www.ubcm.ca | May 21, 2025 | View in browser

Concerns about Bill 15 unabated


Last week mayors, chairs, elected chiefs and CAOs joined with Minister Bowinn Ma in a conference call regarding Bill 15, Infrastructure Projects Act. The call provided an opportunity for the Province to provide information about the Bill and respond to questions.


The meeting followed a week of opposition to Bill 15 from local governments, First Nations, opposition MLAs, environmental groups and more, concerning the powers it provides to the provincial cabinet, and lack of meaningful consultation prior to the drafting of the legislation.

Local government concerns continue to be featured in several news stories:

  • Canadian Press interviewed UBCM President Trish Mandewo to hear local government reaction to the conference call with Minister Ma. 
  • UBCM President Trish Mandewo told Global News: "You don't have to twist local government arms to say, 'you need hospitals, you need schools… It's how they're going about it that's problematic." 
  • CBC reported on the unified opposition against Bill 15, citing President Mandewo’s request for the province to pause further action on the Bill
  • The Vancouver Sun covered the start of the debate on the Bill


Bill 15 moved into committee May 14, and is slated to come to a final vote before the current legislative session ends on May 29. 

FEEDBACK & INPUT

Input requested: Proposed changes to closed council and board meetings


The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is seeking local government feedback on possible amendments to closed meeting provisions in the local government legislation. Two webinars (June 12 & 23) will provide information about the possible amendments and an opportunity for local governments to provide feedback. Register in advance.

UPDATES & REMINDERS

New appointment to Board of Examiners


With the retirement last year of UBCM’s Marie Crawford, a new appointment to the Board of Examiners has been made. Jared Wright, UBCM’s General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, is now the UBCM representative to the board. 

UBCM resolutions deadline: June 15


The deadline to submit resolutions directly to UBCM is June 15. Any resolution submitted after June 15 will be a Late Resolution, which will only be sent for debate at Convention if the topic is new, emergency, and not known as of the June 15 deadline. For more, refer to the Resolutions Process.

ICYMI