2005 Resolutions

Year: 2005 Category: Extraordinary Resolution Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Incorporation of AVICC

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities endorse the application to establish the Association under the Society in accordance with the attached Constitution;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the attached Bylaws (as printed in the Annual Report) govern the AVICC between its formation as a society and the first annual meeting.

Year: 2005 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Drug Courts

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM work with the provincial government to urge the federal government to supply adequate funding for drug treatment courts in all areas of British Columbia and accessible to all British Columbians.

Year: 2005 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: NOT Endorsed by AVICC Resolutions: Provincial Open Fire Ban

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to amend the appropriate legislation to provide that when an open fire ban is established by the British Columbia Forest Service to be in effect province-wide or in specific areas of the province, that no other authority be allowed to supercede that ban even in areas regulated by local government burning bylaws and privately owned commercial campgrounds, without exceptions.

Year: 2005 Category: Environment Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Salmon Enhancement Programs

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities on behalf of the people and local governments it represents, requests that the Prime Minister of Canada direct the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to re-instate funding to the Salmon Enhancement Program;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities also request that the Prime Minister of Canada direct the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to initiate no further substantive changes to the Salmon Enhancement Program funding or production without a thorough and rigorous consultation process with local government, interest groups and all fisheries stakeholders.

Year: 2005 Category: Environment Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Harbour Protection – Derelict Vessels

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strongly recommend to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard, the provincial Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection and Land and Water BC that immediate action be taken to remove any derelict vessels that have been unoccupied for a period of six months or longer from the harbours of any coastal communities requesting such action.

Year: 2005 Category: Finance Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Municipal Insurance Association Service Review

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities request that MIA conduct a full review of its services to ensure it is meeting the needs of the membership.

Year: 2005 Category: Finance Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Federal Farm Tax

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities support the FCM proposal regarding distribution of the federal fuel tax with the proviso that funds be allotted to electoral areas on the same basis as municipalities.

Year: 2005 Category: Finance Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Affordable Housing

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities urge the Union of BC Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the provincial and federal governments to make available new monies to address the shortage of affordable housing which is being felt in communities across this province.

Year: 2005 Category: Finance Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Provincial Housing Program

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities call on the provincial government to reinstate the Homes BC program or similar comprehensive housing program to deliver much needed affordable and appropriate housing for seniors, low income families and individuals and those with special needs.

Year: 2005 Category: Governance Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Including Coastal Communities in Policy Decisions

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that both the federal and provincial governments recognize that the health and wealth of coastal communities is a central objective in their mandate, and that they explicitly address the costs and benefits of different options on coastal communities, and choose options that address the potential costs and secure long term benefits;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that both the federal and provincial governments include coastal communities in policy decisions that may impact coastal communities, and meaningfully address our concerns and interests;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED that we meet with federal and provincial elected representatives and civil servants from various departments to discuss strategies and policy approaches that will explicitly address the loss of access and benefits within communities.

Year: 2005 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Registration of Notice of Natural Hazard on Property

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the provincial government to amend the Land Title Act to allow local governments to file a notice of a natural hazard on the title of a property within the jurisdiction of the local government.

Year: 2005 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Dangerous Dogs

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia consider an amendment to the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to include the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the breeding and care of animals in British Columbia, to be applied to all dog breeders, dog pounds, shelters and pet stores selling dogs:

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia investigate the implementation of a system of monitoring, accessible to all animal control agencies, municipal police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, that will track individuals who repeatedly keep aggressive dogs, including substantially punitive fines and penalties for repeat offenders.

Year: 2005 Category: Legislation Status: NOT Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Safe Streets Act

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities ask the BC government to rescind the Safe Streets Act:

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the province is asked to adequately fund community agencies to deal with the issues of poverty, addiction and homelessness.

Year: 2005 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Federal Court of Appeal Decision on Municipal Employees in RCMP Detachments

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities request the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Canada take action to maintain municipal employees as support staff for RCMP municipal contract policing services; and further, that if this matter should go before the Supreme Court of Canada that the City of Nanaimo and all other municipalities affected be granted intervener status.

Year: 2005 Category; Land Use Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Crown Tenures

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government ensures that the appropriate zoning for the applied-for use is in place prior to any Crown tenure being granted.

Year: 2005 Category: Tourism Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Funding For Visitor Information Centres

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities urge the provincial government to provide increased funding for community Visitor Information Centres, via Tourism BC, from $1.15 million per year to at least $3 million per year, in accordance with the recommendation of the November 2004 review of VICs undertaken by the BC Chamber of Commerce.

