The following resolutions were considered at the 2019 UBCM Convention, and are of particular interest to FMCBC members:
B45 Funding for BC Parks Management (Pemberton)
Whereas the negative impacts to lower mainland Provincial parks and Crown Land recreation areas continue to occur due to increasing tourism and limited funding;
Therefore, be it resolved that that the Province be requested to allocate additional funding to managing BC Parks, specifically Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, and Crown Land recreation areas in the Sea to Sky Corridor and Lower Mainland.
Endorsed by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association
UBCM Resolutions Committee recommendation: Endorse
UBCM Resolutions Committee comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has supported the allocation of additional funding to BC Parks, but not previously considered a resolution specifying that additional funding be allocated for the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and Lower Mainland BC Parks and Crown Land recreation areas.
However, the Committee notes that the membership most recently endorsed 2018-B72 which requests more funding from the Province for provincial parks and backcountry areas to help offset the negative impacts to the environment of increasing tourism. Unlike the current resolution, 2018-B72 was seeking funding for provincial parks and backcountry areas located throughout the province.
The Committee also notes that the membership has consistently endorsed resolutions seeking more provincial funding and maintenance of provincial parks, including 2011-B49, 2004-B22, 2004-B23, 2002-B86.
B48 Private Commercial Forest Land Regulations and Standards (Fernie, Nelson)
Whereas many local governments in rural BC are surrounded by significant amounts of forested private land; And whereas local governments are expected to manage the assets that support the value of their communities which include sight line, municipal infrastructure, slope stability of land, and watersheds .
Therefore, be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Province to implement regulations and standards that are equivalent to Crown forest land regulations and standards that address forest harvesting for commercial purposes on private lands.
Endorsed by the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments
UBCM Resolutions Committee recommendation: Endorse
UBCM Resolutions Committee comments:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions asking the Province to regulate private land logging in the same manner as crown land and to ensure that local governments are consulted in advance of harvesting to prevent damage to watersheds and other infrastructure (2018-B42, 2018-B41, 2013-B112, 2011-B50, 2010-B26, 2009-B41, 2008-B34, 2006-B102, 2005-B27, 1997-B61, 1994-B82, 1991-B16).The Committee would note that the Province is conducting a review of the PMFLP and is seeking feedback from the public until July 22. See also resolution B46
B50 Recreation Sites and Trails (Sunshine Coast RD)
Whereas provincial recreation sites and trails are highly valued community assets which are important to the provincial tourism economy and require dedicated, coordinated and ongoing management; And whereas provincial funding provided through recreation sites and trails agreements has been significantly decreasing over the years, while local governments and non-profit community partners are becoming increasingly challenged to adequately manage the ongoing maintenance, operation and service demands required due to a lack of resources:
Therefore, be it resolved that the provincial government be urged to increase funding provided through recreation sites and trails partnership agreements to ensure local governments and community partners are properly resourced and have the necessary support required to be effective in their role as managers, caretakers and stewards of BC’s provincial recreation assets.
Not presented to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities
UBCM Resolutions Committee recommendation: Endorse
UBCM Resolutions Committee comments:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has endorsed resolutions calling on the Province to provide appropriate resources (funding, staffing) to support the continued and sustained operation of provincial parks, recreational sites and trails and backcountry areas (2018-B45, 2018-B72, 2011-B49, 2003-B28, 2003-B94, 2001-B84).
B51 Backcountry Closures (Sicamous)
Whereas many local governments and communities rely on backcountry industries (e.g. forestry, tourism) for economic stability and development, and at the same time, those local governments and communities care about sustaining and protecting the environment; And whereas some communities find their backcountry areas closed to all users, based on reports and recommendations of higher levels of government, without notice to communities, first nations, regional & local governments as well as industry;
Therefore, be it resolved that UBCM work with the provincial and federal governments to ensure that there are no further closures of backcountry areas in BC, until and unless the local governments, stakeholders and communities are consulted on social and economic impact, and a sustainable solution for both be considered.
Endorsed by the Southern Interior Local Government Association
UBCM Resolutions Committee recommendation: Endorse
UBCM Resolutions Committee comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously requested that the federal and provincial governments consult with local governments, stakeholders and communities on social and economic impacts before making decisions on back country closures. However, the Committee notes that local governments have consistently requested greater consultation and engagement on land use decisions that will affect or impact their communities (2014-B88, 2011-B100, 2009-B136, 2003-B88, 2001-A9).
B57 Parking Enforcement in Rural Areas (Sunshine Coast RD )
Whereas the RCMP are responsible for enforcing parking regulations in rural areas which takes policing resources away from other priorities; And whereas the provincial response to UBCM Resolution 2014-B102 requesting that regional districts be granted the authority to enforce parking regulations within their boundaries indicated that further research was required prior to undertaking any policy change:
Therefore, be it resolved that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General jointly review parking enforcement in the rural areas to either provide regional districts with the authority to enforce parking regulations within their boundaries or to adequately resource rural detachments to ensure that community safety issues related to illegal parking are addressed.
Endorsed by the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities
UBCM Resolutions Committee recommendation: Endorse
UBCM Resolutions Committee comments:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has endorsed a similar resolution 2014-B102 which called for regional districts to be granted the authority to enforce parking regulations within their boundaries. In response, the Province acknowledged that the Motor Vehicle Act does not provide regional districts the same UBCM 2019 Resolutions Book136 authority as municipalities to regulate parking within their boundaries. They indicated that further research was required to determine if there is a specific reason for excluding regional districts.
This proposed resolution calls for the additional review/research mentioned in the response from the Province in 2014 and then asks the Province to either grant the regional districts the authority or to provide additional resources for rural RCMP detachments to enforce parking regulations.
