2025 Resolutions

WHEREAS addiction and mental illness impact individuals across all sectors of society, and stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help, sustaining long-term recovery, and maintaining employment, a key determinant of well-being that provides financial stability, purpose, and social connection;

AND WHEREAS local governments, as employers and community leaders, have the ability to implement Recovery-Informed Workplace Practices that foster inclusive and supportive work environments, reduce workplace conditions that contribute to substance misuse, and promote policies that recognize and celebrate recovery;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM encourage members to adopt Recovery-Informed Workplace Practices by integrating education, support programs, and policies that create stigma-free workplaces, while also advocating for provincial funding and resources to assist in the development and expansion of these initiatives to support employment retention as a critical component of recovery.

WHEREAS plasma is a critical component in life-saving treatments for individuals with immune deficiencies, cancer, kidney disease, and other serious medical conditions;

AND WHEREAS Canada collects less than 20% of the plasma required to meet domestic patient needs, relying heavily on international supply chains despite growing demand for plasma-based treatments;

AND WHEREAS Canadian Blood Services closed its whole blood donation centre in Prince George in 2015, leaving Northern BC residents with no local option to donate plasma, while new plasma donor centres have been established in other remote regions such as Thunder Bay, Ontario;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government, through the Ministry of Health, and Canadian Blood Services to establish a Blood Plasma Donor Centre in Northern BC, to improve access for donors, and strengthen Canada’s domestic plasma supply.

WHEREAS the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, introduced by the Province of British Columbia in October 2023, mandates local governments to regulate short-term rentals to increase the supply of long-term housing but applies a rigid exemption threshold based solely on rental vacancy rates;

AND WHEREAS smaller communities, such as Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, experience temporary fluctuations in vacancy rates due to major projects and economic cycles, which do not reflect a long-term housing shortage, yet remain ineligible for exemptions under the current criteria;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government, specifically the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, to amend the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act to allow greater exemption flexibility for small and resource-based communities by: 

•       Expanding exemption criteria beyond rental vacancy rates to include economic conditions, municipal housing needs assessments, and local government input; and

•       Allowing municipalities under 25,000 population to apply for exemptions based on demonstrated local housing market conditions rather than rigid vacancy thresholds.

WHEREAS wild mushroom harvesting supports local economies, food security, tourism, and cultural traditions, particularly for Indigenous communities and small-scale harvesters;

AND WHEREAS the lack of regulatory oversight has led to unsustainable harvesting, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and conflicts over access to resources;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government, through the Ministry of Forests, to develop and implement a regulatory framework for wild mushroom harvesting that establishes science-based harvesting limits, seasonal restrictions, and designated zones; ensures compliance through monitoring and enforcement; protects Indigenous harvesting rights and traditional practices; and supports small-scale harvesters through training, licensing, and market access.

WHEREAS regional districts have not undergone a comprehensive legislative reform since their inception in 1965, resulting in outdated provisions in the Local Government Act that impede effective governance, particularly in rural and unincorporated areas;

AND WHEREAS regional districts lack parity with municipalities in terms of recognition, regulatory authority, revenue tools, and decision-making powers, and are not currently recognized in legislation as an equal order of government;

AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has committed through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) to advancing inclusive governance, including Indigenous participation in regional district decision-making structures:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM request the Province of British Columbia undertake a comprehensive modernization of regional district legislation, guided by the principles and recommendations of the Regional District Legislation Roadmap (February 2025), to ensure equitable governance structures, enhanced authority, inclusive representation, and flexible revenue tools that reflect the current and future needs of all regional districts in British Columbia.

WHEREAS resource development projects significantly impact rural and unincorporated communities, including electoral areas, where regional directors are elected to represent local interests;

AND WHEREAS there is currently no standardized protocol for provincial ministries or resource development proponents to engage regional directors in consultation processes, limiting their ability to provide informed input on behalf of their communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government, specifically the  Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, the Ministry of Forests, and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, to establish formal engagement protocols that require provincial ministries and resource development proponents to consult with regional directors in electoral areas on projects within their jurisdictions, ensuring local perspectives are considered in decision-making.

