Image credit: UBCM

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Schmoozing isn’t the only thing that goes on at UBCM convention

Sep 20, 2023 | 5:04 AM

THERE’S AN ASSUMPTION that wildfires, homelessness and the housing crunch are going to be the heavy topics in the back rooms and on the convention floor of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention that got underway at the Coast on Monday.

That assumption is accurate and is already proving out but unless you’ve been to a couple of these gab fests it’s hard to fathom the process, so I’ll give you a quick rundown.

Much of what goes on at UBCM revolves around schmoozing at lunches, dinners and hosted receptions — known as the all-important “networking” but there’s more to it than that.

I’m happy to say Monday and Tuesday this year were light on the entertainment and heavy on clinics about important issues like reconciliation, climate action and drugs. And there are the 15-minute speed-dating meetings with cabinet ministers that never result in any commitments but are good lobbying opportunities.

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Today, the real meat and potatoes of the convention are on the table. Resolutions sessions have started, with the 1,000 delegates voting on each other’s proposals in hopes they’ll be endorsed and presented to Victoria for consideration.

This year, there are 205 resolutions. They’ll be debated individually or in blocks; some will never make it to the floor for lack of time.

Resolutions from our region are surprisingly few. Kamloops has a couple on — you guessed it, substance use programs and transitional housing. The TNRD has one on funding for rural water systems.

But there are plenty of other resolutions on hot button issues, like drug decriminalization. You may have noticed it’s all about the money — UBCM’s role is largely about getting funding for civic governments.

And that’s why this convention has the potential to bring actual results from the considerable expense of sending a bunch of municipal councillors, regional district directors and staff to Vancouver for several days.

There’s the schmoozing, yes, but if they do their jobs, it’s worth it.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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