Germuth—because when he looks at it, he sees 1,000

good-paying, secure jobs.

In Victoria, Lisa Helps’ task force on economic development and prosperity is looking to find new ways to attract

investment.

Lee Brain in Prince Rupert, where in the last year, their chamber of commerce has grown by 46 per cent—new

businesses starting or moving there.

Because when those LNG workers arrive …

They’re going to buy trucks in Terrace.

They’re going to eat at the Cow Bay Café.

They’re going to pay good money to learn how to catch salmon with Silverback Fishing Adventures.

The beginning of his vision to complete the work that Charles Hayes began but never finished … because he died on

the Titanic in 1912.

TransL ink

It’s a lot of hard work. And sometimes …

The light at the end of the tunnel is still a ways away.

And while the voters said no to more sales taxes, they said they had real concerns about TransLink … but they did

not say no to better transit.

They didn’t say no to less congestion. They didn’t say no to cleaner air.

You have come together around a vision.

We support that vision, and Peter Fassbender and the Province’s new appointees to TransLink, Jim Chu and Murray

Dinwoodie are going to help us find a different way to achieve that vision.

Cr ime

The other challenge we have to tackle in our urban and growing rural centres is crime. We need to do three things.

First, we need to be tough on criminals.

Our Guns and Gangs Strategy has made headway. The number of gang-related murders has fallen, hundreds of

gangsters have been put behind bars, and more and more illegal weapons and drugs are off the streets.

But crime is like weeds growing in your backyard.

We cannot stop tending to the problem just when it looks like we have it beat.

Yes, we need people to come forward—witnesses, concerned family members, and people living in fear.

I want to echo Abbotsford’s Henry Braun on this: we need to end the culture of silence.

88

Third, we also need to be tough on the roots of crime. That means dissuading kids from joining gangs … and helping

kids in gangs find their way out.

We want to do more with you.

So today, I’m announcing $5 million over two years to build on the success of the Guns and Gangs Strategy and the

WRAP program in Surrey.

To work with you to take away a gang’s most vital resource: our children.

Rura l D iv idend

We also have work beyond urban BC.

As the global resource economy is in transition …

Some of the communities that do the heavy lifting for all the rest of us are struggling.

Tumbler Ridge, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Canal Flats.

That’s why I asked Donna Barnett to set up a Rural Advisory Council …

To think hard about how we share the wealth that comes from rural BC more fairly with the communities that create

it.

Donna and her Council have come up with the principles to guide the Rural Dividend.

So today I’m happy to announce we are committing up to $75 million over the next three years to create a new

Dividend for communities under 25,000 …

To help find new ways to develop your economy and generate opportunities for you.

Rura l Connect iv i t y

Look at the success we’ve had in tech. Companies like Amazon and Sony Digital has brought its global headquarters

here—the result of the hard work of our trade offices and our tax policy.

Victoria’s tech scene is thriving. In the Okanagan, it’s now a billion-dollar industry.

Now is the moment to start helping tech firms look at smaller centres.

But they’ll only locate in communities that have high-speed access.

In this year’s budget, we committed $10 million over the next two years to expand high-speed Internet access to all

British Columbians.

And I’m happy to give you this update today:

We are delivering. More than 70 communities will benefit from the first eight projects to be approved … starting with

projects from the Kootenays to Gold Bridge to Port Alice.

That’s a promise made, promise kept.

89

Smal l Communi ty Fund

Modern, effective infrastructure is the foundation for attracting new jobs and investment.

Peter Fassbender has met with many of you about how we can help. I’m sure he mentioned the success of the first

round of the Small Communities Fund.

It covers up to two-thirds of the cost of projects like water systems, road improvements, and green infrastructure.

Over the last two years, it got 55 projects off the ground, with a total project cost of an estimated $223 million.

So this December, it’s a pleasure to announce $90 million, provided in equal shares by the B.C. and federal

governments, will be available for application.

Wi ld f i re Prevent ion

And before I close, one more announcement.

Doug Findlater, I saw your resolution and I hear you.

We can and must protect interface communities like yours, and work to prevent wildfires across our province.

This year, we committed $5 million to removing fuel from areas close to our communities.

Today, I’m announcing another $10 million for the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative that we co-manage with

UBCM.

Applications are open right now, so get yours in to qualify for the 2016 program year.

Additionally, I’ve asked Steve Thomson to work with Mike de Jong to deliver a comprehensive forest enhancement

program with additional funding in next year’s budget.

It will focus on removing dead trees killed by the mountain pine beetle, planting new seedlings, rehabilitating

impacted wildlife habitat, and reducing the fire risk everywhere.

We need a strong federal partner for wildfire prevention and that’s why I’ve reached out for Ottawa’s support.

We need a strong federal partner and federal leadership on another matter.

The Softwood Lumber Agreement expires next month, and we have one year to reach a new agreement with the US.

When a newly-elected Prime Minister takes office, that’s my first call.

It matters for all of us, whether you live in Vancouver, Burns Lake, Nanaimo, or Surrey.

Conc lus ion

As leaders, it is our job to plan for the future.

