Image Credit- UBCM

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: UBCM delegates should boycott Chinese government reception

Jun 25, 2019 | 10:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — THE UNION OF B.C. MUNICIPALITIES is under fire from some of its own members this week over a reception put on for delegates to its annual convention each September.

The UBCM is the group that speaks for B.C.’s mayors, councillors and regional district directors. The event in question is a shindig thrown by the People’s Republic of China for convention attendees.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West indignantly points out that the Chinese government not only hosts a reception but pays the UBCM to be a sponsor. The UBCM president, Kamloops Coun. Arjun Singh, has confirmed the sponsorship is worth $6,000.

West considers the whole situation unethical and froths about a foreign power paying to gain access to B.C.’s local government reps.

He’s being a bit dramatic. I’ve attended a couple of these Chinese government receptions — back when our two countries were getting along — and all I came away with was a few random business cards.

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It’s one of many ‘networking’ receptions at the convention. The difference is it’s the only one hosted by a government.

What needs to be understood is that China has worked hard to establish good business relations with Canadian cities for many years, and its UBCM presence is just one small but important part of that strategy.

The second reason for questioning the Chinese connection is more valid. China is not Canada’s friend right now.

At least for now, the UBCM says it won’t cancel the reception and the sponsorship. That’s unfortunate.

Every UBCM delegate now has a decision to make. Attend the reception, make nice and enjoy the appies provided by an unfriendly nation, or make a personal statement by boycotting it.

If zero delegates showed up, it would send the right message.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.