WHEREAS local governments play a critical role in local economic development and can strengthen Canadian industries by prioritizing domestic procurement of goods and services;

AND WHEREAS reviewing and adapting local government procurement policies to prioritize Canadian products and services can support local businesses, enhance economic resilience, and mitigate the risks associated with international trade disruptions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to support a Canada-first local government procurement strategy by facilitating local and domestic sourcing opportunities, encouraging local governments to review their procurement practices, and providing policy and financial support to strengthen Canadian supply chains.

WHEREAS interprovincial trade barriers restrict market access for businesses and limit opportunities for local governments to source competitively within Canada;

AND WHEREAS eliminating these barriers would facilitate economic growth, encourage interprovincial commerce, and provide local governments with greater flexibility in procurement decisions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to reduce and eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, improving market access for Canadian businesses, and enabling local governments to procure goods and services from across the country more efficiently.

WHEREAS there is a significant shortage of healthcare professionals in the province, which impacts the availability and quality of healthcare services;

AND WHEREAS the current process for licensing out-of-province and internationally-trained healthcare professionals is lengthy and inefficient, resulting in delays filling critical positions and exacerbating the workforce shortage;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to streamline the licensing process for out-of-province and internationally-trained healthcare professionals, ensuring a more efficient pathway for these professionals to practice and contribute to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage in the province.

WHEREAS rural and remote communities face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining primary care physicians, leading to chronic understaffing and healthcare access issues;

AND WHEREAS the expansion of the Practice Ready Assessment-British Columbia (PRA-BC) program’s eligible communities and the implementation of the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model has contributed to increased physician shortages, excessive workloads, and frequent emergency room diversions in rural areas;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to reassess the recent changes to the PRA-British Columbia program and LFP Payment Model, ensuring that these initiatives prioritize the recruitment and retention of physicians in rural and remote communities to address ongoing healthcare disparities.

WHEREAS the stresses faced by local elected officials are increasing due to a degradation in the tone of civil discourse;

AND WHEREAS additional mental health supports for local elected officials would be beneficial beyond what is provided by the Medical Services Plan and extended health plans;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM call upon the provincial government to implement initiatives that offer mental health supports tailored to the needs of local elected leaders in British Columbia.

WHEREAS youth in rural and remote British Columbia are facing mental health and wellness challenges just like their peers in urban centers;

AND WHEREAS Foundry BC in-person Centers are largely located in urban British Columbia and not accessible for youth in rural and remote BC communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to commit to establishing in-person Foundry Centres that meet the needs of rural and remote youth in their home communities, recognizing the unique challenges of youth living in rural and remote communities.

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia decriminalized the possession of small amounts of controlled substances in an effort to address the opioid crisis and reduce the harms of criminalization;

AND WHEREAS despite this policy, the decriminalization of controlled substances has not achieved the desired outcomes, communities continue to face significant challenges related to substance abuse and public safety, and the BC Association of Chiefs of Police has withdrawn their support for decriminalization;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to revisit the policy of decriminalizing controlled substances, to assess its effectiveness, and to consider alternative approaches that better address substance abuse and enhance community safety.

WHEREAS in the face of the drug use epidemic, the rise in homelessness, and increases in related crime and the influence on mental health, Northern British Columbia communities are experiencing a critical lack of access to long-term secure psychiatric care. The closure of Riverview Hospital in 2012, the province’s only psychiatric hospital, has created an unnecessary strain on the residents of our communities, families, local police services, and hospitals;

AND WHEREAS psychiatric patients are either released prematurely or forced to be admitted to acute care hospital beds causing cancelled surgeries, emergency department overcrowding, long emergency room waits, violence in emergency rooms, and staff attrition:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM endorse and advocate for the provincial government to work with the Northern Health Authority to recognize this urgent need and open a psychiatric hospital in northern British Columbia to contribute to the overall health and stability of our communities.

