Union of BC Municipalities

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program will close its open first come, first served format on January 30 due to a lack of funding. To fairly administer the remaining funds, it will reopen with an adjudicated grant process on February 2.
www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Province delays Heritage Conservation Act legislation The provincial government has announced postponement of proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) that had originally been anticipated for spring 2026. In a November 2025 report…

The Province has postponed proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act, originally expected this spring. In November, UBCM conveyed members’ overwhelming support to pause legislative development to hold face-to-face consultation.
www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Outcomes of CCBF investment in BC during 2024 UBCM has released the 2024 Outcomes Report, covering results of Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) investments in BC from January 1 to December 31, 2024. This is the first outcomes report under the...

@kamloops.ca received $5.7million from the Canada Community-Building Fund in 2024: in funded everything from the Tranquille Rd upgrades, to the Pioneer Park pathway, to the Parkcrest Gym reconstruction. Thx @ubcm.bsky.social & @fcm.ca for making this happen

www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Recurring flood risk requires sustained response Storms in southwestern British Columbia are once again placing significant strain on communities and compounding the long-term impacts of past flood events. As local governments and other service…

Storms are once again placing significant strain on BC communities and compounding the long-term impacts of past flood events. As local govs respond, we're calling for sustained funding and support to recover & invest in long-term flood risk mitigation. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

UBCM urges legislative committee to recommend against Bill M216 Private member’s bill M216 passed second reading and has been sent to the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills for review. UBCM’s submission to the committee warns…

UBCM delivered our formal submission about the Professional Reliance Act to the committee tasked with reviewing the proposed bill. Our submission urges the committee to recommend against proceeding with the bill. #bcpoli
www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

UBCM encourages local government response to Bill M216 The Professional Reliance Act bill (M216) threatens to weaken the oversight of new home construction and increase the liability risk of taxpayers

Local govs are encouraged to give feedback on private member bill M216 as it moves into committee. The bill limits local government due diligence on development proposals, instead letting professionals hired by developers to certify their own projects.

www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Members support the Province’s intent to speed up permitting, provide flexibility during disaster recovery and provide a stronger role for First Nations – but they also indicated significant concerns with the potential risks of the proposed changes.

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

Time needed for the Province to get Heritage Conservation Act right UBCM members overwhelmingly support a pause to legislative development to allow for face to face consultation.

UBCM members overwhelmingly support a pause to legislative development on the Heritage Conservation Act to allow for face-to-face consultation.
www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Did you attend UBCM's 2025 Convention? We'd love to hear your feedback. Fill out a 5-minute survey – you will be entered to win an Apple Watch! Survey closes October 15. #UBCM25 q.surveypal.com/2025-UBCM-Co...

What we hear will be reported to BC before legislative amendments are introduced.

Key dates: Survey open Oct 9-23 • Webinar for UBCM members Nov 7 • Final report published Nov 14.

UBCM to lead Heritage Conservation Act consultation The provincial government’s consultation period for over 50 proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) has been extended until November 14. UBCM has developed a process for local…

ATTN CAOs and elected officials: UBCM is leading an engagement process regarding the proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act. Calling for local governments to review the proposed changes & share feedback. #bcpoli

www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

UBCM membership adopted the 2025 Annual Report and Financial Reports at the 2025 Convention. Executive Director Gary MacIsaac presented a summary of the past year at UBCM. Read the full Annual… A year in review from UBCM's Executive Director

UBCM membership adopted the 2025 Annual Report and Financial Reports at the 2025 Convention. Executive Director Gary MacIsaac presented a summary of the past year at UBCM. #UBCM25

www.youtube.com/watch?v=13QZ...

So he wants to create a Crown corporation to get rid of governance expenses. But here are Metro's expenses. Government stuff = <1% of all costs. You miiiiiiight get 2% of cost savings, once you get rid of all the planning stuff. Maybe.