It is our job to create reasons for hope.

To make sure we are as strong tomorrow as we are today …

Living within our means so that we are able to look after each other in times of need.

Growing a strong and diverse economy.

And most important of all … between you and me …

90

To remember, in this room …

We are stronger together.

Stronger when we work side by side … just as we do in emergencies.

Just like our tireless firefighters and Hydro workers.

Let’s keep working side by side.

Let’s continue to build healthier, safer, more prosperous communities.

Thank you.

91

APPENDIX E

Report on Attendance at the 2015 Convention

The registration for the One Hundred and Twelfth Annual Convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities

held in Vancouver, BC, September 21 – 25, 2015, was as follows:

UBCM Membership Represented

at Convention Voting

Delegates Non-voting Delegates

Partners Total

51 Cities 51 277 54 61 392

54 Districts 53 247 45 60 352

14 Towns 14 63 10 21 94

42 Villages 39 118 21 29 168

28 Regional Districts 28 146 36 40 222

7 First Nations 7 24 10 12 46

196 Members 192 875 176 223 1,274

Member Representation 98%

Others Delegates Partners Total

Federal MPs/Senators 1 0 1

Provincial Ministers & MLAs 76 12 88

Provincial/Federal Staff 240 6 246

Observers & Others 286 43 329

Sponsors 69 3 72

UBCM Staff/Contracts 48 7 55

720 71 791

92

APPENDIX F

Resolutions Not Admitted For Debate

Sec t ion C – Par t 2 Reso lu t ions

C1 Regional District Charter Nanaimo RD

C2 Expand Options for Statutory Public Notification Kelowna

C3 Provincial Funding for Police-based Victim Services Alberni-Clayoquot RD

C4 National Inquiry on Indigenous Women Quesnel

C5 Rural Inspection and Enforcement of Fire Service Act Regulations Bulkley-Nechako RD

C6 Regular System of Fire Inspections East Kootenay RD

C7 Fire Inspection in Unincorporated Areas Thompson-Nicola RD

C8 Fire Inspections and Enforcement in Unincorporated Areas Cowichan Valley RD

C9 Fire Services Act and Regulations Comox Valley RD

C10 Fire Inspections in Rural Areas Cariboo RD

C11 Provincial Transit Investment Freeze Kamloops

C12 BC Transit Service Expansion Funding Sunshine Coast RD

C13 Routine Highway Maintenance Over Pipelines Surrey

C14 Trans Mountain Expansion Project Esquimalt

C15 Independent BC Environmental Review of Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project Colwood

C16 Environmental Bill of Rights Victoria

Ladysmith

C17 Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment Saanich

C18 Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment Port Moody

C19 Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment North Saanich

C20 Review of Site C by BC Utilities Commission Hudson’s Hope

C21 Liquefied Natural Gas Siting Standards and Best Practices Skeena-Queen Charlotte RD

C22 Marine-related Emergency Response Standards Skeena-Queen Charlotte RD

C23 Oil Spill Emergency Response Coordination and Support for Local Governments Burnaby

C24 Timber Supply Vanderhoof

C25 Mental Health and Addictions Drain on Policing Resources Terrace

C26 Mental Health Central Kootenay RD

C27 Seamless Path Along the Recovery Trajectory Maple Ridge

93

C28 Increase Community Health Supports for Mental Health AVICC Executive

C29 FortisBC – Two Tiered Rates Okanagan-Similkameen RD

C30 BC Poverty Reduction Plan Surrey

C31 Homelessness Partnering Strategy Funding Criteria Change and Impact to Local Maple Ridge

Services Delivery

C32 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for First Responders Colwood

C33 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for First Responders Langford

C34 Workers Compensation Act Presumptive Clause for First Responders Esquimalt

C35 Optional Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Esquimalt

C36 Implement Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations Cariboo RD

Sect ion C – Par t 3 Reso lu t ions

C37 ICET Funding Campbell River

Strathcona RD

Port McNeill

C38 Vancouver Island Coordinated Solid Waste Strategy Campbell River

Strathcona RD

C39 Discouraging Port Metro Vancouver from Expanding on Agricultural Lands Richmond

Reso lu t ions Rece ived Af te r the Dead l ine

LR4 Federal Party Leaders’ Debate on Local Government Issues Esquimalt

LR5 Review of “Down-loaded” Building Codes Capital RD

LR6 Home Renovation Tax Credits Capital RD

LR7 Assistance to Refugees Prince George

94

APPENDIX G

Pre-Conference Study Sessions and Tours

Monday, September 21, 2015

Study Tours

8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Agriculture Study Tour

Study Sess ions

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tools, Funding and Resources

Building and Protecting Green Communities

Moving Forward with First Nations

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Marijuana: Legalization, Legislation and Access

Making the Most of the Back Country

Designing Communities for Better Health – Walking Tour

Fall$ 08 Minutes Convention - UBCM | HomeMinutes...The presentation was followed by Jim Martin, CAO...

Documents

Transcript of Fall$ 08 Minutes Convention - UBCM | HomeMinutes...The presentation was followed by Jim Martin, CAO...