WHEREAS the provincial government has stated an interest in establishing, throughout the province, beds under the Mental Health Act at highly secure regional facilities, where people will receive long-term care and housing that is secure, safe and dignified, and as the City of Prince George recognizes its role as a regional service hub for these types of facilities;

AND WHEREAS the provincial government has stated it is working on legislation, supported by expert consultation, that would support involuntary admittance to these specialized, compassionate care facilities with a coordinated plan for both treatment and post care;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate to the provincial government for the construction of a standalone secure psychiatric care facility, to serve the region, in Prince George.

WHEREAS individuals returning to communities after completing addiction treatment often face significant barriers, including lack of stable housing, employment opportunities, mental health support, and community reintegration services;

AND WHEREAS the absence of comprehensive wraparound supports, including second-stage housing, case management, peer support, and access to mental health and substance use services, increases the risk of relapse and reduces the long-term success of recovery efforts;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to develop and fund a provincial strategy that expands access to: 

1.     Second-stage and transitional housing for individuals completing treatment to provide stability as they reintegrate into their communities particularly in rural Northern regions.

2.     Integrated case management services, including mental health, employment, and life skills programs, to support sustained recovery.

3.     Community-based wraparound supports, including Indigenous-led healing programs, peer support networks, and long-term addiction recovery services;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government to work in collaboration with municipalities, Indigenous communities, health authorities, and non-profit organizations to ensure equitable access to these supports in rural and northern communities, where services are often limited or unavailable.​  

WHEREAS communities across the province are actively seeking solutions to support people experiencing homelessness, as permanent housing is a fundamental need for stability and well-being;

AND WHEREAS local governments require additional funding streams to address housing insecurity, and the province collects revenue from civil forfeiture, cannabis and liquor taxes, and provincial gambling revenues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide local governments with additional funding streams, including proceeds from civil forfeiture, cannabis and liquor taxes, and provincial gambling revenues, to support community-led co-op housing models, which have proven successful in other provinces, as a solution to homelessness.   

WHEREAS BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund (CHF) provides critical funding to support the development of affordable housing projects across British Columbia, enabling municipalities, non-profits, and housing providers to address the urgent need for affordable housing;

AND WHEREAS the significant upfront costs required to submit an application to BC Housing, such as feasibility studies, architectural designs, and other pre-development expenses create financial barriers for small municipalities and non-profit organizations, limiting their ability to deliver housing;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate to BC Housing and the provincial government for changes to the Community Housing Fund application process to reduce or subsidize upfront pre-development costs, ensuring equitable access for all municipalities and non-profits across the province. 

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has made significant investments in housing initiatives to address homelessness and housing affordability, including programs such as the Community Housing Fund, Rapid Response to Homelessness, and the Supportive Housing Fund, which aim to provide immediate and long-term housing solutions for vulnerable populations, yet sometimes underfund the cost to deliver the required infrastructure upgrades;

AND WHEREAS local governments and non-profit organizations face substantial financial barriers when undertaking affordable housing projects, including off-site works such as infrastructure upgrades, which are critical to the long-term sustainability of supportive housing projects but often fall outside the scope of existing funding programs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government and BC Housing to complete all housing project off-site works to municipal standards or provide direct funding to municipalities to undertake the works required to ensure the sustainability of municipal infrastructure and the long-term viability of affordable housing projects.

WHEREAS the Government of British Columbia introduced the Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT) to address housing availability by incentivizing the utilization of vacant properties for the benefit of BC residents;

AND WHEREAS the provincial government continues to expand the Speculation and Vacancy Tax program to include additional communities, promoting increased affordable housing stock across the province;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate for the provincial government to grant BC municipalities the option to opt into the Speculation and Vacancy Tax program, specifically targeting properties that have been vacant for two or more years. 

WHEREAS the BC Wildfire Initial Attack Crews are a critical component of the wildfire response and rapid wildfire suppression in the Province of British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS Initial Fire Attack Crew Base locations are key to providing timely wildfire suppression efforts, especially in remote and rural areas;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide the necessary funding to return and maintain all Initial Fire Attack Crew Bases in their current locations and not relocate them without significant local stakeholder consultation.

