The AVICC was actively engaged at the 2025 UBCM Convention in Victoria, leveraging the event to advance advocacy initiatives and strengthen relationships to support regional collaboration. Staff participated in meetings with other Area Associations and other organizations, coordinated with local partners for future events, and gathered valuable feedback from members to inform ongoing collective action.
2025 Minister Meetings
Ministry of Forests – PMFL Advocacy
A key advocacy meeting was held with Minister of Forests, Hon. Ravi Parmar, focusing on concerns about Private Managed Forest Lands (PMFL), particularly around forest management, watershed security, and biodiversity conservation. The Cowichan Valley RD sponsored a regional resolution on this issue endorsed at the 2025 AVICC Convention and there have been over 25 resolutions endorsed at AVICC and UBCM over the past 20 years on this matter. Although the Minister confirmed that updates to the PMFL Act are not currently part of the Ministry’s mandate, he expressed openness to further engagement, including a proposed tour of the Cowichan Valley watersheds. Since the convention, AVICC has facilitated two follow-up meetings with participants from Cowichan Valley RD, RD Nanaimo, and Comox Valley RD to discuss collaborative next steps. These meetings identified the need to reach out to other regional districts across the province facing similar PMFL management challenges and focus near term advocacy on improving data sharing from PMF lands and regulation through other applicable legislation such as the Water Sustainability Act.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit – IRC Upgrades for Emergency Access to the West Coast of Vancouver Island
Another significant meeting took place with Minister of Transportation, Hon. Mike Farnworth, regarding the Island Rail Corridor (IRC) in support of a regional resolution sponsored by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) at the 2025 AVICC AGM. The discussion centered on upgrading a section of the IRC for emergency access—a solution highlighted after the 2023 wildfires. In 2025, there were two devastating wildfires in the region, resulting in the destruction of trestle bridges and infrastructure on the existing IRC. It has been determined that the cost to repair and replace damaged trestle bridges had escalated significantly, making the original solution less viable. AVICC has offered ongoing support as the region determines the best path forward.
Ministry of Finance
AVICC Directors and staff also met with Minister of Finance, Hon. Brenda Bailey, and the North Coast Regional District to discuss two resolutions: expanding the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to smaller communities and eliminating the Port Tax Cap for local governments. The Minister did not provide information about next steps.
2025 AVICC Luncheon at UBCM
The annual AVICC luncheon was a highlight of the convention, welcoming 250 regional members and over a dozen Provincial MLAs at the historic Crystal Gardens. The program featured an address from Minister of Health Hon. Josie Osborne, an advocacy update from AVICC President Geselbracht, speeches by AVICC members running for the UBCM Executive, and remarks from Victoria Mayor Alto about the upcoming 2026 Convention.
UBCM Elections
To increase AVICC representation on the UBCM Executive, staff organized strategy meetings and distributed communications to encourage voter participation. Despite technical difficulties that shifted voting to in-person paper ballots, AVICC secured one elected Director-at-Large position for Cumberland Mayor Vickey Brown, and one appointed position for its President. We would like to thank the AVICC members who courageously put their names forward for nomination: Director Penny Cote – Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Councillor Will Cole-Hamilton from the City of Courtenay and Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District, Councillor Tony St-Pierre from the District of Sooke, and Councillor Sarah Fowler from the Village of Tahsis. In response to advocacy from AVICC and other associations, UBCM has announced a governance review aimed at creating a more balanced Executive Board, to take place in 2026.
Additional AVICC Advocacy in 2025
Since the convention, AVICC has continued its advocacy work, including follow up meetings on Minister Meetings. In late-November 2025, AVICC hosted a webinar discussion of the Cowichan Tribes vs Canada Case facilitated by Reece Harding. The association is also planning future education and discussion sessions, including a focused dialogue on local government housing corporations. These initiatives underscore AVICC’s commitment to representing member interests and advancing regional priorities through sustained engagement and strategic action.
