Friday September 22, 2023 | METCHOSIN, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends | POLITICAL NEWS SECTION | METCHOSIN NEWS SECTION
The 2023 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention has unfolded this week in Vancouver, with over 2,000 delegates attending this 120th annual convention.
The 2023 convention theme has been “Balancing Act” — recognizing an essential element in the art of governance. The program covers a wide range of topics and issues. [See overall convention profile]
Yesterday and today, resolutions were voted on by the delegates. Delegates are mayors and councillors and regional district directors from around the province. Many MLAs attend, as do deputy ministers and ADMs and a range of experts and consultants.
Metchosin pushes hard on the environment file:
The District of Metchosin was the only municipality from the Greater Victoria west shore region that submitted resolutions this year (there were no resolutions from Langford, Colwood, or View Royal).
All three motions from Metchosin were around environmental issues. The small municipality of about 5,000 people on the west shore of Greater Victoria (on south Vancouver Island) has for years maintained strong policies and directions on agriculture, greenspace, and the protection of natural environment and ecosystems.
Three resolutions passed at UBCM:
Three environment-related policy resolutions were put forward by the District of Metchosin (Mayor Marie-Térèse Little and council) during UBCM 2023 — for the benefit of all communities in BC, and all of them passed:
- Supporting Biodiversity in Local Communities [EB32] – Metchosin
- Protection of Old Growth Forests [EB55] – Metchosin
- Reducing Anchorages Outside the Port of Vancouver [NR38] – Metchosin
The biodiversity resolution is about protecting and restoring biological diversity as it relates to wildlife and the creation of a Local Natural Areas Protection Fund and other efforts to acquire land for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The old growth forests resolution was around having the provincial government consult with local governments and First Nations toward implementation of the 14 recommendations within the Old Growth Review. That includes the context of impacts upon and implications for workers and communities that will require economic transition support.
The reduction of anchorages resolution highlighted the sensitive marine ecosystem of the Salish Sea and proposed that UBCM request of the federal government and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to “take all available actions to immediately reduce the use of freighter anchorages along southern Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands”. As well, there is a request that Transport Canada expand monitoring and inspection of freighters anchored outside the limits of the Port of Vancouver.
On this resolution, Councillor Jay Shukin proposed what Mayor Little calls “a compelling and honest argument”, saying he was articulate and forthright. The vote was unanimous. Mayor Little and Councillor Shelly Donaldson were prepared to also support the motion at the microphone, but the room required no debate.
UBCM Friday preview:
- Fri Sept 22 – Federal Address by Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources – 10:35 to 10:55 am
- Fri Sept 22 – Installation of new UBCM president – 10:55 am
- Fri Sept 22 – Address by Premier David Eby – 11:15 am to 12 noon
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