2015 Convention Program

Download the Delegate Supplementary Materials Package

Download the 2015 AVICC AGM & Convention Brochure

Download the 2015 Convention Program

Download the 2015 Annual Report & Resolutions Book

The Program Format

Based on a successful tradition, the 2015 program will integrate the regular business of the annual general meeting, debate on resolutions and holding of elections with a variety of presentations and workshops on topical issues, addresses by key political speakers and opportunities for networking. In order to accommodate emergent issues the program does not become final until just prior to the AGM & Convention.

The Business Sessions of the Convention and the Annual Banquet will be held at the Florence Filberg Centre.  The Friday evening Welcome Reception will be held at the Native Sons Hall and the Saturday pre-banquet reception will be at the Courtenay Museum.

Please note: The Program for Convention is subject to change to respond to programming issues as they arise.  It will be finalized just before Convention.

Program in Brief

The following is the typical program format for AVICC Conventions:

6:15 pm           Reception, Dinner & Entertainment

Keynote Speaker

Tonia S. Winchester
Former Deputy Campaign Director, Washington State Initiative 502

Marijuana legalization is an important topic facing Vancouver Island and its surrounding communities. With Washington state just across the border implementing a state-wide recreational marijuana system and the launch of  Canada’s nationwide medical marijuana mail-to-order program (MMPR), the issue is even more pressing. What are the challenges of implementing full legalization, and how should communities start addressing the topic? What worked in Washington State, and how does the current system in Canada actually operate? Tonia will provide an overview of the Washington state campaign, the current MMPR model, and will answer your questions about what your community needs to be thinking about as you approach the Canadian federal elections this year.

Tonia is a former Seattle Prosecutor who worked as Deputy Campaign Director, Washington State Initiative 502 that successfully legalized marijuana in Washington State by a 56-44 margin in November of 2012. Her role included forging alliances and getting endorsements from many groups traditionally seen as hostile to marijuana reform, as well as speaking across the state advocating for a new approach to Washington State’s marijuana laws.

Most recently Tonia led the initial operational team that established and managed the Tilray medical marijuana production facility in Nanaimo, British Columbia – one of the largest medical marijuana production facilities in all of Canada. Tonia continues to speak across both the US and Canada advocating for the responsible and regulated legalization of cannabis, as well as working to help ethical and progressive businesses get established within the cannabis industry.

Tonia received her B.A. from the University of Washington and graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law.

Political Speakers

Invitations have been extended to Premier Christy Clark; Leader of the Official Opposition Mr. John Horgan; Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes and UBCM President, Burnaby Councillor Sav Dhaliwal.  Mr. Horgan will address delegates on Saturday morning and UBCM President Dhaliwal will speak on Sunday morning.  Premier Clark has sent her regrets.

Saturday Morning Working Breakfast

Regulation of Forest Management Activities on Private Managed Forest Land

The Managed Forest Council will discuss its role as the regulator of forest management practices on private managed forest land. The session will provide delegates with specific knowledge on the Managed Forest Program, its provincial mandate and the effectiveness of its professional reliance model in protecting five key resource areas on private managed forest land. The presentation is designed to answer questions elected officials may have around Council regulatory standards and how an owner’s performance around these standards are evaluated through its ongoing inspection and investigation program.

Presenter:  Rod Davis, Chair, Managed Forest Council

Plenary Presentations and Concurrent Workshops

Future of Coastal Ferry Services

For decades, local governments have been concerned about the negative impacts of coastal ferry fare increases on their communities. In 2014, concerns intensified with fare increases, the implementation of provincially-mandated service cuts to lifeline ferry routes, and the release of the UBCM report Boatswains to the Bollards: A Socioeconomic Impact Analysis of BC Ferries that documented the serious socioeconomic impacts caused by high ferry fares. This session will provide an overview of the BC Ferry Commissioner’s preliminary decision for price caps that will apply to coastal ferry fares for 2016-2020 and resulting potential implications. It will also provide background on the Coastal Regional District Chairs Group’s work and recent meetings with the Minister and the Ferry Commissioner.  This session is intended to stimulate a lively discussion about visions for the coastal ferry service from 2016 forward, and next steps for local government to consider as the provincial government reviews the Commissioners Report and the Coastal Ferry Services Contract with BC Ferries from April to June 30.

