UBCM convention: Two of three special resolutions focused on housing
Mayors and councillors voting at the annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities have passed three special resolutions, two of them focused on housing and the third on rural health care.
Special Resolution 2, which has been the subject of much conversation during the week-long gathering, passed handily demanding the province “invest in a long-term, predictable allocation-based funding program to support expansion and operation of local government infrastructure services to support provincially mandated housing growth.”
The third special resolution calls on the province to develop temporary shelters and support services for asylum-seekers, which has been the subject of bickering between the provincial and federal governments.
Special Resolution 1 calls for the review of local government contributions to regional hospital districts, citing the unsustainability of 40 per cent contributions made by smaller communities.
UBCM uses those member-voted resolutions to show the provincial government their priorities for the year and where they want senior governments supports, with special resolutions representing the most important issues.
This year there are 267 resolutions, 30 per cent more than last year, which deal with subjects as varied as mental health liaison officers, agricultural water management, illegal buoys, and vacancy control.
A city councilor from Nelson made a rare motion from the floor for an emergency resolution on "modernizing carbon pricing" that will be heard after all the other resolutions are handled on Friday, the last day of the convention.
Rik Logtenberg provided CTV News with the full resolution that "the UBCM request a significant portion of carbon pricing revenue be directed to local governments to support climate action initiatives such as transit, energy efficiency programs for homes, and adaptation of critical infrastructure, thereby directly helping local communities and their residents prepare for the impacts of catastrophic climate change."
The NDP government surprised observers when the premier announced last week that he would scrap the consumer carbon tax if the federal government removes its current requirement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prime minister faces mounting pressure to step aside from inside caucus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face mounting pressure from his caucus this week to step down from the leadership of the Liberal party.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.
A vehicle dropping off a shooting victim struck 3 nurses, critically wounding 1
A vehicle fleeing a Philadelphia hospital after dropping off a gunshot victim early Saturday struck three nurses who were trying to treat the patient, injuring one critically, authorities said.
Possible Listeria contamination leads to the recall of Rana brand sauce: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.
Study finds too many Quebec seniors being overprescribed inappropriate medications
A Montreal study found that many seniors are being overprescribed inappropriate medications.
Data shows migrants aren’t taking jobs from Black or Hispanic people, despite what Trump says
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promises the biggest deportation event the U.S. has ever seen if he is elected — a promise he has predicated, in part, on the notion that immigrants in the U.S. legally and illegally are stealing what he calls 'Black jobs' and 'Hispanic jobs.'
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Report says at least 55 children died or disappeared at B.C. residential school
A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.
What's behind the northern lights that dazzled the sky farther south than normal
Another in a series of unusually strong solar storms hitting Earth produced stunning skies full of pinks, purples, greens and blues farther south than normal, including into parts of Germany, the United Kingdom, New England and New York City.