Coldstream, Lake Country resolutions not expected to pass at SILGA

Apr 16, 2025 | 2:45 PM

The Districts of Coldstream and Lake Country have resolutions to discuss at the annual Interior municipal convention, though none were expected to be supported.

The Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) Convention was scheduled to go in Merritt from April 29 to May 2.

A SILGA agenda document showed the District of Coldstream had two resolutions to bring forward for discussion and voting at the convention.

Installation of Early Wildfiure Detection Technology
- Have the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) ask the province to install early wildfire detection technology in woodland-urban interface areas, with a priority on areas bordering local government residential neighbourhoods.
Ministerial Oversight of Proposed Sewage (Septic) Systems
- Have the UBCM request that the Ministry of Environment be required to review all applications for onsite sewerage systems when there is more than one onsite system to be installed on a parcel of land, or where the sewerage system is proposed to be on a parcel adjacent to a water source.

The agenda document stated the SILGA Resolutions Committee recommended both Coldstream’s requests not be endorsed.

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It stated there was uncertainty whether wildfire detection technology could protect urban interface areas or be meaningfully implemented, while also saying increasing the regulatory complexity around septic and sewer systems may burden rural communities.

The District of Lake Country also had two proposed resolutions.

Local Government Response to U.S. Imposed Tariffs
- Have the province set aside funds collected from U.S. counter tariffs for local governments to access and use to create economic opportunities for local Canadian manufacturers and for investments in their communities
Provincial Government Water Panel
- Have the UBCM strike a water panel to avocate to the provincial government on water issues pertaining to their local communities, such as droughts, floods and fires.

Again, the SILGA document recommended these resolutions not be supported. It stated tariffs fall under federal jurisdiction and therefore the resolution was directed toward the wrong governing body, while also saying a similar water panel proposal was defeated at the 2024 UBCM convention.

Other area communities also planned to bring forward resolutions at the SILGA Conference.

Vernon: UBCM Voting Schedule
- Request a change to the UBCM Convention agenda to schedule resolution voting to the beginning of the event so that there is enough time to address all resolutions submitted and allowing members to schedule their attendance accordingly (no recommendation).
Spallumcheen: B.C. Building Code Amendment to Include Natural Gas
- Have the UBCM petition the province to amend the B.C. Building Code to ensure natural gas remains a viable energy option now and in the future for residents, businesses and local governments (no recommendation).
Lumby: Mailing Illegal Substances via Canada Post
- Ask the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s office advocate to Canada Post to implement immediate process changes such as increased use of ion scanners, narcotic sniffing dogs, and other means to detect and divert illegal drugs (no recommendation)
West Kelowna: Implementation of Provincially Mandated Accessibility and Inclusion Plans
- Have the UBCM ask the province to allocate annual grant funding specifically for audits, expert consultation assistance, and capital improvements; and have the province work alongside local governments to make the goal of accessibility become a reality (no recommendation).
West Kelowna: FireSmart and Wildfire Mitigation Funding
- Have UBCM work with the province to dedicate additional grant funds for wildfire prevention and simplify the program by fully changing the process from a competition-based application process to an allocation-based formula for a term of a least five years; and reduce the grant approval timelines to less than 30 days (endorse).
Sicamous: Compensation for Road Rescue Services
- Have the UBCM ask the province to establish a sustainable funding model to fully compensate for road rescue service providers for response, training, equipment and operational costs (endorse).
Sicamous: Provincial Oversight of Water, Streams, Wetlands and Riparian Areas
- Have the UBCM ask the province to commit additional resources for the oversight process for works in and around water, streams, wetland and riparian areas, to reduce timelines and increase responsiveness to communities’ needs (endorse).
Columbia Shuswap Regional District: Shift of Provincial Wildfire Response Responsibilities onto Regional Districts
- Have the UBCM request the province assume full responsibility of wildfire response in areas outside fire protection zones, with recognition of operational capacities of regional districts; and request the province support collaboration between B.C. Wildfire Service and regional districts to share resources to enhance wildfire emergencies response and community resiliency (no recommendation).
Columbia Shuswap Regional District: Equitable Status and Funding for Inland Ferries as Essential Infrastructure
- Ask the province to ensure all inland ferries are entitled to the same legal status as roads, highways and bridges; that all remain toll-free; and that the regular schedule of each inland ferry be deemed the minimum necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public (endorse).