RR1        EQUITY IN FUNDING FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE SERVICES – Victoria

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM work with the Province of British Columbia to change the process for funding municipal police services so that municipalities with their own police forces receive the same subsidies as those who contract with the RCMP.

On motion, duly moved and seconded, that resolution be amended to add “to increase provincial funding for municipal police services” was endorsed.  The motion, as amended, then read:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM work with the Province of British Columbia to change the process for funding municipal police services to increase provincial funding for municipal police services so that municipalities with their own police forces receive the same subsidies as those who contract with the RCMP.

 ON MOTION, as amended, was ENDORSED

RR2        STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN ELECTORAL AREAS – Comox Valley RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Province of BC, through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to improve their approach for the effective management of stormwater and drainage in electoral areas within the province of BC.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

RR3        HYDRO SMART METERS – Gibsons

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request the provincial government to monitor the effects of the installation of Hydro smart meters and to assess the impacts on public health.

 WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR

PART 2 – RESOLUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE

Part 2 – Section “A”

R1            DECLARED NUISANCES – Cowichan Valley RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia be requested to introduce legislation that would allow a regional district to take measures to address ‘declared nuisances’.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R2            REDUCTIONS TO COAST GUARD MARINE RADIO/TRAFFIC  CONTROL CENTRES - Gold River, Sayward, Strathcona RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities petition the federal government to maintain the current levels of staff on watch year round at all five MCTS centres on our coast.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

 R3            DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA – Metchosin

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the appropriate government to decriminalize marijuana and research the regulation and taxation of marijuana.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R4            BAMFIELD ROAD SAFETY ISSUES
 – Alberni‐Clayoquot RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure be encouraged to work collaboratively with the logging companies, private road owners, Bamfield Road Safety Association, First Nations, local government and other local groups to address safety issues and ensure regular, consistent maintenance of the Bamfield Road.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R4A        BRITISH COLUMBIA TRANSIT ACT – View Royal

THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that legislation amending the British Columbia Transit Act subsection 25 (7) to correct the representation on the board to affect representation on the board by population.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R5            PERMISSIVE TAXATION EXEMPTION  - Parksville

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities lobby the provincial government to further amend the Health Authorities Act to immediately exclude from property tax exemption any for profit congregate care facilities located on health authority properties.

 ON MOTION, to Refer To Resolution R6, was ENDORSED

R6            TAXABLE OCCUPIERS OF HOSPITALS – View Royal

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request legislation requiring amendment to the transition provisions created by the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2011, making land and improvements in the name of hospitals but held or occupied by profit businesses that would ordinarily be taxable occupiers be taxable in the name of the taxable occupiers effective in 2012.

On motion, duly moved and seconded, that resolution be amended to read “provincial government amend the transition provisions from the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2011, to render taxable any for-profit business located on land or within properties held by a health authority, effective as of 2012” was endorsed. 

On motion, duly moved and seconded, that the amended resolution be further amended to add “non-medical, for-profit business”, was not endorsed.

The motion, as originally amended, then read:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government amend the transition provisions from the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2011, to render taxable any for-profit business located on land or within properties held by a health authority, effective as of 2012.

 ON MOTION, as amended, was ENDORSED

R7            CREATION OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING SOFTWARE – Victoria

 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities create or secure a licence for software that can be used by all British Columbia municipalities in participatory municipal budgeting processes in order to deepen citizens’ understanding of how tax dollars are spent and to seek input on spending priorities.

 ON MOTION, was NOT ENDORSED

R8            QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS – Cowichan Valley RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial Ministry of Environment take immediate steps to provide the necessary staff resources to review the reports forwarded by QEP’s so that the provincial Riparian Areas Regulation fully achieves its goal of protecting our fish habitat.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R9            EXTERIOR FULL CUT-OFF LIGHTING – Sunshine Coast RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Building and Safety Standards Branch of the Ministry of Energy and Mines be requested to amend the BC Building Code to allow, facilitate and empower local governments to require exterior full cut-off light fixtures as part of their permitting and inspection process for all new construction and major renovations.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R10         REMOVAL OF DERELICT & ABANDONED VESSELS FROM COASTAL WATERS – Ladysmith

