www.ubcm.ca | September 15, 2026 | View in browser

Understanding DRIPA: The 2026 Plenary Session

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) represents a significant development in B.C.’s approach to reconciliation and Indigenous-provincial relations. In the first section of the plenary session, Reece Harding, Partner at Young Anderson Barristers and Solicitors provided an overview of the Act, what it means, and what local governments need to know.

The Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Spencer Chandra Herbert, provided historical context of Indigenous-Crown relations dating back to before the Constitution, and the first panel brought together three perspectives on the evolving legal and policy landscape surrounding DRIPA. Speakers include: Merle Alexander (Principal Lawyer at Miller Titerle + Company), Dr. Dwight Newman (Professor of Law and Canada Research Chair in Rights, Communities, and Constitutional Law at the University of Saskatchewan) and Karen Restoule (Director of Indigenous Affairs at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute). 

Videos of the second half of the plenary will be shared in Thursday’s newsletter and on our YouTube channel.

Mental health supports for local elected officials 

Online harassment, personal attacks, threats and more hostile public debate are adding to the pressures that already come with serving in local government. Yet elected officials often don’t have access to mental health supports through their workplace. 

UBCM is developing an online Mental Health Toolkit designed to help fill that gap by providing local leaders with practical, confidential resources to manage the pressures of public office while serving their communities. Read more.

Call for FireSmart funding program to be prioritized 

“If you could spend $1 million in a community to save $150 million of long-term damage, rebuilding costs and remediation work, would you?” asked Radium Hot Springs Councillor Carey Collin. His answer is an obvious yes. Read more.

2026 Community Excellence Awards Winners

UBCM is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Community Excellence Awards. These winners have gone above and beyond the purposes of local government in BC. They are innovative, provide direct benefit to their community, and demonstrate leadership in their field. Congratulations winners!

• PRESIDENTS COMMITTEE CHOICE: Lake Country – North Aberdeen Plateau Wildfire and Watershed Resilience Initiative

• EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNANCE: Prince George – Cityfest 2026

• EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE DELIVERY: Burnaby - Development Approvals Process Program

• Honourable Mention in Service Delivery: Kamloops – Riverside Park Outdoor Skating Facility

• EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY: Penticton – Urban Forestry Master Plan

Opening ceremony begins at 8:30am in Exhibit Hall A in VCC East. We will take a moment to recognize Gary MacIsaac’s 19 years of leadership as UBCM’s Executive Director as he prepares to retire at the end of September. President Cori Ramsay will provide remarks on the work UBCM has done this year, and we look forward to hearing from our keynote speaker, Anna Maria Tremonti.

Nominations for President, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice President will be accepted from the floor at 10:35am. Online voting for these positions will be open from Wednesday to 2:30pm until Thursday at 9am. Voting will be handled by Election Buddy; learn more in the app or at the Voting Support Desk. 

The UBCM Trade Show opens at 10:30am, and will host an opening reception at 4pm. 

Resolutions policy session begins at 10:40am in the main plenary hall. View the full Resolutions Book here. 

Address from the Leader of the Green Party of BC: Emily Lowan will address delegates at 11:45am in Exhibit Hall A in VCC East.

See the full day in the Program or Event App.