BC municipalities raise policing and infrastructure concerns at UBCM

During the 2026 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver, local officials from various British Columbia regions presented several priorities to provincial ministers.

Representatives from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) successfully passed resolutions to repeal the cancellation of the Northern and Rural Area Homeowner Grant Benefit and to amend depreciation regulations for industrial and electric power facilities. RDBN Chair Mark Parker highlighted concerns regarding the cumulative impact of upcoming industrial projects on regional infrastructure, including medical systems, landfills, and waste management.

In Salmon Arm, municipal leaders raised issues regarding rural policing and highway traffic safety. Mayor Alan Harrison met with the Public Safety Minister to discuss the need for increased provincial policing, noting that RCMP officer numbers in the area have not changed since 2004 despite population growth. Additionally, officials advocated for a red light camera on Highway 1 to mitigate safety risks caused by the local topography.