File photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters

By Liam Verster

UBCM Resolutions, Advocacy Opportunities

Vernon bringing forward resolutions, advocating for other policy changes at UBCM Convention

Sep 21, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon will bring forward some resolutions and take part in other advocacy work at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention.

The city is involved in two resolutions to be discussed at the convention.

• Modernization of Municipal Wastewater Regulations and Sewerage System Regulations (submitted alongside the District of Coldstream, District of Lake Country, and Columbia Shuswap Regional District): Requests for the regulations be reviewed and modernized to “ensure alignment with current environmental pressures, technological advancement, and land use planning needs.”
• UBCM Voting Schedule: Requests that the convention schedule be changed to have the resolution discussions held at the start of the convention so there is time to address all submitted resolutions.

The City of Vernon has also indicated it would support a resolution from West Kelowna to provide better supports for contractors retrofitting houses in rural communities.

If these resolutions are supported at the UBCM convention, then they will be brought forward with recommendations to the provincial government

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In addition to bringing forward these resolutions, the City of Vernon representatives will meet with provincial ministers and MLAs to advocate for broader policy changes.

“UBCM is a vital forum for municipalities to bring their priorities directly to provincial leaders,” Mayor Victor Cumming said in a release.

“For Vernon, it’s an opportunity to champion practical transit solutions, advocate for fair taxation of recreational properties, and advance long-term water sustainability and wildfire mitigation initiatives. Through collaboration with our Okanagan municipal partners, we’re also advocating for increased Crown Prosecutor capacity, bail reform and care for individuals facing complex mental health and addiction challenges. Together, we can influence decisions that reflect the unique needs of our region and deliver meaningful benefits to our community.”

The City of Vernon provided more insight on those points.

• Transit Innovation for Smaller Communities: Launch a pilot to support transit solutions tailored to smaller municipalities. Those can include increased service frequency and the use of smaller, more cost-effective vehicles.
• Public Hearing Reinstatement for Zoning Changes: Advocating for the reinstatement of public hearings related to zoning changes regarding increased residential density in smaller communities.
• Taxation Alternatives for Recreational Second Homes: Implement a tailored approach to taxing recreational second homes in designated areas where subject properties have limited impact on affordable housing available.
• Support for Water Sustainability Initiatives: Call for continued support for key water-related projects: Aberdeen Plateau Water Sustainability and Wildfire Mitigation, Vernon Creek/Polson Park Channel Restoration, Treated Effluent Spray Irrigation System, Flood Water Management Bylaw, and Okanagan-Wide Water Collaborative Leadership Initiative and Memorandum of Understanding.

The City of Vernon, in partnership with the cities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton, will also call for meaningful justice reforms to address repeat offenders and the strain they put on resources, the general public, and businesses.

Those cities will also advocate for improvements to key intersections along Highway 97 through the North, Central and South Okanagan, as well as the paving of Forestry Service Road 201, which is used as an alternate route during highway disruptions such as the landslide between Peachland and Summerland in August of 2023.

The city said in a release that “these initiatives are vital for long-term planning, climate resilience, and economic sustainability across the Okanagan region.”

The UBCM convention will be held in Victoria Sept. 22 through the 26th.