Federal government approves

decriminalization changes

The federal government has approved the Province of BC’s request to further control consumption of illicit drugs in public spaces. The change took place immediately as of May 7, 2024. Possession of small amounts of illicit drugs is still permitted.

Highlights from UBCM Executive’s April meeting

The UBCM Executive held its quarterly board and committee meetings in Victoria over April 24-26 in conjunction with its 2024 Advocacy Days. In addition to sharing UBCM’s advocacy priorities with the Premier, Ministers and MLAs, all Committees convened and Executive members met with Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs as part of the Friday board meeting.

Deadline for Community Excellence Awards nominations is May 17

The Community Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate UBCM member First Nations, regional districts, and local governments that have implemented projects or programs that go above and beyond in meeting the purposes of local government in BC. The awards are intended to showcase outstanding initiatives and share them with other members to implement in their own communities. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 17.

Full details here

BC Builds platform to connect landowners with developers and operators

BC Builds has launched a new platform to connect residential developers and housing operators to landowners of pre-zoned sites. BC Builds will facilitate partnership agreements and lease terms and help support the evaluation of proposals to match zoned land with developers and housing operators. First Nations, government, non-profit and community landowners can submit suitable parcels of land for future projects by reaching out to BC Builds staff.

Opportunities for input

Appointments open for Policing Modernization Roundtable

UBCM is currently seeking nominations to the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable, a forum for local government input into the ongoing Police Act and public safety review. Local government elected officials and staff members interested in participating have until May 24, 2024, to apply.

Available seat on Recycle BC Advisory Committee

UBCM is seeking expressions of interest to fill one vacant position the Recycle BC Advisory Committee. The Committee is a forum to provide input and advice to Recycle BC staff and its board of directors on the packaging and printed paper product stewardship program.

Date Changed: RCMP Policing Webinar

The RCMP Municipal Police Unit Agreements webinar has been rescheduled for June 4, 2024, 10-11:30 am. Communities with a Municipal Police Unit Agreement (MPUA) are invited to attend this webinar, which will focus on the authorities and responsibilities of municipalities with an MPUA.

Information session on ICI packaging waste

The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is offering an information session on June 6 for local governments to learn more about the Province’s possible policy approaches to prevent non-residential (ICI) packaging waste. The discussion paper, Preventing Waste in British Columbia: Non-Residential Packaging and Paper Products lays out several potential policy options and desired outcomes.

Dog and cat tags for 2025 now available

Dog and cat tags for 2025 are now available for purchase online. UBCM has negotiated a discounted group rate with our supplier to provide savings for all participating members.

Deadline to submit resolutions for consideration at Convention is June 15

The deadline to have resolutions submitted for the UBCM Convention is now June 15. This is two weeks earlier than the previous June 30 deadline. An Extraordinary Resolution was passed at 2023 Convention to permanently move up the deadline by two weeks.