UBCM follows two paths for Fall convention planning

Unsure as to what the guidelines for social gathering may be by the time their annual convention rolls around in September, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities is exploring a range of options to continue on with the annual event, whether as an in person gathering or by virtual means.

"Planning for each Convention is a year-round process, so considerable work has been undertaken for the 2020 Convention slated to be held at the Victoria Conference Centre, September 21-25. 

While this work will continue, we will also develop a virtual Convention concept to provide a contingency in the event that an in-person Convention is prohibited or unfeasible. 

We are very appreciative of the support and the interest that has been offered by the City of Victoria, our sponsors and others to ensure this year’s Convention is the best possible in consideration of provincial health orders." -- From a UBCM advisory on convention planning from April 2020

The path ahead for UBCM highlights how COVID has had an impact on municipal government and the usual conduct of business, with less and less personal contact taking place, or out of town travel being planned for council members and senior staff.

Photo of Prince Rupert City Council from 2019 City of PR newsletter

Prince Rupert's Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben made note of the new reality for travel during her Budget presentation on April 27th, observing as to how the City had put travel curtailments in place during the COVID 19 emergency.

The last travel that was noted by civic officials was that of Mayor Lee Brain who was on the road in early March to attend a session of the Climate Solutions Council.

Though, as we've noted in the past, one missing element from the city's ongoing desire for transparency and community disclosure is a listing of all civic travel and expenses for elected officials and senior staff.

The topic of travel isn't really one that has been addressed much by Council since former Councillor Anna Ashley brought the theme to the table back in 2013.

As for 2020, the first of the conventions that the city's elected officials and staff members had to take off their travel list for the year was the North Central Local Government convention which had been scheduled for March of this year.

The UBCM convention is scheduled for Victoria this September with the event originally set to take place at the Victoria Conference Centre from September 21-25.

For more notes on City of Prince Rupert discussion themes see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.