Five don’t-miss clinics, sessions and seminars
This week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference has drawn almost 2,000 delegates eager to attend workshops, planning sessions and clinics that address a wide range of topics, from marijuana to disaster planning. Jennifer Saltman goes over some
1 Uncivil Civic Engagement
Bad behaviour online is spilling into municipal politics, and this clinic with a Vancouver lawyer is meant to teach delegates what steps can be taken to limit conduct such as harassment on social media, including a welldrafted procedure bylaw and the obtaining of a restraining order from the court. The session will also cover defamation in the context of social media and what steps can be taken to stop this conduct.
2 Leading Through Crisis: Floods and Fires in 2017
Representatives from communities affected by this year’s natural disasters will participate in a panel and multimedia presentation meant to talk about their experiences related to emergency response, evacuations, emergency operation centres and emergency social services, as well as their reflections on how local governments were effective in responding to floods and fire, and how we can better prepare our communities for future emergencies.
3 New Approaches to the Overdose Crisis
With new and alarming overdose figures being released all the time, a policy session on Tuesday discussing how communities are being asked to come up with novel approaches to reduce overdoses and deaths is timely. The session will review the current trends in overdoses and introduce basic strategies that are urgently needed throughout the province including emergency response, supportive housing, harm reduction and treatment.
4 Short-term Rentals and Affordable Housing: Room for Both?
Housing is a perennial topic of conversation in B.C. and the Lower Mainland in particular, including the loss of affordable rental housing to short-term rentals. In this workshop, delegates will hear from staff and elected officials from Tofino, Whistler, Penticton and Richmond on best practices and key lessons on how municipalities and regional districts are regulating short-term rentals and enforcing regulations.
5 Provincial Government Addresses
Municipal isn’t the only level of government represented at UBCM: MLAs, cabinet ministers and party leaders are also dropping in on the convention to attend sessions, meet with local government reps and speak to gathered crowds. B.C. Green party Leader Andrew Weaver and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson will give addresses on Wednesday. Interim Liberal party leader Rich Coleman will give an address on Thursday, while Premier John Horgan will close out the convention Friday.