Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Calls for Action

Over 40 resolutions to be discussed at SILGA, including Vernon’s fossil fuel funding proposal

Apr 18, 2024 | 11:30 AM

Municipal leaders from throughout the Interior, including in Vernon, will be bringing forward resolutions for discussions at the annual Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention.

The conference will be held in Kamloops from May 1-3.

A total of 43 resolutions will be brought forward, including one from the City of Vernon, as proposed by Councillor Brian Guy, that asks SILGA and the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to no longer accept sponsorship funding from the fossil fuel industry for meetings and conventions.

Guy’s rationale read as follows:

Whereas burning carbon-based fuel causes climate warming with harmful socio-economic and environmental consequences; and in response Canada and BC have developed legislation, targets and incentive programs to rapidly decarbonize the economy; and local governments must assist in achieving these goals, and have developed Climate Action Plans and decarbonization programs to do so;

Chamber of Commerce

Province provides boost to local businesses

11h ago

Homicide

Kelowna-area homicide victim was missing Kamloops man

12h ago

Police Enforcement

Provincial campaign targets speeders

13h ago

And whereas the fossil-fuel industry funds conventions and meetings of local government associations, which benefits the industry while the rising costs of delay are borne by governments and society:

Therefore be it resolved that SILGA and UBCM will no longer accept funding from the fossil-fuel industry and its lobby groups in support of conventions and meetings.

The resolution was not initially endorsed with SILGA’s recommendation stating it “does not want to have to distinguish between various categories of sponsors,” adding many rural centres rely on the industry to provide jobs and economic benefits and “disallowing fossil fuel company sponsorships may not have an impact on climate change.”

Despite that, Guy’s topic was highlighted as an important resolution, and it will be discussed at the convention.

Other topics of note include funding for the Invasive Mussel Defence Program, resolving the toxic drug crisis, sustainable forest management practices and wildfires, provincial support for rebuilding following disasters, allowing regional districts to become taxing authorities, and bullying and harassment by local elected officials.

Other local municipalities bringing forward resolutions include:

• Lumby:
  • Boat launch fees to fund watercraft inspection stations at boat launches: Establish fees at boat launches to fund inspection stations at the sites to ensure vessels are not contaminated with invasive mussels
• Lake Country:
  • Intersection safety cameras: Have the provincial government provide funding for the installation, maintenance and operation of intersection safety cameras as requested by local governments
  • Provincial watershed security: Have the province invest further into the B.C. Watershed Security Fund to create a source of funding for community-driven watershed security initiatives
  • Provincial Government Water Panel: Create a water panel to advocate to the province on water issues pertaining to their local government members
• Kelowna:
  • Invasive mussels: Have the province follow the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s recommendations to enhance inspections, funding and staffing for the Invasive Mussel Defence Program, and increase long-term funding for invasive mussel prevention
• Sicamous:
  • Residential Tenancy Act review: Have the province conduct a formal review of the Act that includes consultation with stakeholders and considers tenancy legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions
  • Funding for B.C.’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program: Have UBCM and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities call on the federal government to match the provincial funding for the Invasive Mussel Defence Program
  • Economic resiliency for tourism-dependent communities: Lobby the province to develop economic recovery supports for tourism-dependant rural communities and consult with stakeholders to develop long-term economic supports focused on building resilience for those communities.
• Salmon Arm:
  • Funding increase for Invasive Mussel Defence Program: Call for an increased funding for the program, introduce supportive legislation and update the early detection, rapid response plan, and have the provincial and federal governments both allocate significant, long-term funding to be used to prevent invasive mussel infestation in B.C.
• Columbia-Shuswap Regional District
  • Non-compliant and illegal buoys: Have the provincial and federal governments use their enforcement powers to remove non-compliant and illegal buoys
  • Sustainable forest management practices and wildfires: Have the province, in conjunction with First Nations, modernize forest management policies and regulations, update biodiversity targets, promote environmental stewardship, and support education on the value of reintroducing fire plan strategies to manage fuel sources.

The resolutions will be discussed on the first day of the convention.

Also included in the agenda are discussions on the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, the future of wildfires in B.C., and the future energy needs of the province.

There will also be virtual meetings with the ministers of Municipal Affairs, Forests, Mental Health and Addictions, Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship, and Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness.

SILGA is made up of 37 municipalities and regional districts within the Interior of B.C.

Resolutions supported at the convention will be brought forward for further discussions at the Union of BC Municipalities convention, and if approved there, the calls to action will be forwarded to the province.