UBCM Talking Points 2014

As the province's municipal leaders, along with a string of BC government and opposition members take part in the UBCM convention, we will offer up items of interest from the Whistler gathering below.

Original items of note for the North Coast will be highlighted in red and marked by our blue NCR icon, allowing you to find them with a quick scan.

Other items related to North Coast involvement from other media sources will also be found in Red typeface.

Readers of the blog can also find updates on information from UBCM through twitter and the #UBCM hashtag...


Saturday

September 27-- Premier Clark closes UBCM with a bit of history and a bit of forward thinking  NCR

Friday

September 26-- Fiscal standoff between province and municipalities dominates UBCM convention
September 26-- Premier Clark on the Mike Eckford program CKNW ( audio )
September 26-- Premier Christy Clark addresses UBCM Delegates ( transcript of full address )
September 26-- Don't pay your staff so much, Premier Christy Clark tells B. C. municipalities
September 26-- Bylaw officers should be able to break vehicle windows to save dogs in distress: UBCM motion
September 26-- Premier delivers message on fiscal restraint to UBCM
September 26-- Christy Clark tells UBCM dialogue will shape province's future
September 26-- Fort St. John leads the way in resource driven conversations during UBCM conference
September 26-- Premier Clark's address to members of the UBCM
September 26-- Premier wants municipal pay to be election issue
September 26-- UBCM continues to lobby against province giving $1 Mill to town with no residents: Jumbo
September 26-- In UBCM speech, Clark says path of peace shapes B.C. future
September 26-- Premier says path of peace of schools, resources shapes BC's future
September 26-- Clark says path of peace on schools, aboriginals, resources, shapes B. C. future
September 26-- B. C.'s Christy Clark expects relations will blossom with Alberta's Jim Prentice
September 26-- Finish line out of sight and start line uncertain in race to develop LNG
September 26-- B. C. transportation minister tells coastal cities to pitch in if they don't want rising ferry fares
September 26-- Show leadership on ferry service
September 26-- After a week of UBCM setbacks, City Council might have some new additions for the Provincial Budget Consultations   NCR

Thursday

September 25-- Horgan blasts 'shoddy' municipal pay study
September 25-- Coal export scrutiny urged by cities
September 25-- Smithers Wins Awards at UBCM
September 25-- Activists say public interest "completely missing" from LNG talks at UBCM
September 25-- Clark tap dances while Stone rants
September 25-- UBCM unlikely to alter Ferries' course
September 25-- Horgan Demands approved LNG projects meet four key Principles that Benefit British Columbia (media release)
September 25-- Prince George Councillors meet with Transportation Minister
September 25-- NDP leader says LNG must benefit B. C.
September 25-- Oil Pipeline opposition call fails at UBCM
September 25-- Discussion on BC Ferries issues highlights gap between Province and coastal communities NCR


Wednesday

September 24-- UBCM President blasts government for inaction on fiscal report
September 24-- How Downloaded Costs are Steamrolling Local Governments
September 24-- Mayors feeling snubbed by province over revenue sharing
September 24-- Funding announcements at UBCM
September 24-- UBCM gas sector sponsorship called into question
September 24-- Campbell River Mayor Jakeway faces heat after UBCM comments
September 24-- UBCM should propose cost-saving ideas
September 24-- UBCM resolutions defeated on ALR, confidentiality
September 24-- Stone rejects fare rollback at BC Ferries
September 24-- Transportation Minister rejects call for ferry-fare rollbacks, restoration of service to 2013 levels
September 24-- Cities Reject Minister's Proposal they help pay for BC Ferries
September 24-- UBCM ferry report makes for awkward talks
September 24-- Transportation Minister, critics disagree on ferry ridership analysis
September 24-- Civic politicians want BC Ferry rates reduced
September 24-- Transportation Minister promises to keep BC Ferries fare hike in line with inflation
September 24-- No plans to roll back ferry fares or services, transportation minister says
September 24-- UBCM upset as B. C. blows off talks on uncertain municipal finances
September 24-- B. C. Municipalities want medical pot growers identified
September 24-- Big-city safety concerns win the day in UBCM vote calling on feds to disclose medical marijuana grow locations
September 24-- UBCM delegates to vote on resolution to roll back ferry fares by 4%
September 24-- Minister Coleman seeks to reduce expectations of LNG tax windfall for Northern Municipalities  NCR

