Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Annual Convention – Online 2021
AGENDA
Plenary Session: Pathways to Truth and Reconciliation – Tuesday September 14th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM PDT
Presenters:
- The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Former Chief Commissioner Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- The Honourable Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- Andrea Reimer, Founder & Principal, Tawâw Strategies
- Chair John Jack, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and Councillor, Huu-ay-aht First Nations.
This session will address the urgent question of how Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities might walk further along the path towards truth and reconciliation, through a panel featuring the Honourable Murray Sinclair, former Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). His Honour will be joined by local government panelists who will reflect on opportunities for communities interested in taking meaningful and effective steps towards addressing the TRC Calls to Action.
The session will conclude with the renewal of UBCM’s MOU with the Province on Engagement on First Nations Negotiations and other Indigenous Initiatives.
- Brian Frenkel, President, Union of BC Municipalities
- Trish Mandewo, Chair, UBCM Indigenous Relations Committee
- The Honourable Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- The Honourable Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs
Workshop: Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency – Tuesday September 14th, 2:45 – 4:00 PM PDT
Presenters:
- Maja Tait, UBCM Past President / UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance Member, UBCM
- Lyn Hall, Mayor, City of Prince George / Co-chair, UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance
- Mike Buda, Executive Director, Mayor’s Council on Regional Transportation / UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance Member
- Al Richmond, Director, Cariboo Regional District / Co-chair, UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance
The 2021 UBCM policy paper builds upon a 2013 UBCM paper, Strong Fiscal Futures, by focusing on cost drivers – one of the priority action items identified in the earlier policy paper. The report identifies three objectives: addressing local government cost drivers in housing, community safety and climate change; addressing the impacts the ‘New Economy’ will have on the local government financial system; and establishing an effective partnership with the Province to improve the local government financial system.
The session will provide an overview on the UBCM Select Committee on Local Government Finance’s approach, process and deliverables, with a Q & A session for delegates. This policy paper (Policy Paper #1) will be brought forward for endorsement during the Wednesday Resolutions session.
BC Liberal Caucus UBCM Roundtable on Safe and Inclusive Communities Tuesday Sept 14 4:30pm
Town Hall – Meeting the Need: Shared RD Services – Wednesday September 15th, 1:20 – 2:35 PM PDT
Presenters:
- Meriko Kubota, Regional Social Planner, City of Powell River
- Kai Okazaki, Social Planner, City of Burnaby
- Steve Botham, Manager of Information Technology, Fraser Fort George Regional District
- Russell Dyson, Chief Administrative Officer, Comox Valley Regional District
- Pamela Shaw, Planning Consultant, K’omoks First Nation
- Shawn Tomlin, Chief Administrative Officer, Regional District of East Kootenay
Regional Districts are finding unique ways to offer services in their regions to save on costs, improve access to expertise, provide consistency, and increase collaboration among partners. This session will highlight best practices from around the province, to guide and inspire Regional District members.
Town Hall – Global Warning: Lessons from the 2021 Heat Wave – Wednesday September 15th, 3:00 – 4:15 PM PDT
Presenters:
- Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, Province of BC
- Johanna Wagstaffe, Meteorologist / Science Reporter, CBC News Vancouver
- Barbara Roden, Mayor, Village of Ashcroft
- Patrick Johnstone, Councillor, City of New Westminster
- Dr. Sarah Henderson, Scientific Director, Environmental Health, BC Centre for Disease Control
- Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, Province of BC
Earlier this year, the province experienced an extreme heat wave, leading to unprecedented temperatures and more than 570 heat-related fatalities. All orders of government were left scrambling to address the immediate impacts, including subsequent wildfires, while long-standing systemic vulnerabilities (e.g. emergency response, communication) and a lack of preparedness became even more evident. In addition to examining lessons learned, this session will discuss what can be done to adequately prepare for future extreme weather events in the face of worsening climate change and global warming.
