UBCM Resolutions and nominations announced for September's virtual convention

The travel and expense accounts for Prince Rupert City Council members should be significantly lower this year with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities moving to a virtual convention for 2020; though the lost opportunity for one on one discussions with other municipal leaders and those of the province will no doubt be something that is missed by local municipal officials.

Still as they say the Show will go on and towards the Online version of UBCM for September the municipal organization has now finalized the list of Resolutions for this year, with many communities across the province finding their submissions approved for consideration.

Neither the City of Prince Rupert or the District of Port Edward have resolutions up for consideration as part of the Sponsorship index for this year; but North Coast Regional District does with two items up for review 

EB43 -- Grants in lieu of taxes Revisio -- Seeking changes to the Grant in lieu and payment in lieu process of property taxation.

NR65 -- Helipad Hospital construction -- Seeking legislation that future level 3 and above trauma hospitals being constructed receive funding for an onsite helipad.

A number of other Northwest Communities however did put forward a range of potential talking points and have found success in having the following resolutions now up for consideration next month.

Bulkley-Nechako Regional District

EB70 -- Internet and Cel Phone service

NR24 -- Active Transportation

NR 55 -- Cardboard Recycling

C 10 -- Municipal Solid Waste - ICI EPR program

Burns Lake

EB49 -- Invasive Species Funding

NR20 -- Private LiquorStore Moratorium

NR 57 -- Invasive Species Act

NR 79 -- Post Secondary Education in Rural Communities

Hazelton 

EB37 -- BC Gaming Grant

Kitimat

NR39 -- Engaging Northern and Remote Communities on New Programs

Smithers

EB87 -- Assistance with Step Code implementation

Stewart 

EB 17 -- Transportation Services for Rural and Remote Communities

Terrace 

SR10 -- Minimal Barrier Shelter Standards

NR18 -- Needle Retrieval and Disposal program

NR 62 -- Re-Evaluation  of Outpatient model

You can review the synopsis for each of the above from the 2020 UBCM Resolution booklet.

Also part of UBCM week will be the vote on a new executive membership and other positions.

From the Northwest only two candidates stand in nomination: 

City of Terrace Councillor, Sean Bujtas nominated for a Director at Large Position

Central Coast Regional District Director Travis Hall, nominated for a Director at Large Position

UBCM organizers have also shared some news towards a keynote speaker for the event, announcing that the highly acclaimed an internationally recognized author Margaret Atwood will speak to the convention.

An event which current UBCM President Maya Tait notes should bring focus to the issues to be reviewed during the week.

“When I think of the contributions of Canadian artists to public thought and awareness, Margaret Atwood is unsurpassed. Over the course of her career she has helped us more clearly see and understand the forces that shape human experience and the health of the planet. Matters of governance, and how societies organize to deal with perceived threats, are woven throughout her work. We are very fortunate to have her input to the 2020 Convention.”

You can learn more about this years convention here.

The UBCM event takes place from September 21st-24th

We will track the developments from the week of municipal politics from our archive page here.

For more notes related to Prince Rupert City Council see our archive page here.