Tuesday

September 23-- Victoria, Municipalities trade insults and dollar figures
September 23-- UBCM call for ferry changes a long shot
September 23-- UBCM debates reducing number of resolutions raised for discussion
September 23-- Some B. C. Mayors balk at funding extra firefighter training
September 23-- B. C. Mayors push province on mental health
September 23-- Penticton takes large scale events issue to the province for UBCM convention
September 23-- UBCM delegates to vote on resolutions to roll back ferry fares
September 23-- B. C. communities keen on Victoria and Vancouver's mental health approach
September 23-- Kinder Morgan pipeline fight will be raised at UBCM Wednesday
September 23-- Increase mental health and addiction services: BC Mayor's caucus
September 23-- B. C. Mayors, Councillors out to pickpocket taxpayers yet again
September 23-- Aboriginal title 'a first step,' UBCM told
September 23-- UBCM hears that native band wants to support economic development
September 23-- Prince George talks crime at UBCM
September 23-- Author stands by B. C. Ferries report despite criticism
September 23-- Analyst stands by report on ferry fares impact
September 23-- Island candidates tee off over UBCM relevance
September 23-- Ferries on the mind at UBCM
September 23-- Civic Leaders discussing BC Ferries fare hikes at UBCM today
September 23-- B. C. to add rural ambulance resources
September 23-- Saanich pushes climate change at gathering of B. C. municipalities
September 23-- Big companies paying big bucks to sponsor events with BC Civic leaders
September 23-- Prince George Councillor Krause seeks post on UBCM executive
September 23-- West Kelowna Discusses Second Bridge Crossing at UBCM
September 23-- North Coast delegates bring eleven resolutions to UBCM  NCR
September 23-- UBCM convention underway at Whistler  NCR

Monday

September 22-- Northern B. C. towns worry LNG boom will turn into burden
September 22-- Transportation Minister, critics disagree on ferry ridership analysis
September 22-- Energy Minister warns UBCM that local govt's need to use restraint in taxing LNG operations
September 22-- B. C. cabinet minister warns against hefty industrial taxes on LNG plants
September 22-- Stetski lays out agenda for UBCM convention
September 22-- Ferry fares lead list of hot topics as leaders gather in Whistler for annual UBCM convention
September 22-- BC Ferries won't get more government subsidies: Todd Stone
September 22-- UBCM Convention starts Today
September 22-- BC cities call municipal pay review flawed, biased
September 22-- Ambulance response and BC Ferries on the agenda at UBCM
September 22-- UBCM President defends annual convention
September 22-- UBCM convention begins in Whistler today

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

UBCM Convention underway at Whistler

Municipal policies and issues are on the agenda this week at Whistler, as the province's municipal council members along with some of their staff members take part in the annual UBCM convention.

Monday marked the first day of the five days of meetings, one that focused on  a pair of high profile issues such as LNG in British Columbia and the Opportunities and Challenges that it offers.

Delegates also had an opportunity to learn more on the theme of improving health for rural and remote communities.

Tuesday, the day long listing of sessions will be highlighted by a number of clinics and forums on a range of topics including: Assessing and Understanding Community Wildfire Risk, Asset Management, Learning's from Local Government Capital Procurement Projects and an update on the Rural BC project.

A key review on the day will be a look at the impacts of the Tsilhqot'in Decision on Local Governments.

Policy sessions will examine a number of items: Accessible Communities, the Controversial BC Ferries report recently released (see our item on that issue here), Healthy Communities and a session on what candidates need to know for the 2014 Local elections.

Tuesday evening comes to an end with the Welcome reception.

Wednesday marks a full day for the convention, with the official opening to convention week, which will feature a string of addresses and adoption of rules and Procedures and other housekeeping issues for the annual gathering.

