By Jill Sperling

Kamloops councillors in Victoria this week for UBCM Convention

Sep 25, 2016 | 5:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — Municipal politicians from across the province have converged on Victoria ahead of this week’s UBCM convention. 

Kamloops City Councillor Arjun Singh says the convention provides an opportunity for community leaders to voice their concerns. 

“There’s a lot of things to do in terms of meetings with various provincial government ministers and bodies, learning session, and resolutions,” Singh said. 

Singh has spear-headed one of two resolutions Kamloops plans to put forward this week. He wants to see the UBCM office work more closely with the Auditor General for Local Government to ensure audits are more conducive to local government needs.

A second resolution is to have UBCM work with the Kidney Foundation to increase the number of people registered as organ donors.

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: A fond farewell to the airwaves from the Armchair Mayor

3h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Short-term rental rules coming into effect in British Columbia

22h ago

Singh, who serves on the UBCM executive as third vice-president, has a busy week ahead.

“I’m actually spending a lot of time all week with climate action issues and housing issues,” Singh said. “I’m helping host a couple panels, a couple sessions, on those particular topics. There’s a huge variety of things, as the province is so wide and various the convention goes the same way.”

Kamloops City Councillors will also have the chance to hear from prominent provincial and national leaders.

“We have a series of speakers by provincial political leaders, the premier being the most notable, the leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Green Party,” Singh said. “This year we’re also having a federal address by the National Minister of Infrastructure, Minister Amarjeet Sohi is coming to talk to us about the federal plan for infrastructure planning which is obviously a huge file for us.” 

Another matter of importance to Kamloops City Council is the KGHM Ajax mine. They will be meeting with the Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennett, on that topic.

Tina Lange is the only councillor not attending the convention.

The Mayor of Merritt and his council are hoping they’ll be able to find a way to keep the Tolko sawmill operating in their city. Neil Menard and council members hope to be able to convince the government to allow an increase in the annual cut to provide more wood to keep the sawmill going. The mill announced last week it was closing December 16th. Menard admits it won’t be easy to change the rules, but he says council won’t go down without a fight. MLA Jackie Tegart said last week she’s hoping a meeting can take place at the UBCM convention in Victoria to discuss the seriousness of the issue. The convention starts today.