Year: 2005 Category: Assessment/Taxation Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Property Tax Exemptions

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities urge the Provincial Government to amend the Taxation (Rural Area) Act to require approval of the local government in which the property is located prior to granting or denying an exemption or major change under Section 15(1)(q);

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities request that BC Assessment be required to provide a list of existing exemptions under this section to the applicable local governments for review and approval.

Year: 2005 Category: Health Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Care Home Funding Formula

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities seek the commitment of the Vancouver Island Health Authority to fully fund any formula developed;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities seek the commitment of the Vancouver Island Health Authority that the formula recognize the excess care costs of individuals with extreme care needs, whether because of severe dementia and psycho geriatric systems or physical and medical conditions.

Year: 2005 Category: Health Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Residential Care Beds

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities call on the provincial government to provide adequate capital resources to re-open or build sufficient residential care beds to meet the demand on Vancouver Island and across BC.

Year: 2005 Category: Community Safety Status: Withdrawn by Sponsor Resolution: Fire Fighting Equipment Standards

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities work with WCB to forge new fire fighting equipment standards that recognize the circumstances of small municipalities and volunteer fire departments.

Year: 2005 Category: Community Safety Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Responding To The Threat Of Tsunamis

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities request that the provincial Utilities Commission and the British Columbia Transmission Corporation ensure that the next update to this plan identify tsunamis as a “managed risk program” with a commitment to analyze the risk, prioritize action and schedule the implementation of priorities, with full consultation with our Coastal Communities.

Year: 2005 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: UBCM Convention Be Affordable For All

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the UBCM reduce the convention registration fees and that accommodation expenses be reduced by holding the convention outside of both high and shoulder tourist season.

Year: 2005 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: UBCM Convention Days

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities support the City of Courtenay resolution that UBCM Annual Conventions be held over a weekend, similar to the Annual Federal of Canadian Municipalities Convention.

Year: 2005 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Request For Opportunity To Meet with Federal Officials

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AVICC and UBCM invite federal ministers and senior officials, in ministries relevant to the members, to attend annual conferences and to request that the ministers/officials be available for appointments with local government representatives.

Year: 2005 Category: Expanded Gambling in BC Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Expanded Gambling in BC

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities urge the BC government to halt the expansion of gambling and reduce the increased levels that have occurred since 2001.

Year: 2005 Category: Prawn Fishery Quota Resolution: Prawn Fishery Quota

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities petition the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to consult with affected communities on the proposal to introduce a quota system in the BC prawn fishery or other BC Fisheries as it will reduce employment and revenues in many coastal communities when other options, other than a quota, may be available.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Assessment of Properties Deemed Contaminated

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the assessor under the Assessment Act be required to value a commercial or industrial undertaking as a property of a going concern if a business or activity is carried on at that property;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Section 19(4) of the Assessment Act clearly state that the valuation of the land and improvements of a commercial or industrial undertaking will take into consideration present use and revenue or rental value considerations where it is still a going concern.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Centre

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities support the Mountain Sport Society in their application to Legacies Now for funding of a Nordic International Training Centre at Mount Washington.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Withdrawn by Sponsor Resolution: Capita; Region Emergency Services Telecommunication Costs

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities request that the federal government and provincial government provide financial support to the members for the Capital Region Emergency Services Telecommunications.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolutions: Grow Operations – BC Hydro

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities correspond with the Province of BC, requesting that it require BC Hydro to release records to the RCMP and other police departments so that the detection of grow operations in the province of British Columbia can be simplified.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Aquatic Management Board

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities respectfully requests the Prime Minister of Canada to reaffirm the commitment of the federal government to the purpose and principles of the West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board (”AMB”);

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the federal portion of AMB funding be provided not solely from the Pacific Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada but also from agencies such as Indian and Northern Affairs, Western Diversification, and Environment Canada, in order to better reflect the broad nature of the AMB’s integrated management activities.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: NOT Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Funding For Failed Septic Systems

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLED THAT the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities ask the Provincial Government to enact a no interest, long term loan program for repair, upgrading or replacement of septic systems that have failed or are in the process of failing.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Facilities For Release Of Offenders

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that senior levels of government, both elected and administrative, create facilities through a clear and consultative process with communities in a manner that both recognizes and balances the rights of the individual and the community.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: East Vancouver Island Crown Land

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities respectfully request that Land and Water BC maintain a no net loss of Crown land within the E & N Land Grant on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Year: 2005 Category: Late Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVICC Resolution: Safer Cities/Safety Communities Strategy

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities ask the BC government to develop and adequately fund over the long-term a Safer Cities/Safer Communities strategy, with a focus on harm reduction and prevention programs;

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that this strategy include a well-developed, intelligent series of public education seminars to be delivered by the province across BC to build the knowledge base and community capacity to implement these programs.

The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the 
Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples