Part 1 – UBCM 2010 DISPOSITION OF RESOLUTIONS SPONSORED BY AVICC MEMBERS
All endorsed resolutions have been conveyed to the relevant provincial and federal government department, or other organizations as appropriate. Responses have not been received at the time of printing this report. Sponsors will be notified of responses as they are received, and responses will be posted on www.ubcm.ca.
Section B1– Contains resolutions that have been previously considered and endorsed; or are in keeping with UBCM General Policy or other major previously approved policy documents.
B2 SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM – District of Sechelt
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B26 RIPARIAN AREA PROTECTION ON PRIVATE FOREST LANDS – Parksville
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B30 DERELICT & ABANDONED VESSELS, BARGES & DOCKS – AVICC Executive
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B36 PARKLAND DEDICATION – Metchosin
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B37 TREATY SETTLEMENT COSTS – Colwood
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B39 MEAT REGULATIONS – North Saanich
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B42 SUPPORT FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS – Sechelt
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B48 ARTS & CULTURE FUNDING – Powell River RD and Powell River City
Convention Decision: Endorsed
Section B2 – Resolutions that address topics not previously considered; were previously considered but not endorsed; involve topics of local or regional significance; involve topics of national significance and recommended as appropriate, for consideration by FCM.
B70 PHYSICAL ACCESS FOR DISABLE PASSENGERS – AVICC Executive
Convention Decision: Endorsed and Referred to FCM
Federal Response to AVICC: Ministry Of Transport, Infrastructure And Communities
In Canada, the federal government has established accessibility standards for all modes of transportation under federal jurisdiction. This is accomplished through the use of a variety of policy instruments, including regulations, codes of practice and guidelines.
An active monitoring and compliance program supports the implementation of Canada’s regulations, codes and guidelines. This ongoing monitoring of the transportation system, along with the results of the last independent review of the Canada Transportation Act in 2001, indicates that significant progress has been made in removing undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities, and that, while some accessibility issues remain, this policy approach is proving to be successful.
With respect to the accessibility of passenger rail cars, the Passenger Rail Car Accessibility Code of Practice provisions came into effect on April 1, 2001, and state as follows:
Eventually, every passenger train that provides sleeping car facilities should have at least one sleeping car that has at least one wheelchair-accessible room. Until such time as this goal is reached, any newly manufactured sleeping car ordered, purchased or leased by a rail carrier to be used on or after April 1, 2001, or any existing sleeping car undergoing major refurbishment to be used on or after that same date, should satisfy the accessibility criteria.
I should note that passenger rail cars used in western transcontinental rail service are currently undergoing major refurbishment and will re-enter service in compliance with the Code. The Renaissance rail passenger cars, which are employed in the Toronto-Halifax corridor, are also now undergoing modification so that they too will be in full compliance with the Code when they return to service.
Provincial Response to AVICC: Ministry Of Transportation And Infrastructure
All transit users in British Columbia now have access to low floor buses that can easily accommodate passengers travelling with wheelchairs and scooters, and design guidelines have been adopted to ensure that mobility impaired persons can be accommodated at bus stops. HandyDART, Taxi Saver and Taxi Supplement programs are also available for persons unable to use the regular bus system.
British Columbia’s taxpayers contribute $20 million a year to help keep ferry rates affordable for the disabled, eligible seniors, students and those travelling for medical reasons. Where possible, BC Ferries provides mobility-impaired persons with preferred special vehicle loading, elevator service, specially equipped washrooms and preferred parking.
The Passenger Transportation Board, an independent tribunal, makes decisions on applications for taxis, limousines and inter-city bus licences. The Board has established a policy to encourage the increased number and availability of accessible taxis in urban communities.
B74 EXPANSION OF INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE MAJOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FACILITIES – Central Saanich
Convention Decision: Endorsed and Referred to FCM
B79 SOUTHERN STRAIT OF GEORGIA NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA RESERVE – Islands Trust
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B110 BC FERRIES SUBSIDY – Metchosin
Convention Decision: Endorsed
B131 INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS FUND – Sunshine Coast RD
Convention Decision: Withdrawn
Section C2 – Resolutions that were referred to other resolutions that were considered for debate.
C2 PRIME BC – North Cowichan
Convention Decision: Not Admitted for Debate
C5 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING – Sunshine Coast RD
Convention Decision: Not Admitted for Debate
C6 RELEASE OF LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA SITES INFORMATION – Sooke
Convention Decision: Not Admitted for Debate
C15 CANADA GOOSE POPULATION – North Saanich
Convention Decision: Not Admitted for Debate
Part 2 – RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO AVICC EXECUTIVE FOR ACTION BECAUSE OF THEIR REGIONAL NATURE
LR12 RAIL TERMINUS IN NANAIMO – AVICC Executive
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT AVICC support the establishment of the main rail terminus in Nanaimo and the proposed two train early morning southbound schedule as a first step in providing improved rail service on Vancouver Island, and encourages VIARail to increase the operating subsidy necessary for this to occur.
AVICC Convention Decision: Endorsed.
Response: Awaiting response from ViaRail.
LR13 COASTAL DOUGLAS FIR MOIST MARITIME LAND USE – AVICC Executive
WHEREAS a logging application has been submitted to Calvin Ross at South Island Forest District in Port Alberni to log the Nanoose Wetland Forest (DL33).
WHEREAS even small parcels like DL33 make important contributions to conservation of coastal Douglas Fir and contains the only remaining intact watershed of any tributary supplying Nanoose Creek, a wild salmon stream.
WHEREAS BC Environment Ministry confirm that nearly every type of Old Growth Douglas Fir Forest on BC dry coastal plain is now rare or endangered.
WHEREAS the coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem that once dominated the Georgia Basin now teetered at the brink of extinction and most of what does remain is the responsibility of British Columbians.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT AVICC request that the Ministry of Environment to allow for the Coastal Douglas Fir Moist Maritime land use order to follow its proper public consultation and ministerial development course and process.
AVICC Convention Decision: Endorsed.
Response: Ministry Of Forests
The province is well aware of the concerns related to the Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Zone and government has taken significant steps to ensure protection of this and other important ecosystems. In December, the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) advertised a draft land use order to protect up to 1,600 hectares of the Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem on southern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The public review and comment period on the land use order closed on February 15, 2010. I understand that many local residents have asked that DL33 be included in the proposal Coastal Douglas Fir land use order. ILMB are currently reviewing all submissions received and will incorporate, where appropriate, suggested change to the land-use objectives. We expect a decision on the land use order in the near future. Once the final decision is made it will be publicly communicated.