UBCM week arrives as municipal politicians and staff members arrive at Whistler

The Whistler Convention Centre is BC's Town Hall for the
next week, as delegates from across the province gather
for the annual UBCM convention
(Photo from UBCM twitter feed)

After a couple of years of Virtual conventions, this week's UBCM convention at Whistler will mark a return to in person politicking and socializing for the Mayors, Councillors and senior staff members that have all made their way to the Resort community in the Coast Mountains starting today.

The annual gathering of municipal representatives offers a chance for access to a range of provincial officials from Cabinet Ministers such as Stkine's Nathan Cullen who holds the Municipal Affairs title, to Senior bureaucrats in the provincial government.

The week is one full of presentations, policy sessions, workshops and much more including work on the UBCM Resolutions Book, the full document holds a variety of notes from municipal governments across the province on issues of concern.

As we noted in August, a Housing proposal seeking tax exemptions  for all income derived from the rental of secondary suites, is the contribution to the Resolutions book from the Prince Rupert delegation. 

The remainder of the communities from the Northwest and Haida Gwaii have submitted nineteen resolutions for discussion as part of this week's work.

In total there are close to 50 workshops, clinics, forums and plenary sessions on the agenda as part of the Convention program for the five days in Whistler.

Included on the list, a high profile discussion on Health care with Health Minister Adrian Dix, Broadcaster and Journalist Althia Raj is this years keynote speaker.

The event also features speeches from the leaders of both the Green and BC Liberal Party, Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen and the UBCM closing speech from Premier John Horgan on Friday.

The full overview of what's ahead can be explored here.

The Smithers delegation shared news of their departure
for UBCM on Sunday through the Mayor's Social media stream

Acclaimed as the next Mayor of Terrace following
the close of nominations on Friday,
Terrace Councillor Sean Bujtas notes of some of the
discussion themes  that the Terrace delegation will take to UBCM

The topic of UBCM did not make for much in the way of conversation over the summer for the Prince Rupert Council members. And so far, there have been no updates from the Prince Rupert delegation as to what they hope to achieve from the week ahead.

Something somewhat surprising since it will be the final UBCM gathering for two departing council members in Mayor Brain and Councillor Mirau, along with the prospect that the upcoming civic election may make for some new faces for the 2023 collection of delegates following the October election.

Among some areas that Prince Rupert's elected officials may hope to take to provincial officials will be concerns over infrastructure funding, housing, health care in the community and the current cause of note for the Council membership,  that of the Port Cap Situation and their desire to see the Tax scrapped.

The 2022 UBCM convention marks the last gathering at the convention
for at  least two of the City council contingent to Whistler

Should any of the council delegation have something to share, it most likely will come through their Social media streams, so follow any dispatches from the links below.

Mayor Lee Brain -- Facebook

Councillor Nick Adey - Twitter
Councillor Barry Cunningham -- Facebook
Councillor Blair Mirau -- Facebook, Twitter
Councillor Wade Niesh -- Facebook
Councillor Gurvinder Randhawa -- Facebook
Councillor Reid Skelton Morven -- Facebook

Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain may have a bit of work ahead for his newly announced side gig as well during his week at UBCM. 

Last week he introduced his latest career direction, that of an author with his first e-book that explores themes of leadership and political campaigns.

And if his social media feed is an indication, he may have a few clients and customers to chat with as the week moves ahead.

To keep up with what's happening from Whistler and maybe spot some pictures or notes on the Northwest delegates through the week,  follow the UBCM social media stream on twitter at #UBCM2022

 

You can explore some of the many themes of UBCM over the next five days through our archive page here.