2023 Resolutions

Whereas capital costs for healthcare facilities in North and Central British Columbia are shared between the Provincial Government and Regional Hospital Districts (RHD) at a 60%/40% split (Province/local RHD); and

Whereas the cost share ratio borne by a local Regional Hospital District is not financially sustainable, long term, due to escalating construction/inflationary costs and scope of healthcare capital projects increasing without adequate and proactive consultation with the local RHD Board;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to modernize the RHD Cost Share formula under the Hospital District Act with the ability to pay being a key consideration of cost-sharing of healthcare capital projects.

Whereas access to healthcare services is of paramount importance to all British Columbians, a detailed evaluation of structure/ management is required to inform future strategies; and 

Whereas local governments have limited access to Health Authority reports;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to require a review of the structure/management of Health Authorities.

Whereas the Province of BC is experiencing a homeless crisis and the number of individuals experiencing homelessness is increasing; and 

Whereas the number of shelter spaces is not sufficient or lack staff capacity to house our vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness and results in a number of individuals living in encampments; and

Whereas municipalities are responsible for land use and mental health, addictions and housing does not fall under the jurisdiction of municipalities;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to direct B.C. Housing to provide management and oversight of encampments in all communities across BC.

Whereas amendments to the Agricultural Land Commission Act and Agricultural Land Reserve Regulation were amended such that the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is no longer accepting Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) Exclusion Applications from private property owners; and

Whereas ALR Exclusion Applications are now only accepted from local governments (or First Nation or other prescribed bodies); and

Whereas under the new legislative scheme, the responsibility for submitting ALR Exclusion Applications – including all application requirements such as public hearings, advertising, signage, and review of technical reports – falls to local governments; and

Whereas responsibility for ALR Exclusion Applications require considerable administration, staff time, and financial resources; and

Whereas ALR Exclusion Applications solely benefit private property owners; 

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA petition the ALC to rightfully reinstate responsibility for ALR Exclusion Applications back on private property owners. 

Whereas the number of people in BC, including rural and remote communities, experiencing mental health and addictions issues continues to increase; and

Whereas rural and remote communities lack sufficient resources, including treatment beds, detox facilities, and specialized staff to provide adequate quality care, and travel to distant treatments facilities is a barrier to treatment; and

Whereas the Provincial Government has committed to expanding complex care, treatment, and aftercare across the Province to provide quality care to British Columbians where and when needed; 

Therefore be it resolved that the Province commit to establishing mental health and addictions treatment facilities in smaller communities in Northern BC, reducing the barriers to treatment for all residents including Indigenous Peoples.

Whereas there is a chronic labour shortage of qualified class 4 taxi drivers and licensed taxi vehicles in northern communities; 

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC swiftly allows for the expansion of ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft outside of the major urban centers.

Whereas Municipalities are currently not prioritized in the Provincial Enhanced Referral Process that matches ministry and agency demands with existing surplus properties during the Provincial land disposition process; and

Whereas the opportunity to access lands that are being disposed by the Provincial Government would further the ability of Municipalities to pursue community planning, economic diversification, and asset management efforts within their communities;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to consider and prioritize Municipalities in the Provincial Enhanced Referral Process when lands are being disposed of in communities.

Whereas The Provincial Government’s approach to invasive species is to find, identify, and systematically eradicate, contain or control new invasive species before they can spread beyond their point of entry; and

Whereas the Province does not have jurisdiction to perform noxious weed and invasive plant control activities on CN Rail right of ways; and

Whereas current invasive plant management programs for noxious weeds and invasive plants along rail lines are not being effectively performed;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to assess and improve the noxious weeds and invasive plant removal program along rail lines throughout British Columbia.

Whereas there is a lack of Public Health Officers in rural and northern British Columbia; and

Whereas the current staffing levels are impacting development approval processes for obtaining public health permits; and

Whereas there is limited training opportunities for Public Health Officers in rural and northern British Columbia;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Provincial Government to increase the provision of locally offered training and support for Public Health Officials in rural and northern British Columbia.

Whereas all levels of government in British Columbia have a role in advancing the principles of reconciliation as set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; and

Whereas local governments have statutory obligations in relation to a number of provincial Acts and Regulations, which has resulted in expectations on local government to more broadly consider the principles of reconciliation when exercising those statutory obligations;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Province of BC to provide timely clarification, support, and involvement for local governments regarding the expectations and requirements of local governments in advancing commitments to reconciliation and UNDRIP when fulfilling their statutory obligations under relevant provincial legislation.

Whereas employers in all sectors across the province are experiencing labour shortages and face challenges filling vacancies with foreign workers; and

Whereas the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Rural Renewal Stream enables local governments to work directly with their business communities promoting a streamlined path for skilled and unskilled workers to enter the province;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to create an economic immigration program that enables local governments to streamline application and approval to allow foreign workers to work in British Columbia.

