Local officials came away from the recent Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention with a renewed sense of optimism.
Harrison Coun. Leo Facio said that in his 27 years of municipal politics experience, this year’s conference was the best in his memory.
More than 2000 delegates from municipalities across B.C. attended the convention in Vancouver this year, making it one of the largest conferences in recent years.
The UBCM convention is a prime opportunity for particularly smaller municipalities to have meetings with provincial officials that they may otherwise have difficulty obtaining.
In the District of Kent, Mayor Sylvia Pranger met with housing officials to discuss the housing crisis and pressures on the real estate market within the district. She said provincial help with the issue could go a long way in retaining professionals such as teachers and nurses in the area.
Pranger said the more social aspect of the convention also placed an important role in meeting not only provincial officials but also in meeting delegates that face some of the same issues.
“You try and look for solutions and learn from each other,” she added. “We all have issues that are somewhat different but also in common. When you get 2,000-plus delegates at a conference, you’re bound to learn a lot. It’s a very beneficial time for municipalities.”
While attending the UBCM convention, Harrison Coun. Michie Vidal noted that the creation of a parks and trails master plan for the village could better aid in securing grant funding.
Vidal had the opportunity to speak at the Small Talk forum, which focused on smaller municipalities. She advocated for an independent provincial ethics commissioner, something she’s wanted for at least the past four years.
“In smaller communities, everybody knows everybody,” Vidal said. “Why should council become judge and jury?”
The UBCM members endorsed a resolution asking the province to appoint an ethics commissioner.
Harrison and District of Kent officials teamed up to meet with Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma further discuss the proposed emergency evacuation route that would run north of Harrison Hot Springs through Sasquatch Provincial Park. Since each municipality only gets 15 minutes with a limited number of officials, Harrison and Kent officials chose to have separate meetings with Ma on the same topic to maximize the potential time.
“There was no ‘it’s going to happen this year or the year after,’” Facio told The Observer. “But we put forth a very good case. They were very receptive, but at the moment, it’s still on hold.”
Vidal also remained optimistic about progress toward the second route.
“I think we are closer to it now than we were before,” she said.
Pranger said this emergency evacuation route has been in the works for a long time and local officials would like to see a resolution sooner rather than later.
Harrison officials also met with the Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston to discuss funding options to clean up the nearly 400 acres of East Sector lands near the village. Residents and officials alike are concerned that, particularly during the dry season, the potential fuel on East Sector lands could potentially cause a fire hazard.
Facio added meeting with Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming led to discussions of the potential for improved crosswalk safety for the village, specifically in the Lillooet Avenue and Hot Springs Road area. They also discussed the possibility of lowering the speed limit throughout the village to 30 kmh.