BC Throne Speech Highlights
On February 8th, Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the next session of the Legislature. The speech outlined steps taken by the provincial government to address the impacts of Covid-19 on British Columbians as well as commitments for the coming year on housing, reconciliation, climate change and land management. Read more
Update on RCMP Collective Agreement
The federal government intends to deliver correspondence to contract partners in the coming weeks, providing cost projections associated with the new RCMP collective bargaining agreement. Despite this action, UBCM continues to request that the federal government cover all retroactive costs associated with the implementation of the collective agreement. Read more
Electoral Area Directors’ Forum agenda

The Electoral Area Directors’ Forum agenda has been finalized and is available on the UBCM website. This event will take place on April 5 and 6 at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond, BC. Read more
Regional District CAO and Chair Forum

The Regional District CAO and Chair Forum returns in 2022 as an in-person event, on March 22 (afternoon) and March 23 (morning). The event will be held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC. Please register by March 11, 2022. Read more
Funding & resources update
Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events, and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations. Read more
Provincial Indigenous housing strategy

The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) has released BC’s first Provincial Urban Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. This strategy outlines a 10-year plan to address the housing needs of off-reserve Indigenous people in BC, including an implementation plan that identifies funding, resources and activities for successful implementation. Interested local governments can contact Cliff Grant, AHMA Director of Strategic Relations regarding Housing Needs Assessments and Indigenous content.
Driver’s licence number changes

ICBC has announced plans to increase the length of new driver’s licence numbers (DLNs). Numbers on existing driver licences are seven (7) digits and will not change; but beginning in 2023, numbers assigned for new driver licences will be eight (8) digits. Indigenous and local governments are encouraged to consider whether this change could impact their information systems and business operations. Read more
Active Transportation in Small Towns
The BC Alliance for Healthy Living has completed their final report on active transportation in small towns. The report aims to improve understanding of how small communities can increase active transportation and realize its health benefits; and features six small town leaders in active transportation from across BC.