WHEREAS the Emergency Social Services (ESS) program provides critical support during emergencies and disasters, enabling communities to deliver essential services including reception centers, food, shelter, and basic needs to impacted individuals;

AND WHEREAS many local governments have facilities or infrastructure in need of upgrades or renovations to improve their capacity for delivering ESS services in emergencies and disasters including the creation of small-scale reception centers, secure storage for equipment, and training spaces for volunteers to enhance preparedness;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government to amend existing ESS Grant programs to include capital or renovation costs as eligible expenses, supporting the improvement of facilities used for the delivery of ESS in communities across British Columbia.

WHEREAS communities across British Columbia are facing unprecedented costs and public safety impacts caused by the revolving door of prolific offenders being released into communities;

AND WHEREAS senior levels of government have not taken adequate steps to protect communities from prolific offenders that have been released or are out on bail;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate to the Attorneys General for Canada and British Columbia to address the severe impacts that local governments across British Columbia are experiencing with prolific offenders being frequently released and re-released into local communities, including: 

•       supporting the widespread use of GPS monitoring of prolific offenders out on bail;

•       seeking guidance from senior levels of government on how local governments can effectively communicate the community’s concerns to courts considering bail and sentencing of prolific offenders;

•       communicating to senior levels of government that local jurisdictions cannot afford to allocate taxpayer dollars to fund the increased policing and community costs resulting from the revolving door of repeat prolific offenders being released into communities; and

•       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal and provincial governments work with UBCM and BC local governments to review and support options to exempt local governments for the full public safety costs resulting from and associated with Crown Counsel’s decisions to continually release repeat prolific offenders into BC communities. 

WHEREAS crime prevention and community safety are essential to the well-being of all residents, and urban centers have dedicated crime prevention resources, including specialized officers;

AND WHEREAS rural communities in British Columbia face unique challenges related to limited law enforcement resources and the absence of specialized crime prevention officers;

AND WHEREAS the establishment of regional crime prevention officer positions would enhance community safety, improve coordination of crime prevention efforts, and support local law enforcement in rural areas:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate to the provincial government for the funding and creation of regional crime prevention officer positions in rural British Columbia to enhance community safety, improve coordination of crime prevention efforts, and support local law enforcement in addressing crime in rural areas.

WHEREAS under the BC Police Act, municipalities with a population of over 5,000 are responsible for providing and bearing the necessary expenses of policing and law enforcement within their municipal boundaries;

AND WHEREAS under the Municipal Police Service Agreement, the provincial government may subcontract the RCMP to municipalities to achieve this requirement (an agreement that the vast majority of municipalities over 5,000 in population in BC utilize);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in an effort to manage contract costs to municipalities, NCLGA and UBCM lobby the federal government to meaningfully engage with provinces and territories during RCMP collective bargaining processes.

WHEREAS RCMP contracted costs represent a significant portion of local government's annual budgets;

AND WHEREAS all contracts contain a method to independently verify their accuracy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to develop a method for local governments to independently verify RCMP invoices.

WHEREAS the provincial government is responsible for managing the conservation service, with few officers covering a geographically vast region, which has a negative impact on the ability of the BC Conservation Officer Service to meet the needs of the communities served;

AND WHEREAS the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service needs additional resources to adequately address public safety, focus on natural resource law enforcement, off road vehicle enforcement, illegal dumping, human wildlife conflicts prevention, and respond to wildlife human conflict;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM advocate for the provincial government to provide adequate funding, offices and staffing to fully support the BC Conservation Officer Service to be more active and proactive in effectively managing conservation services.

WHEREAS British Columbia’s (BC) forests and protected lands are vital to its natural heritage, supporting diverse wildlife and ecosystems that require sustainable management and conservation effort;

AND WHEREAS licensed hunters and trappers contribute significantly to BC’s economy, generating over $600 million in spending annually and paying approximately $12 million in fees, which currently go into general provincial revenue rather than directly supporting wildlife conservation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to dedicate all revenues from hunting and trapping licenses, fines, and penalties to wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.

