UBCM

Many municipal leaders are contesting continued sponsorship of their annual UBCM conference by fossil fuel corporations — especially when those same companies direct heat at small communities looking to electrify to meet climate targets.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be discussing drug decriminalization and public drug use in the opening session of the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

More provinces should follow Quebec's lead in seeking to hold short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb accountable for uncertified listings, advocates say.

The British Columbia government has introduced sweeping changes to boost the housing supply, and while local governments say they want to do their part, they're concerned about effects the laws will have on their communities. 

One of the final speeches of John Horgan's political career saw the British Columbia premier extol the benefits of collaboration and togetherness to achieve results just before he took a parting shot at forest-policy critics he called do-gooders.

Small communities are at the epicentre of severe and protracted shortages of doctors and nurses, increasing emergency room closures, an ailing primary care system and an immobilized ambulance service, say mayors behind a new rural caucus that wants provincewide solutions.