Whereas local governments are the level of government which are closest to the communities they serve and are which best understands local needs, knowledge, and opportunities of these communities; and

Whereas the current framework for planning, funding, implementing, and announcing broadband improvement projects excludes local governments at every stage beyond the funding application phase, particularly as projects are implemented, resulting in disconnection between projects being supported and projects being delivered;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the BC Ministry of Citizens Services and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to include local governments at all stages of every internet and broadband improvement project and funding application to provide effective means of keeping local elected officials informed and providing an avenue for local knowledge to be incorporated.

Whereas local governments face building bylaw enforcement challenges, particularly in low density rural areas; and

Whereas Technical Safety BC regularly issue electrical, gas and other permits for installations in buildings which are in contravention of local government building bylaws;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to require Technical Safety BC to confirm that necessary building permits have been issued prior to the issuance of installation permits.

Whereas the provincial government plans to require only zero emission vehicle sales in British Columbia by 2040; and

Whereas northern and rural communities may not have the necessary infrastructure, capacity building ability, and related upgrades necessary to support the Province’s objective for zero emission vehicles;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to recognize the challenges in northern British Columbia and outline their plan for supporting capacity building, improved infrastructure, and other upgrades in northern British Columbia to meet zero emission vehicle sales targets;

And be it further resolved that if interim zero emission vehicle sales targets for 2030 are not met by the Province, then the Province may reconsider their 2040 objectives.

Whereas all commercial truck traffic that passes through the East gate of Jasper National Park also passes through the West gate of the park; and

Whereas Highways 16 and 5, the Yellowhead Highway, are the primary transportation corridors for commercial, tourism and local traffic and the designated over-size route for industrial traffic movements;

Therefore be it resolved that a letter be written to Government of Canada, Parks Canada requesting that the West gate of Jasper National Park be upgraded to be consistent with the East gate improvements that have been recently completed and are proving beneficial to all travellers.

Whereas in 2022 the BC Government initiated a Provincial Sales Tax increase of an extra 5% to be paid on all Fossil Fuel Combustion Systems for heating homes including: central forced air furnaces, unit heaters, fireplaces, boilers, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, air conditioners and all replacement parts for said heating systems or similar systems to those listed;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to exempt those who live in the northern regions of British Columbia from paying the Provincial Sales Tax surcharge of 5% on Fossil Fuel Combustion Systems in consideration of the climate in this geographical area and the inefficiencies of electric heat pumps in heating northern homes when temperatures drop to -20 degrees Celsius or below.

Whereas used vehicle sales are an economical and affordable means of attaining motor vehicle ownership for drivers of all income levels, skills, abilities, and ages, where consideration of the vehicle’s actual condition, previous use, and costs of functional repairs can be reflected in a final sales price; and

Whereas the Province has revised how Provincial Sales Tax is calculated on the sale of used vehicles, resulting in a disconnect between the real market value of used vehicles and the estimated values used to determine taxable value, making vehicle ownership increasingly unaffordable for British Columbians while unduly increasing tax revenues for the provincial government;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial Ministry of Finance to discontinue the use of the Canadian Black Book as a means of determining the taxable value for used vehicles sales, and return to using the actual sale price of the used vehicle being sold when determining Provincial Sales Tax payable.

Whereas local area service and latecomer fees are not registered on certificates of title and this has caused issues for realtors and new home buyers who may be unaware of these costs until they receive their property tax notice; and

Whereas the disclosure of these costs on title provides disclosure to future property owners and protects taxpayers from unknown costs;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide local governments the ability to register latecomer fees and local area service on certificates of titles.

Whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure currently does not provide policy guidance to provincial approving officers regarding criteria for determining when to engage in a process of public notification or consultation on rural subdivision applications; and

Whereas concerns have been expressed about lack of public consultation and consideration for sufficient water supply where a significant subdivision application is being considered by the Provincial Approving Officer in a rural neighbourhood;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to revise its policies, processes, and guidance documents to require the Approving Officer to provide notification to owners and occupiers of land which may potentially be impacted by a subdivision.

Whereas requirements for highway access to water is legislatively required for subdivisions that border a body of water and these accesses become the responsibility of the Province under the Transportation Act; and

Whereas many of these highway access points on Crown Land have organically developed into public access points such as boat launches which the public desires use of; and

Whereas the Province does not maintain these access points and the public continues to express their concern for lack of maintenance to local governments;

Therefore be it resolved that the NCLGA and UBCM request that the Province recognize these highway access points established under provincial legislation as official public access points and that the Province maintain these sites to provide the public with access to British Columbia's lakes.

