UBCM convention to feature health panel on recent Extreme heat event in British Columbia

With the 2021 edition of the UBCM Convention just a few weeks away now, a timely item for discussion has been added to the Agenda for the week of virtual convention going, with convention organizers announcing a new workshop panel that will tackle the issue of the recent extreme heat event in the province.

In an announcement released on Wednesday, UBCM officials relayed the make up of a six member panel to address the issue

Taking part in the conversation will be Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry joining them will be Dr. Sarah Henderson, Science reporter Johanna Wagstaffe along with two Municipal politicians in BC, Councillor Patrick Johnstone of New Westminster and Mayor Barbara Roden of Ashcroft.

They will review what has been learned in response to the 2021 heat dome, which resulted in a large volume of heat related deaths during the period of the most extreme temperatures.

In their preview of what the forum will explore, the UBCM notes:

Earlier this year, the province experienced an extreme heat wave, leading to unprecedented temperatures and more than 570 heat-related fatalities. 

All orders of government were left scrambling to address the immediate impacts, while long-standing systemic vulnerabilities (e.g., emergency response, communication) and a lack of preparedness became even more evident. 

This session will discuss what can be done to adequately prepare for future extreme weather events in the face of worsening climate change and global warming.

You can learn more about the panel here.

The panel session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15th starting at 3PM

The forum is just one of a large volume of events schedule for the 2021 convention, which takes place from September 13 to17.

This years event is once again a virtual gathering, which means Council members will remain in their home communities for the week long week of workshops and presentations.

The full list of program elements can be reviewed here.

You can follow the lead up for UBCM and the event as it moves forward from our archive page here.

Our archive page will feature notes both local and those culled from across the province as the event gets underway.