Some of the clinics and information sessions will no doubt be of interest to the Prince Rupert delegation to the conventions, with such items as a Report on Contaminated sites, strengthening communities through partnerships and a look at the BC Rental Housing situation sure to be of interest to the North Coast attendees.

A one hour keynote address from writer, broadcaster and political observer Rex Murphy will kick off the early morning period, which will then be followed by a review of the resolutions of the Principal Policy Session.

Nominations for UBCM positions and an address from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities makes up for part of the afternoon, followed by a number of Cabinet Panels on a recurring theme os Strong Economy and Jobs, Strong Communities and Responsible Resource Developments.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities workshop on the topic of the Federal Election of 2015 and how to amplify the Municipal message winds down the business day for Wednesday.

The evening is then turned over to socializing with three receptions for participants to take in, the BC Government Reception,  another hosted by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China and the nightcap on the evening, a Reception hosted by CUPE BC.

Thursday it's back to work with another full day on the agenda for delegates.

The Clinics offer up more interesting fare with review of BC's Log Export Policy, a look at the options for Green Energy, a call for a partnership model for Rail Safety and another focus on rural health care.

The BC NDP's John Horgan the Opposition leader in the B. C. Legislature will have his time with the delegation with an address on Thursday morning, while Adam Olsen, the interim Leader of the BC Green Party is scheduled for a session just before the noon hour.

Delegates also move on to more resolutions for the Thursday session, with nominations for Executive positions and speeches is required to follow.

The afternoon offers up a number of workshops on themes such as: Creating a Successful Resort Community tour, Improving Civic Engagement and Voter Turnout, Linking Citizen Voices to Policy Decision, Skills Blueprints and Community Partnerships and Tackling Poverty at the community Level

The always well attended UBCM Reception launches cocktail hour, with the Annual UBCM Banquet bringing night number four to an end.

Friday is a half day to bring the 2014 edition of the UBCM to a close.

The Election for Executive positions gets the day underway after breakfast, followed by the final session on UBCM Resolutions for the convention.

The Federal Address is scheduled for 9 AM.  As James Moore, the Federal Minister of Industry addresses the convention, providing a Federal view on relations with British Columbia municipalities.

His speech will be followed by more resolution work leading up to the Installation of the President Elect and a pair of Prize draws with the Port Metro Vancouver Cruise Draw and Air Canada Prize Draw the reward for a week of convention going.

As always, the finale to UBCM convention week, is the Convention wrap up address by the Premier.

Christy Clark will provide an overview on the state of the province and the relationship between provincial government and municipalities.  Her address will bring the event to a close just as the Noon hour arrives.

In addition to the Agenda for the week, local representatives will have the opportunity to discuss issues with an assortment of provincial cabinet ministers and provincial staff members who will be receiving delegations through the week.

You can review the full Agenda package from the UBCM from this link.

Prior to their departure for UBCM, Prince Rupert council members had been making plans to hold a strategy session of sorts, designed to review their approach to the convention and what they would be hoping to bring home from their time there.

As for those who may be attending on behalf of the city, Council never did provide any information to the city website, or discuss in council session for that matter, as to a roster of those making the trek to Whistler.

In the weeks leading up to convention time, there had been a few on Council that gave indications that they may not be attending this years gathering, though no firm list of names of those attending was ever outlined by the Mayor and Council.

As well, other than the introduction of resolutions in June, there has been little discussion during the regular public council sessions as to what those from the North Coast that will be addressing this week (see the agenda list of resolutions from the North Coast here) as they make their views known to the UBCM gathering.

All of which leaves us to await the return of the travelling party, who hopefully provide us with the Cole's Notes version of UBCM 2014.

Should we discover any contributions to the week from the North Coast representatives we'll post them to our archive page of items of interest from UBCM, you can find that week long rolling index here.

Readers can also learn more about developments at the Whistler convention through the #UBCM hashtag on the social media platform twitter.

For an overview of issues that Prince Rupert City Council discussed through the year, see our archive page for City Council developments here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review