Whereas the Province of BC has released the Clean BC Roadmap to 2030 outlining measures to reach its legislated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets; and

Whereas zero-emission vehicles may not be a suitable alternative for remote rural resource based industries including forestry, oil and gas, and agriculture; and

Whereas public transit is not available in many rural and remote communities;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to develop a Clean BC Transportation Plan specific to rural and northern communities that addresses the unique challenges and identifies how the GHG targets can be achieved.

Whereas the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) released in December 2022 the new Emergency Support Services (ESS) Program Guide; and

Whereas less than sufficient broad-based meaningful consultation was undertaken including responsible local authorities under the current legislation and associated Indigenous Nations; and

Whereas the EMCR has committed to having multiple updates in the first year of release and yearly updates afterward noting that feedback can be provided to the ESS Program Office:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask that the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness proactively consult with local authorities and associated Indigenous Nations throughout the province as part of the commitment to provide regular updates to ensure practices are consistently reflected in its resources.

Whereas there is a significant housing shortage in most areas of the province; and

Whereas BC Housing has been put in place to assist communities with this issue, especially with low income/emergency housing;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to commit to a timeline to address the ongoing delays with BC Housing that contribute to the lack of progress in providing housing for communities that are experiencing an ongoing housing crisis.

Whereas the COVID-19 Provincial vaccine mandate for health care workers continues and British Columbia’s health care system is under severe stress; and

Whereas the District of Kitimat wrote a letter to BC’s Chief Medical Officer in January of 2023 asking that the vaccine mandate for health care workers be removed or, if the mandate continues, the conditions needed to end the mandate be communicated, to which there has been no response as of March 21, 2023;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM ask the Province to provide the criteria that must be in place in order to remove the vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Whereas British Columbia is one of the last remaining provinces in Canada requiring a vaccine mandate for healthcare professionals; and

Whereas the shortage of healthcare workers in the Province of British Columbia has been exacerbated considerably by the dismissal of those healthcare workers who chose not to be vaccinated against COVID-19;

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the provincial government to lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement and allow for unvaccinated healthcare workers to return to work to lessen the strain on the healthcare system.

Whereas health care is a critical need for all British Columbians; and

Whereas transparent and open communication between levels of government is required, and citizens should be assured their leaders are working together as they were elected to do;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to improve the communication between the Ministry of Health and local levels of government to ensure the health care system meets the needs of all residents of BC.

Whereas there is a provincial crisis in health care that is even more pronounced in rural BC, and an estimated one in five BC residents do not have a family physician or primary health care provider; and

Whereas rural BC is at increased risk of Emergency Room closures due to lack of health care providers;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide financial and policy support to facilitate training/supporting/using allied health care providers (i.e. chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists) to help recruit and retain in rural BC including incentives such as loan forgiveness and signing bonuses with a minimum time commitment.

Whereas accessible health care is a cornerstone for providing quality of life for the residents of British Columbia and supports economic prosperity and sustainability of communities; and

Whereas access to quality health care without financial or other barriers is critical to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of all Canadians under the Canada Health Act;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM petition the provincial government for an independent operational performance review of the Health Authorities to assess the distribution and level of health care services provided, the distribution of administrative services within services delivery areas, the effectiveness of support services for health care professionals, the scope and effectiveness of recruitment and retention policies, and the sustainability of health care from the scope of emerging trends in the delivery of health care services.

Whereas substance dependence is viewed as a health concern and the Province has committed to treatment and recovery services that meet the needs of people who are suffering from addiction; and

Whereas residents in rural and remote communities are required to travel significant distances for addiction treatment services, including detox, and these services are oversubscribed;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the provincial government to further support the creation of addiction treatment capacity, including detox programs, in rural and remote communities in British Columbia.

Whereas the number of British Columbians experiencing mental health issues continues to rise while the current facilities in the North are not equipped to address the current issues surrounding mental health and addictions;

And whereas the provincial government has committed to expanding new complex care, treatment, detox, recovery and after-care facilities across the province in order to provide quality care to British Columbians where and when needed:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to consider the establishment of a stand-alone mental health and addictions facility in the Prince George area to provide access to treatment and support services for residents of Northern BC inclusive of the First Nations Health Authority to deliver culturally appropriate mental health and substance use services for Indigenous Peoples.

Whereas the January 31, 2023 BC Coroners Service report identifies a disproportionately higher illicit drug toxicity death rate outside of large urban centres, and furthermore the First Nations Health Authority identifies that Indigenous people are dying at a rate five times greater than other BC residents; and

Whereas the long distances and limited public transportation options required to travel to the nearest withdrawal management facility creates unrealistic access to services for people living in rural communities across the province;

Therefore be it resolved that NCLGA and UBCM lobby the Province of British Columbia to provide withdrawal management services in rural centres in British Columbia in an expedited manner.