Each year, local government delegates gather at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention to meet with provincial representatives and advocate on behalf of local government. This year, Sicamous' new council attended the convention which was held in Vancouver from September 18-22. 

During the convention, delegates voted to endorse 161 resolutions, including three submitted by the District of Sicamous. Over 200 resolutions were submitted by municipal councils and regional district boards from around the province. Resolutions are a formal expression of the opinion, will or intent of the council or board.

Resolutions submitted to UBCM typically request the Province, UBCM, the federal government or the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to take action on important issues for local governments and the communities they represent. They are an advocacy tool used to lobby higher levels of government. If a resolution is endorsed by UBCM, it will receive an official response which will later be published.

District resolutions that were endorsed by UBCM and will receive a response from the Province include:  

• EB36 Greater Enforcement for Provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program
• NR41 Riparian Areas Protection Regulation Compliance
• EB65 Trans-Canada Highway Improvements

You can read the resolutions on council's advocacy webpage.

During the convention, local governments also have the opportunity to meet with provincial representatives. Local governments must submit requests to meet with cabinet ministers and ministry staff. Not all meetings are granted due to the high volume of requests. This year, council was successful in confirming nine meetings. Meetings were held with the following provincial representatives:

• Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs;
• Honourable Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests;
• Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Aman Singh;
• Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development Roly Russell;
• Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries & Aquaculture Kelly Greene; and 
• Ministry staff from the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

At the October 11 regular council meeting, the District's chief administrative officer will provide a recap of the convention and an overview of the meetings held with provincial representatives. 

The theme of this year's convention was "Balancing Act," in consideration of the overlapping crises that require immediate attention from the Province. Emerging themes reported by UBCM included improved treatment and supports for decriminalization and identifying additional measures to prohibit consumption in areas frequented by children, the fallout of the 2023 wildfire season and questions about pending changes to B.C.'s housing system. 

During the convention, council members and District staff attended various information sessions on an array of issues and topics. You can watch convention speaker interviews on the UBCM's YouTube channel and learn more about UBCM and the convention by visiting the UBCM website. 

2023 UBCM Convention

Meeting with Municipal Affairs Minister.

Introductions with the Premier.

Together at UBCM.