WHEREAS provincial moose management decisions are guided by the Provincial Moose Management Framework;

AND WHEREAS moose serve a significant role as a food source and, further, have cultural importance for Indigenous residents;

AND WHEREAS provincial moose research has identified the need for intensive landscape-scale management to stem moose population declines;

AND WHEREAS provincial moose research has identified the need to consider vegetation composition and re-growth during forestry planning and to identify region-specific forestry thresholds for moose:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government to add moose habitat as a value to all future forestry landscape planning and resource development projects where moose habituate.

WHEREAS community based ecological knowledge, combined with scientific data and understanding is the best way to plan for climate adaptation;

AND WHEREAS future forest and water management must protect and restore ecosystem services to ensure a resilient and biodiverse landscape: 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM request that the provincial government establish and empower collaborative landscape level planning tables with the goal to restore biodiverse climate resilient ecosystems.

WHEREAS British Columbia’s natural gas sector has taken significant actions to address emissions, including a 47% reduction in methane emissions from 2014 to 2021, while continuing to grow production and economic contributions; 

AND WHEREAS a sectoral emissions cap would restrict upstream natural gas production, discourage investment, and shift development to jurisdictions with weaker environmental regulations, resulting in job losses and no meaningful net reduction in global emissions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the provincial government to not implement a sectoral emissions cap and instead collaborate with industry to develop balanced, competitive emissions policies that support investment while maintaining environmental progress.

WHEREAS local governments across the Province of BC have declared climate emergencies and nuclear energy is a greenhouse gas free source of electricity;

AND WHEREAS BC Hydro has put out a call for electricity production, the first time it has done so in over a decade;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to review the Clean Energy Act, specifically to study the feasibility of a reversal on the current prohibition on nuclear energy in support of electricity production and reduction of greenhouse gas production in British Columbia.

WHEREAS regional districts have not undergone a comprehensive legislative reform since their inception in 1965, resulting in outdated provisions in the Local Government Act that impede effective governance, particularly in rural and unincorporated areas;

AND WHEREAS regional districts lack parity with municipalities in terms of recognition, regulatory authority, revenue tools, and decision-making powers, and are not currently recognized in legislation as an equal order of government;

AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has committed through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) to advancing inclusive governance, including Indigenous participation in regional district decision-making structures:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM request the Province of British Columbia undertake a comprehensive modernization of regional district legislation, guided by the principles and recommendations of the Regional District Legislation Roadmap (February 2025), to ensure equitable governance structures, enhanced authority, inclusive representation, and flexible revenue tools that reflect the current and future needs of all regional districts in British Columbia.

WHEREAS UBCM receives provincial support for program development that enhances local government capacity, provides direct funding opportunities, and delivers programs tailored to local government needs at a province-wide level;

AND WHEREAS the Area Associations, including the North Central Local Government Association, also play a vital role in supporting local governments, yet lack direct provincial funding mechanisms to develop and deliver regionally relevant programs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NCLGA and UBCM urge the  provincial government, specifically the Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities and the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, to develop funding mechanisms to support Area Associations in delivering regional programs that align with provincial priorities, enhance local government capacity, and provide an additional source of revenue to sustain and expand services for their members.

WHEREAS effective and sustainable housing policies require advance consultation with local governments, Indigenous organizations, non-profit providers, private sector experts, and academic institutions to ensure workable, coordinated solutions, and recent provincial housing legislation has often been developed without sufficient input from sector stakeholders, leading to unintended consequences, implementation challenges for local governments, and impacts on housing supply and affordability;

AND WHEREAS a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable, modeled on advisory bodies such as the Energy Step Code Council, would strengthen collaboration, improve the development and implementation of housing policy, and ensure ongoing engagement with key stakeholders;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) advocate for the Government of British Columbia to establish a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable with representation from local governments, Indigenous housing organizations, non-profit and private housing sectors, academic experts, and both provincial and federal housing ministries, to strengthen housing policy development, monitor impacts, and support coordinated solutions to British Columbia’s housing challenges.