- Local governments in British Columbia operate within a system of governance that is guided by the core concepts
of autonomy, empowerment, accountability and collaboration. These concepts should be kept in mind as local
governments consider potential solutions to strengthening the practice of responsible conduct by local elected officials
Keynote Speaker – Thursday
Presenters:
- Rick Mercer, Political Satirist, Canadian Comedian, Author
- Jody Vance, Freelance Journalist / Columnist
UBCM is very pleased to welcome Canadian comedian, political satirist and author, Rick Mercer as the 2021 Keynote Speaker. Mercer will be interviewed by Jody Vance.
Rick Mercer’s top-rated, award-winning CBC show, The Rick Mercer Report, routinely trampled even its American competitors in the ratings. The show featured Mercer’s trademark rants, satirical newscasts, commercial parodies, and comic encounters with famous Canadians, talking about Canada. More than any other comedian (or journalist for that matter), he talks to Canadian newsmakers with a refreshing candour, and is uniquely able to spin topical hilarity from the people and the things deeply embedded in the national consciousness.
Mercer, who hails from St. John’s Newfoundland, is best known for his work on the CBC Television comedy shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made In Canada and Rick Mercer Report. He is the author of four books all of which have been national best sellers. Mercer has received nearly 30 Gemini Awards and Canadian Screen awards for his work on television. He is also a recipient of the Governor Generals Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement and in 2014 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
*Keynote Speaker Sponsored by Municipal Finance Authority of BC
Address by the Leader of the Green Party – Thursday September 16th, 2:30 – 2:45 PM PDT
Is Your Local Government Safe from a Cybersecurity Attack? – Thursday September 16th, 2:45 – 4:00 PM PDT
Presenters:
- Maryam Z. Sherkat, Chief Risk Officer & Legal Counsel, MIA BC
- Gareth Lewis, Vice-President, Claims, Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada
- Todd Pugh, Executive Director, CivicInfo BC
- Danny Francisco, Information Services Manager, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Local governments are storing unprecedented amounts of data on computers, servers, and other devices. At the same time, the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks is growing. Is your local government’s digital infrastructure safe from an attack? As an elected official, are you asking the right questions of your staff and dedicating an appropriate level of resources to this evolving threat?
During this session you will hear from a BC local government that has experienced a cyberattack. Panelists will also discuss steps that you can take to minimize your risk, including a practical example of an organization that is currently undertaking a security audit.
This session will be general in nature and is designed for decision makers.
- Back ups?
- Cyber Insurance?
- Cyber Security Specialist?
BC Liberal Caucus UBCM Roundtable on Moving Forward: Growing the Economy in a Post-Pandemic World Thursday Sept 16 2021 4:30pm
- Thank you for registering for this afternoon’s BC Liberal Caucus UBCM virtual roundtable on Moving Forward: Growing the Economy in a Post-Pandemic World – A discussion on how to ensure BC has the skilled workforce it needs, innovation in the workplace, and supporting small businesses as the key to a thriving economy at 4:30PM.
- We will begin with opening remarks from Shirley Bond, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition, MLA for Prince George-Valemount and Critic for Seniors Services and Long Term Care and will then turn it over to you.
Town Hall – Supporting Resilient Communities – Friday September 17th, 9:30 – 10:45 AM PDT
Presenters:
- Minister Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs
Minister Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and rural Development - Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Minister Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services - Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment
Details:
As leaders in your communities, the work you do every day is critical to supporting resilient communities in an ever-changing world. The ministers participating in this session will speak to resiliency from their ministry’s perspective – be it planning for emergencies by becoming a FireSmart community; improving connectivity to broaden educational and economic opportunities; or evolving forestry management practices and learning how to adapt to climate change. The Province wants hear from delegates on what is needed to deepen community resiliency.
- Extended invitation to Ministers Osborne, Conroy & Farnsworth for community tour and discussion of fire
Installation of President Elect Friday September 17th, 11:00 – 11:15 AM PDT (Laurey-Anne Roodenberg)
Address by the Premier & Adjourn – Friday September 17th, 11:15 – 12:15 PM PDT
