UBCM

Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)

Decriminalization, climate change and housing top issues at UBCM conference

New UBCM prez says organization is ready to work with province

 

Speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver, Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of BC United said a government under his leadership would increase the supply of housing, while cutting costs for families. (UBCM/Flickr)

BC United Leader Falcon says B.C. on ‘wrong track’ after 6 years of NDP

Official Opposition Leader tells UBCM he would get more housing built and cut costs

 

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said she considers recent comments by health minister Dix that a spike in emergency room activity may be the new normal as unacceptable. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. Green leader accuses health minister, NDP of quiet quitting

Furstenau says province isn’t leaning hard enough into solving the health care crisis

 

UBCM president Jen Ford, here speaking at the 2022 convention, is calling for a fundamental re-working of the relationship between municipalities and senior spheres of government to deal with the housing crisis. (UBCM/Flickr)

UBCM prez calls for fundamental reforms in relations with Victoria, Ottawa

Jen Ford calls for ‘pendulum’ to swing back toward municipalities in order to address housing crisis

UBCM president Jen Ford, here speaking at the 2022 convention, is calling for a fundamental re-working of the relationship between municipalities and senior spheres of government to deal with the housing crisis. (UBCM/Flickr)
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Patience, Bonnie Henry tells B.C. leaders, arrests won’t solve addiction

Drug decriminalization, toxic drugs on the minds of many B.C. municipal leaders

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be discussing drug decriminalization and public drug use in the opening session of the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Bonnie Henry talks public drug use with B.C. mayors and councillors

Public health officer speaking as the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference opens

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be discussing drug decriminalization and public drug use in the opening session of the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire surround two houses that survived the fire and the remains of another that burned, in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The triple threats of wildfires, opioids and housing needs facing British Columbia are the focus of a weeklong gathering of elected municipal and provincial leaders in Vancouver at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfires, opioids, homes on agenda at gathering of B.C.’s local leaders

Union of B.C. Municipalities convention begins Monday

Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire surround two houses that survived the fire and the remains of another that burned, in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The triple threats of wildfires, opioids and housing needs facing British Columbia are the focus of a weeklong gathering of elected municipal and provincial leaders in Vancouver at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Victoria is asking the province to do more on boosting biodiversity and protections for renters. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria asks B.C. to clamp down on no-fault evictions, rent increases

Capital UBCM resolution also hopes hopes province will boost biodiversity

Victoria is asking the province to do more on boosting biodiversity and protections for renters. (Black Press Media file photo)
FILE - Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Jen Ford speaks at the 2022 convention on Sept. 16, 2022. Ford welcomes Premier David Eby’s promises to help municipalities around drug use in public spaces as more communities are looking at their options, but she’s urging speed.(UBCM/Flickr)

UBCM president welcomes Eby’s support on public drug-use issue, but urges speed

Whistler Coun. Jen Ford says ‘there is not one solution that works for everyone’

FILE - Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Jen Ford speaks at the 2022 convention on Sept. 16, 2022. Ford welcomes Premier David Eby’s promises to help municipalities around drug use in public spaces as more communities are looking at their options, but she’s urging speed.(UBCM/Flickr)
Saanich councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff is pushing to make higher-income earners pay more for traffic violations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Make ‘ultra-wealthy’ speeders pay bigger fines: B.C. official

District of Saanich councillor wants fines to work as a proper deterrant, no matter people’s means

Saanich councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff is pushing to make higher-income earners pay more for traffic violations. (Black Press Media file photo)
Last year’s series of atmospheric rivers that caused widespread destruction across southern British Columbia caused $675 million in insurance loses, according to an insurance representative. (File photo courtesy of Emcon)

Insurance industry representative calls for better B.C. flood mapping

2021 atmospheric rivers cost $675M in insurance losses, were Canada’s 8th worst natural disaster

Last year’s series of atmospheric rivers that caused widespread destruction across southern British Columbia caused $675 million in insurance loses, according to an insurance representative. (File photo courtesy of Emcon)
B.C. Premier John Horgan leaves after addressing the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention, in Whistler, B.C., on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Premier tells B.C. municipal leaders not to expect ‘lolly,’ stresses collaboration

John Horgan announced pending retirement earlier this year due to health reasons

B.C. Premier John Horgan leaves after addressing the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention, in Whistler, B.C., on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Liberals leader Kevin Falcon said during his remarks to delegates at the 2022 Convention in Whistler that the province is heading in the wrong direction “by every metric.” (Photo courtesy of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities)

B.C. Liberal leader promises increased housing supply, regional mental health centres

Kevin Falcon says government is not doing enough to supply housing and address health care crisis

B.C. Liberals leader Kevin Falcon said during his remarks to delegates at the 2022 Convention in Whistler that the province is heading in the wrong direction “by every metric.” (Photo courtesy of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities)
Delegates at the 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Whistler considered several resolutions on housing Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)

UBCM calls for review of speculation tax, more control over short-term rentals

A Victoria resolution to explore vacancy control failed narrowly at annual municipal convention

Delegates at the 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Whistler considered several resolutions on housing Thursday morning. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)
Provincial minister of municipal affairs Nathan Cullen announced $62 million for City of Abbotsford to help improve water system after last year’s flooding in Fraser Valley. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)

Minister of municipal affairs Nathan Cullen announces climate funding at UBCM

$62 million for new water-treatment system in Abbotsford, $10 million for planning across B.C.

Provincial minister of municipal affairs Nathan Cullen announced $62 million for City of Abbotsford to help improve water system after last year’s flooding in Fraser Valley. (Photo courtesy of Union of British Columbia Municipalities)
2022 UBCM Convention delegates meeting in Whistler are calling on the province to resume authority for diking as part of a trio of special resolutions (Black Press Media file photo)

Communities across B.C. want province to increase flood preparation and mitigation

Special UBCM resolution calls for additional government support to deal with flooding

2022 UBCM Convention delegates meeting in Whistler are calling on the province to resume authority for diking as part of a trio of special resolutions (Black Press Media file photo)
The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tiny home villages as solution to homelessness? 3 B.C. mayors say yes

Sites up and running in Victoria and Duncan, Port Alberni on its way to do the same

The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions from municipal politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Sept. 17, 2021. (UBCM video)

B.C. housing supply depends on local, federal help, Horgan says

Ministers questioned on affordability crisis at UBCM

B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions from municipal politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Sept. 17, 2021. (UBCM video)
RCMP officers provide policing for 63 B.C. municipalities under a provincial formula based on population. (Black Press file photo)

B.C. communities warned of upcoming RCMP unionization costs

Starting salaries for city police officers are 30% higher

RCMP officers provide policing for 63 B.C. municipalities under a provincial formula based on population. (Black Press file photo)
Vanderhoof councillor Brian Frenkel talks with outgoing Union of B.C. Municipalities president Maja Tait at the group’s first virtual conference, broadcast from Victoria, Sept. 22, 2020. (UBCM)

Vanderhoof’s Brian Frenkel takes on top job in tough times

We can get through this, new local government leader says

Vanderhoof councillor Brian Frenkel talks with outgoing Union of B.C. Municipalities president Maja Tait at the group’s first virtual conference, broadcast from Victoria, Sept. 22, 2020. (UBCM)