Presenters:     Colin Palmer, Director of the Powell River Regional District, Chair of the Regional District Coastal Ferry Group and AVICC Director and Alison Morse, Bowen Island Municipal Councillor, Island Trust Trustee and Co-Chair of the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs

Whose Covering Your Assets?

Local governments’ linear assets are the foundation on which our communities are built. The immediate and long term successful recovery and rebuilding efforts following a natural catastrophe are critical to health, safety and community wellbeing.  There is no insurance to cover the cost of repairs, so reliance is currently placed on funding from senior levels of government. Yet funding gaps in disaster programs will produce significant unfunded liabilities at the local government level. These gaps can be addressed with measured funding and established risk financing techniques. This session will focus on identifying those funding gaps, assessing their magnitude, and implementing mitigation techniques.

Presenter:  Tom Barnes, CEO and General Counsel, Municipal Insurance Association

Why Municipal Support is Necessary: Building Strong Communities through Affordable Housing

With greater proportions of our population living in core housing need (221,470 of British Columbia households in Core Housing Need in 2006 and 23% of all British Columbia households are paying more than 50% of their income on rent in 2014), compounded by limited funds and shrinking federal government support for housing, non-profit organizations are experiencing increased pressure to service our vulnerable sector with inadequate support. This session is a push for action by local governments to positively utilize their planning power to advance affordable housing initiatives. This session will provide an overview of why effective collaboration between municipal governments and non-profits is necessary, and will highlight specific ways municipal governments can support non-profits in developing affordable housing.

Presenters:  Kevin Albers, CEO and Kaela Schramm, Director of Projects and Planning, M’akola Development Services

Wastewater Treatment/Resource Recovery Advances

An advanced wastewater treatment facility, Sechelt’s Water Recource Centre (WRC) is designed to process wastewater into dewatered biosolids suitable for composting and high quality effluent water suitable for a wide range of reuses. State of the art technology and innovation in design reduce both pollutant discharge and operating costs. With noise and odour minimization, a compact footprint and appealing design, the WRC is integrated into a park space that complements the adjacent nature reserve and residential community. Removal of hormones and pharmaceuticals from effluent water using biochar made from the biosolids is slated to be tested at the WRC in 2015.

Presenter:  Paul Nash, Project Coordinator, Sechelt Water Resource Centre

Planning for Island-wide Intermodal Transportation

Whether the focus is rapid transit in Greater Victoria, container shipping in Nanaimo, LNG in Port Alberni, passenger/cargo rail, export capacity, BC Ferry schedules, new road proposals, airport expansions, public transit efficiencies, foot passenger ferries, peak session shipping capacity, or barging solid waste, it is time for a comprehensive intermodal transportation plan to turn what is widely viewed as an ‘Island liability’ into an economic advantage. Our panel of experts will engage your ideas as we work toward a prioritized plan to improve connectiveness, efficiency and accessibility.

Panel Members:  George Hanson, President, VIEA; Dave Willie, VIEA Director, Member of VIEA Transportation Committee, and former Qualicum Beach Councillor; Josie Osborne,Tofino Mayor and Alberni-Clayoquot RD Chair; Fred Bigelow, CEO, Comox Airport Commission; and Bernie Dumas, President & CEO, Nanaimo Port Authority

Converting Waste to Energy:  How does it work? How does it fit? What does it cost? What are the impacts?

This information session will provide a high-level overview of energy extraction from the residual waste stream after recycling. Firstly, technologies will be discussed, from the conventional burning for heat, through the making of fuel from the waste, to the less conventional conversion of waste into burnable gas. We will see how waste to energy fits into an integrated waste management program, and how it might add value and what it could cost. Potential impacts, such as air pollution and ash disposal will be looked at as well as the greenhouse gas balance. Finally we hope to help you answer the question: Should this be something we believe is good for our community and society?

Presenter:  Konrad Fichtner, P. Eng., Morrison Hershfield

Open Space Workshop

Open Space is an interactive opportunity for conference participants to seize control of the agenda and talk about the topics that matter to you – so come armed with ideas, questions, and an open mind, and follow the law of two feet: If you find yourself in a situation where you are not contributing or learning, move somewhere where you can.”

Facilitator:  AVICC Director and Port Hardy Councillor Jessie Hemphill