The councils of both Parksville and Qualicum Beach are back from the UBCM convention and say it was a productive and beneficial experience for local governments.
Mayor Doug O'Brien of Parksville says the annual convention is valuable in that it allows local governments to discuss critical topics like housing, infrastructure management, asset management, social issues and healthcare — and for local governments to advocate as one to senior levels of governance.
"The annual UBCM convention is, in my opinion, the best and most effective opportunity to learn, explore and develop leadership training," he said. "So local government officials can provide appropriate governance using honourable, innovative and respectful practices."
O'Brien attended along with councillors Mary Beil, Joel Grenz, Sylvia Martin and Sean Wood.
Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek also made the trip to the convention in Vancouver along with councillors Jean Young, Scott Harrison, Petronella Vander Valk and Anne Skipsey.
Westbroek said Qualicum Beach council enjoyed a productive convention that encompassed important topics such as healthcare, the province's new housing legislation (Bill 44) and relations with First Nations.
They met with Island Health for a meeting on how to improve access to healthcare, Westbroek added.
“I thought it was a very good conversation about what we can do to have better family practice services," he said.
He was also pleased with a resolution passed at the convention that recommends the province further assist municipalities financially with capital improvements to healthcare, such as a long-awaited patient tower at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
“We have passed a resolution that the provincial government work with the regional hospital districts like the [Regional District of Nanaimo] to review the cost sharing model for paying for health, help for health capital projects in our community," Westbroek said.
O'Brien attended sessions that included “Changing Climate, Rising Costs”, the Mid-Sized Communities Forum, a Housing Central reception hosted by BC Housing, Resource Breakfast with the Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, “Homelessness and Encampment Response”, Principle Policy Resolutions, Cabinet Town Hall on Housing, and a private meeting with the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
Coun. Harrison set up an interview with BC Housing staff individually at UBCM to discuss creating a path for people in supportive housing who are ready to move forward into more independent and inexpensive forms of affordable housing, and the potential to collaborate with multiple stakeholders on housing for workers through BC Builds.
He also asked for a meeting to ensure that the provincial funding for the Indigenous education kits created by the Qualicum Nation is maintained when it expires in two years — this meeting will take place after the conference.
Westbroek said all five members of his council commuted in one car to the ferry terminal, which both reduced greenhouse gases and provided a chance for some conversation.