Rethinking care for those in need Julian Daly, CEO of Our Place shelter society in Victoria, discusses a strategic shift in addressing street disorder by prioritizing healthcare as the first response. Julian was a panelist on the…

Julian Daly, CEO of Our Place shelter society in Victoria, discusses a strategic shift in addressing street disorder by prioritizing healthcare as the first response. Julian was a panelist on the Disordered Downtown session earlier in the week. #UBCM25

www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

In a recent landmark ruling, the BC Supreme Court granted Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title to about 800 acres in the City of Richmond including fee simple lands. Our panel of lawyers reviewed the… Implications from the Cowichan Tribes decision

In a recent landmark ruling, the BC Supreme Court granted Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title to about 800 acres in the City of Richmond. Our panel of lawyers reviewed the case and discussed the implications for local governments across BC. #UBCM25
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vxn...

Green Party of BC's leader, Emily Lowan, addressed UBCM delegates at 2025 Convention. Green Party of BC: Emily Lowan

Newly elected leader of the Green Party of BC, Emily Lowan, addressed UBCM delegates at 2025 Convention, speaking of her vision for the province. #UBCM25

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qd_...

John Rustad, Leader of the BC Conservatives, spoke to delegates yesterday at the 2025 UBCM Convention about his priority issues for the province. #UBCM25

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0sS...

UBCM is calling on the Province to pause progress on changes to the Heritage Conservation Act until meaningful consultation can be conducted with local governments.
www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Modest growth & big challenges: the road ahead for BC’s economy This didn’t happen in the last six months, and it didn’t happen because of Donald Trump, said Daivd Williams, VP of Policy for the Business Council of BC. It’s a structural issue stemming from…

Panelists at the plenary session convened around the state of BC economics. The bottom line was that there is no quick way out of this structural financial situation. "This didn’t happen in the last six months, and it didn’t happen because of Donald Trump." #UBCM25

buff.ly/T92uNiE

EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY: @metrovancouverorg.bsky.social won for its Repair Cafes that help divert waste while creating a sense of community and adding social value.

EXCELLENCE IN ASSET MANAGEMENT: The City of Greenwood won for its asset management plan to move the community away from reactive infrastructure maintenance towards a proactive data-led practice.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE DELIVERY: The @esquimaltbc.bsky.social won for its Youth Aquatic Safety & Leadership Program that leveraged existing resources to fill a need for more lifeguards. An honourable mention went to the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako for its Cycle 16 Trail Project.

PRESIDENTS' COMMITTEE CHOICE: @saanichbc.bsky.social won for its Management Strategy and Implementation Plan that advanced asset management in the district.
EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE: The Village of Cache Creek won for its Transparent Recovery Initiative following the 2023 flood.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Community Excellence Awards! We are proud to celebrate each of you for demonstrating exemplary leadership in local government. #UBCM25

The Community Excellence Awards ceremony is underway. Thrilled to see all these nominated projects that showcase the best of local government in BC.

Dr. Daniel Vigo and Mayor Leonard Krog spoke at UBCM Convention about how involuntary care is being applied, and how it will show up in communities across the province. Involuntary care: A conversation with Dr. Vigo and Mayor Krog

“It's very clear that there are a number of people in our streets now who need involuntary care, or we're going to leave them there to die in the streets, which is what's been happening for several years now,” said @nanaimo.ca Mayor Leonard Krog. #UBCM25 youtu.be/1pEp16qiCGE

ANALYSIS | UBCM convention shows drift from 'compassion fatigue' to concern over crime and disorder | CBC News At the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, addiction, homelessness and crime have become the dominant issues. Mayors from across the province say years of provincial strategies haven’t eased pressures...

Before becoming a headline, priority issues develop for years in communities. Crime and disorder, balanced with compassion and action, is something local governments have been asking for help to address for years. #UBCM25
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Councillor Brian Frenkel, District of Vanderhoof, is leading the creation of a network for local government officials to take care of each other in a job that's increasingly polarized. Mental health network for local elected officials

Elected officials expect public scrutiny as a regular part of the job, but personal attacks, especially on social media, have increased noticeably in recent years. Some local electeds are developing a peer support network focused to help. #UBCM25 youtu.be/TXqfFp3cbqY

Rob Shaw: Mayors decry crime, homelessness, street disorder on day one of UBCM Municipal politicians used the first day of the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria to push the B.C. government to do more to curb ongoing street disorder in their downtown cores,…

Street disorder is a priority topic at UBCM this week. Local governments are looking for help to support those in need while balancing safety and access to public spaces. #UBCM25 cheknews.ca/rob-shaw-may...