This week is Local Government Awareness Week! A chance to celebrate how local governments support safe, healthy & sustainable communities. This year’s theme, financial resiliency, highlights planning for today while protecting tomorrow’s services. Learn more at https://loom.ly/MvAPbPU

When @ubcm.bsky.social, UDI, the MABC, AME, and ICBA all refuse to sign NDAs tied to proposed Heritage Conservation Act changes, it raises serious concerns about the process. Major legislation requires meaningful consultation and transparency from the start, not closed-door decision making.

UBCM and four business orgs are refusing to sign NDAs on the Heritage Conservation Act over concerns that the Province continues to move towards legislation without properly considering feedback provided during its latest consultation period. Read the full release: www.ubcm.ca/sites/defaul...

UBCM has asked BC to spend more time learning about the implications of its planned Heritage Conservation Act amendments. We're concerned about the ambiguity and number of questions that appear unconsidered, and don't believe it's ready for legislation. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

UBCM Executive is in Victoria this week to talk about improving engagement practices, emergency management resources, and development financing tools among other priorities. Thank you to the many Ministers and MLAs for making the time! #bcpoli

UBCM is pleased with the Province’s decision to rescind Bill M216, the Professional Reliance Act. We are also grateful to all of the local governments and professional organizations that took the time to share comments on the potential impacts of this Bill.

BC has updated proposed Heritage Conservation Act changes. We are glad to see feedback incorporated from local governments, First Nations and others. We'll review the proposed changes when available to determine if they fully address member concerns. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

UBCM's ED Gary MacIsaac has announced plans to retire following the Convention in Sept. “Gary has provided exceptional advice and guidance to a generation of local government leaders who have served on UBCM’s Executive,” said UBCM President Cori Ramsay. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

The Heritage Conservation Act webinar has been moved to April 2. UBCM member communities are invited to hear from Ministry of Forests staff on how feedback from local governments has been incorporated in some of the proposed policy changes for the Act. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Community Excellence Awards applications are open! Has your local government worked on an exemplary program or project this year? Consider nominating it for UBCM’s 2026 Community Excellence Awards. Apply before May 29, 2026 buff.ly/NNO9XSh

Bill M216 Professional Reliance Act continues to move forward despite significant risks it would pose for public safety and liability issues. This week the NDP committee chair cast a deciding vote to keep the bill in motion, defeating a Conservative motion to set the bill aside.

UBCM has directed our solicitor to apply to act as an intervenor in the Cowichan Tribes v Canada appeal. Our goal is to ensure the Court understands the implications this ruling will have on local government ability to regulate, tax and service within its jurisdiction. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Douglas Todd: Lots of housing has been approved in Metro Vancouver, despite NDP charges of too much red tape vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...

In Budget 2026, the Province said that it would slow delivery of its housing commitments, and reallocate $1.4B from its housing strategy. On further inquiry UBCM learned that some of that the reallocation will come from closing the Community Housing Fund. www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

Our province is so proud of our Canada men’s hockey team! Also happy to say you can celebrate at one of our local B.C. hospitality locations with a licensed beverage starting at 5:00 am on Sunday, where local governments allow. Go Canada Go!

The Province has announced that licensed premises will be allowed to open at 5am on Sunday, February 22 coinciding with the Olympic gold medal mens hockey game. Local governments need to issue approval for the change to take effect for establishments within their boundaries.

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...

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...

@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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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. #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.

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. Our panel of lawyers reviewed the case and discussed the implications for local governments across BC. #UBCM25 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vxn...

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...

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

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.

“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

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/...

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

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...

UBCM and BCUMC published a housing survery that shows the gaps in BC's housing delivery. There is a deep need for supportive housing in BC. Local govs are trying to help but do not have the $ resources to address what is truly a provincial responsibility. youtu.be/xDArvgzcW10

We’re excited to welcome delegates to Victoria for #UBCM25. This week will be wall-to-wall resolutions debate, policy workshops, collaboration and advocacy. Can't wait!

Have you reviewed the extraordinary resolution up for debate this year? It proposes a framework to sharpen resolution advocacy by tightening what gets admitted for debate. Read the backgrounder before it hits the floor Wed AM #UBCM25 www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-GJ...

A look ahead at of some of the issues local governments will be focused on at Convention this week. #UBCM25

Convention 2025 kicks off tomorrow Victoria. Listen in for a preview of some of the top issues at hand. #UBCM25

UBCM Resolutions are an essential part of local government advocacy in BC. Every year 100s of issues are raised – but the sheer number poses challenges. UBCM is proposing a new framework to streamline the process. #UBCM25 www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-GJ...

Job posting: Corporate Officer, Union of BC Municipalities. FT permanent, hybrid, Richmond, BC. Closes Fri Sept 19, 2025.

A Call for Nominations has been issued for local elected officials to serve on the 2025-2026 UBCM Executive. The UBCM Executive guides UBCM's strategic advocacy and operations on behalf of local governments in BC. Nominations due July 31. #UBCM25 www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/l...

📢 We’re providing nearly $7M for 183 communities across #BC to purchase new supplies and train staff and volunteers at local emergency operations centres. This funding will help better support people during emergencies. Learn more: news.gov.bc.ca/32454 #PreparedBC #EmergencyPreparedness

This is great to see! I really hope this effort succeeds. You can support it via the GoFundMe link posted later in the thread