- AT A GLANCE
I thought that you might want to know what will be happening at the annual UBCM Convention this year in Vancouver. Oak Bay’s Mayor and majority of Council members are attending, however, I will not be attending and will be holding the fort as Acting Mayor.
UBCM conventions are a good investment in local government and Council members from all over BC gather to listen, to learn and to share. There are opportunities for networking with colleagues from other parts of the Province, always an important part of the convention experience.
This year’s Convention theme is “Navigating the Local Landscape,” always a challenge for elected representatives. It’s obvious to me that, as other levels of government devolve areas of responsibility to local governments, including costs and funding, Council work continues to become more demanding, more complex and more important to the future of our local communities.
This year, local government finance highlights Convention policy sessions and the Convention’s keynote speaker is well known Canadian leader Stephen Lewis.
The week starts as follows:
- Monday, September 16:
Workshops and sessions are: Agricultural Tour; a Snapshot of the Local Government First Nations; a BC Mayors’ Caucus; Building and Protecting Sustainable Communities; Tools, Resources and Funding for Local Governments; and, Designing Communities for Better Health.
- Tuesday, September 17:
Workshops and sessions are: Stewardship of Sustainable Services; Respect in the Workplace; BC Emergency Services Review; Small Talk Forum; Large Urban Communities Forum; BC’s Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan; What Does Rural BC Need to Survive?; Local Food Systems (Context and Need); Changes to the Fisheries Act; Mid-Sized Communities Forum; Plenary – Strong Fiscal Futures; Partnerships in Trades Training; and, Exploring a BC Crime Prevention Strategy; Local Government Elections Reform; and, Funding 911 Services – Is a Wireless Levy the Solution?
- Wednesday, September 18:
Workshops and sessions are: Closer to Derelict Vessel Solutions?; 8 Habits of Effective Citizen Engagement; Wildfire, Community Protection and Participation; Youth Online – Mobilizing Against Exploitation and Bullying; Enhancing Local Government Collaboration; Panels – Strong Communities; Responsible Resource Development; and, Strong Economy and Jobs.
- Thursday, September 19:
Workshops and sessions are: Canada-European Union Trade Negotiations; Navigating Child Care – The $10/day Plan; Conflict of Interest; RCMP Contract: How Well Is It Working?; Avoiding Personal Liability; Working with the Court in Your Community; and, BC Transit: A Partnership in Action.
The last convention day on Friday, September 20 is highlighted by policy and resolution sessions, an address by Premier Christy Clark, election of UBCM Executive Positions, a Federal address and installation of the new UBCM President-Elect.
I look forward to hearing all about it when my Council colleagues return. It looks to be a very full and productive agenda and I will be interested in the outcomes.