Latest news with #UBCM
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
On Bill 15, B.C. premier seems convinced he can bring Indigenous leaders on board
VICTORIA — Premier David Eby heads into the final week of the spring legislative session on Monday, determined to ride out the backlash over a bill giving the cabinet extraordinary powers to fast-track public and private infrastructure projects. Indigenous leaders say the government broke its word to consult them in advance on this type of legislation. Municipal leaders say they were left in the dark, too. Both oppose how Bill 15, the Infrastructure Project Act, empowers the cabinet to override regulatory and other authorities on any project the New Democrats designate 'provincially significant.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Indigenous and municipal leaders combined forces this week in a final pitch to delay passage of Bill 15, at least until the fall legislature session convenes in October. 'Our chiefs are frustrated,' said Robert Phillips of the First Nations Leadership Council. 'They're upset and they feel betrayed. But at one swipe of a pen, the premier can put all of this off to the fall and that's what we're calling for.' Echoing the call was Trish Mandewo, president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities. 'In rushing the legislation through quickly and by standing behind it so aggressively, the province has failed to generate support and trust from local governments and from First Nations.' That was midday Thursday. A few hours later the premier made it clear to both groups that the government was determined to proceed. 'I understand the history of the provincial government and why the words fast-track would cause so much concern among Indigenous leaders,' Eby told reporters. 'But I also had a very positive meeting with the modern treaty nations. We're engaging with Indigenous leadership on major projects across the province, and I think and hope we'll be able to get to a point of demonstrating that this bill not only benefits the province as a whole; it benefits Indigenous communities as well.' The premier was less respectful of the concerns raised by local government. He noted the juxtaposition between the UBCM news conference and this week's release of the Deloitte report on the troubled internal dynamics of Metro Vancouver. 'I have to confess some surprise that in the same week we got a Deloitte report about the urgent need for additional support for municipalities on complex and challenging projects to deliver them effectively, efficiently and promptly, that I would be getting a critique from UBCM about our bill that is about moving these projects along faster,' said Eby. 'It is actually the mayors themselves who have been pressing government and saying, 'we have to amend our official community plan, but can you just go ahead and build this school in our community?' 'That's what this bill is about. It is about delivering for the mayors … for the Indigenous rights and titleholders who come to our government and have projects that they own and that they want us to deliver efficiently, effectively and promptly. That's what we're going to do.' In short: Indigenous and local government leaders alike should trust the New Democrats to do the right thing with this legislation. On that score, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs made a telling comment recently about Bill 15 and Bill 14, the companion legislation for expediting energy projects. 'There's something that most people would never consider, and that's if the Conservatives were to take power and these bills were on the book,' said Phillip during an interview earlier this month with the CBC's Stephen Quinn. 'They (the Conservatives) would just run rampant on developments that could greatly harm and impair the environment, and certainly the rights of Indigenous people and British Columbians,' Phillip continued. 'We made a heroic effort to reach that understanding, but the premier made it clear that these bills are moving forward.' The government has already passed closure motions, allowing it to terminate debate and use its legislative majority to pass Bill 14 and 15 before Thursday's scheduled adjournment of the spring session. There is no need to go that route, particularly with Bill 15, the more contentious of the two. The New Democrats could simply put Bill 15 on hold, conduct the consultations they neglected, and bring it back with amendments in the fall. But the premier has already been forced to water down Bill 7, the legislation giving the New Democrats broad powers to meet the threat of the Trump tariffs. He's determined not to blink a second time — even for the summer — on another major piece of legislation. 'We have to show we can get things done,' say the New Democrats. And never mind the fallout with First Nations? Near as I can tell, Eby does not believe that he will have to pay a high price for his rebuff of Indigenous leaders over Bill 15. Rather, he expects they will be placated with consultations later this year on the regulations that will bring specifics to Bill 15 and clear the way for Indigenous involvement in individual projects. 'We're going to have to prove it,' says the ever-confident premier. He still thinks there is time enough to make Indigenous leaders see things his way. vpalmer@
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. municipalities join First Nations in criticism of tariff bills
UBCM president Trish Mandewo looks on during a convention in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD seeks public input on new emergency communications plan
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is developing a new communications and public notification plan to keep residents informed before, during and after an emergency—and it wants your input. 'We have experienced first-hand the effects of a variety of different types of emergencies in the regional district,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford. 'At all stages of an emergency, information is key, and having a plan to guide this process will help improve our overall preparedness for, and response to, emergencies in the future.' Recent wildfires, floods and landslides have prompted record-breaking activations of the SLRD's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), according to a staff report . A policy gap was noted following the Downton Lake and Casper Creek wildfires in 2023, revealing the regional district lacked 'an overall public notification/ emergency communications would direct a timely, accurate and efficient public notification system and allow for the prompt dissemination of vital information in an emergency event.' The anonymous, 10-minute survey is meant to help address that gap. The communications and notification plan is being developed thanks to provincial grant funding administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The grant, awarded through the UBCM's Community Emergency Preparedness Fund's Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning Stream, is part of 'a suite of funding programs intended to support First Nations and local governments prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate.' The SLRD is working with Butterfly Effect Communications to finalize a communications plan by July 2025. The survey is open until midnight on June 4. Those who would prefer a physical copy of the survey are asked to contact communications@ .