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities call upon the federal and provincial governments to implement a Derelict Vessel Removal Program modelled after the Washington State program, and to designate the Canadian Coast Guard as the receiver of wreck in the case of every abandoned or derelict vessel in the waters of coastal British Columbia.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R11         TSUNAMI DEBRIS TO HIT WEST COAST IN 2014 – Alberni‐Clayoquot RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that coastal communities on Vancouver Island which may be impacted by the tsunami debris from Japan be involved in any federal/provincial planning processes, including representation on the Provincial Tsunami Debris Working Group that has been developed by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

 R12         BLUE CARBON CREDITS – Comox Valley RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities urge the provincial climate action secretariat to enable local governments to invest in blue carbon projects in their communities in order to meet their carbon neutral commitments under the BC Climate Action Charter.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R13         VANCOUVER ISLAND SPINE TRAIL – AVICC Executive

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities endorses in principle the concept of the Vancouver Island Spine Trail.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R14         REINSTATEMENT OF FARM FUNDING FOR DEER FENCING – Central Saanich

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be urged to reinstate funding to farms for perimeter deer fencing as part of the Environmental Farm Plan.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R15         FARM MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS – AVICC Executive

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities request that the Ministry of Agriculture develop agricultural advisory services to promote mentorship programs and peer to peer networking programs that will encourage local farmers to share their expertise with new farmers coming into the industry.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R16         INCREASED QUOTA LEVELS TO SUPPORT REGIONAL FOOD  SELF‐SUFFICIENCY – Alberni-Clayoquot RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be petitioned to amend the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act and any other piece of pertinent legislation or provincial policy to increase quota and production levels in all agricultural sectors on Vancouver Island to support regional food self‐sufficiency.

 WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR

R17         BC HYDRO RATE INCREASES  – Parksville

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities request that the Union of BC Municipalities and its local government members request the provincial government establish limits on hydro rate increases in order to ensure electrical power remains affordable for citizens and local governments across British Columbia.

 ON MOTION, was NOT ENDORSED

Part 2 – Section “B”

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that all the recommendations of the Resolutions Committee for Part 2, Section “B” Resolutions be adopted, was endorsed.

R18         DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION – Sunshine Coast RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development be urged to reconsider their position and amend section 933 of the Local Government Act to allow development cost charges to be imposed to assist local governments in funding the capital costs of fire halls and fire suppression equipment and other purposes deemed appropriate by the local government that are required as a result of increased development.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R19         GENERATING SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS – Cowichan Valley RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia work with the Union of BC Municipalities to identify mechanisms and strategies to assist in generating sustainable funding for rural fire departments.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R20         FUNDING FOR BC CONSERVATION SERVICE – Sunshine Coast RD

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Environment be urged to provide appropriate budgets and staffing to fully support the continued and sustained operation of the conservation service.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R21         SCHOOL BASED YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES – Colwood

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province support integrated services and work with school districts and local governments to provide and evaluate youth mental health services in a school setting.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

R22         HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES – Duncan, Nanaimo City, Gold River

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities urge the provincial government to end funding cuts, implement a moratorium on the closure of group homes and provide sufficient financial resources both to maintain this vital housing resource and address growing waiting lists.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

On motion, duly moved and seconded, that the following resolution from off the floor be admitted for debate, was endorsed.

RESOLUTION OFF THE FLOOR

OF1        SUPPORT FOR CATALYST PAPER – Port Alberni, Alberni Clayoquot RD    

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AVICC requests that the Province with support as required from the Government of Canada take action to assist Catalyst Paper’s survival in the following ways:

1. Make available $30 million over five years to support new hiring and high-tech training programs at Catalyst Mills.
2. Provide certainty in BC Hydro rates and take action to eliminate financial risks to Catalyst due to a switch from HST to PST on electrical purchases.
3. Release Catalyst HST credits of approximately $5million per month which are currently frozen under the CCAA process and in the interim the Province “backstop” these funds with approximately $30 million until released by the Government of Canada.
4. Provide pension regulation modifications allowing Catalyst’s pension plan members an option of surrender of their lifetime pensions in exchange for a lump sum transfer from the plan in the approximate present value of their pension.

 ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

PART 3 – LATE RESOLUTIONS

AVICC RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT ON RESOLUTIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE

A.             LATE RESOLUTIONS:  ADMIT FOR PLENARY DEBATE

LR5     SUPPORT TO RETAIN SECTION 35(1) HABITAT PROTECTION PROVISIONS OF   CANADA FISHERIES ACT  (Qualicum Beach)

B.             LATE RESOLUTIONS:  NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DEBATE

LR1 DISPOSAL OF GYPSUM CONTAINING ASBESTOS (Sunshine Coast RD)

LR2  FUNDING FOR AIRSTRIPS IN SMALL COMMUNITIES (Alert Bay)

LR3  OIL TANKER TRAFFIC IN COASTAL WATERS (Metchosin)

LR4         PROVINCIAL FUNDING FOR RURAL CYCLNG INFRASTRUCTURE (Metchosin)

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the first part of the Resolutions Committee Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline recommending that LR5 be admitted for debate was endorsed.

Resolution LR5 was then considered.

LR5            SUPPORT TO RETAIN SECTION 35(A) HABITAT PROTECTION PROVISIONS OF THE CANADA FISHERIES ACT – Qualicum Beach

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities support the retention of Section 35(1) Habitat Protection provisions of the Canada Fisheries Act.

ON MOTION, was ENDORSED

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the second part of the Resolutions Committee Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline be amended to admit resolution LR3 for debate was endorsed.

Resolution LR3 was then considered.

LR3         OIL TANKER TRAFFIC IN COASTAL WATERS – Metchosin

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities oppose projects furthering the expansion of tanker traffic through coastal waters without additional safeguards in place.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the resolution be amended to remove “without additional safeguards in place” was ruled to be not in order by the Chair as it was considered to be a different resolution than provided by in the context of the original resolution.

A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the resolution be amended to replace “additional safeguards” with “substantive increases of safeguards” was endorsed.

The resolution then read:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities oppose projects furthering the expansion of tanker traffic through coastal waters without substantive increases of safeguards in place.

ON MOTION, as amended, was ENDORSED

 A motion, duly moved and seconded, that the second part of the Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline be amended was endorsed.

The Report then read:

B.             LATE RESOLUTIONS:  NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DEBATE

LR1   DISPOSAL OF GYPSUM CONTAINING ASBESTOS (Sunshine Coast RD)

LR2   FUNDING FOR AIRSTRIPS IN SMALL COMMUNITIES (Alert Bay)

LR4   PROVINCIAL FUNDING FOR RURAL CYCLNG INFRASTRUCTURE (Metchosin)

 ON MOTION, as amended, was ADOPTED

Download the 2012 Resolutions Decisions.  Endorsed resolutions have been forwarded to UBCM.

A number of session presenters used Power Points.  The handouts for these presentations are available for download:

• Island Corridor Foundation Rail Corridor Land-use Planning Initiative Clinic
• Chair Stanhope’s FortisBC Speaking Notes
• Role of Local Governments During Oil Spill Response – Chair Sheila Malcolmson, Islands Trust
• Role of Local Governments During Oil Spill Response – Graham Knox, Ministry of Environment
• BC Aquaculture Regulatory Program – Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada
• Jobs Plan Update – Greg Goodwin, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation
• Role of BC for Aquaculture – S Herbert & K Evans, Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
• Municipal Insurance Association – Chair Teunis Westbroek
• Implementation of the Maa-nuth Treaty Within the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District – Ucluelt First Nations
• Implementation of the Maa-nulth Treaty Within the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District – Huu-ay-aht First Nations

Download the 2011 Resolutions Decisions.

A number of session presenters used Power Points.  The handouts for these presentations are available for download:

• BC Ferries Presentation
• Fortis BC Presentation
• Island Corridor Foundation
• Fisheries Panel Concurrent Workshop Session
• Vancouver Island-Coast Agricultural Outlook Project Concurrent Workshop Session
• Vancouver Island SPINE Wilderness & Multi-Use Trail Presentation
• Canada Food Inspection Agency & Centre for Plant Health Presentation
• Branding the Saanich Peninsula Presentation

Download the 2010 Endorsed Resolutions and Proposed Action Plan

A number of session presenters used Power Points.  The handouts for these presentations are available for download:

• Elections Task Force Update
• BC Hydro New Energy Technologies
• BC Ferries Update
• Municipal Insurance Association Claims Trends
• UBCM Resolutions Process Review Update
• HST and the Impact on Local Governments and Their Communities
• Carbon Neutral Local Government
• Comox Valley’s Agricultural Strategy and How It Was Implemented
• Conserving Natural Areas for Climate and Community Health

Download the UBCM discussion paper titled UBCM Resolutions Process: Discussion on Scope & Options This discussion paper was the basis of the Resolution Process Update Workshop.