Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)
UBCM is the voice for local government in British Columbia.
Convention continues to be the main forum for UBCM policy-making. It provides an opportunity for local governments of all sizes and from all areas of the province to come together, share their experiences and take a united position.
UBCM also works closely with federal and provincial governments to distribute funding to local governments. The two core funding streams are the Canada Community-Building Fund. funded by the federal government with a focus on community infrastructure, and a series of Local Government Program Services funded by the Province.
UBCM
The issue of grant funding directly to improvement districts has been raised many times. Until recently, the UBCM membership voted these resolutions down because of the fear that if IDs accessed money directly there would be more competition and therefore less funding available to Regional Districts. Provincial Response continues to encourage IDs to hand over assets and control to RDs and Municipalities.
UBCM Fact Sheet on Improvement Districts (PDF)
UBCM Resolutions
Funding for Water Improvement Districts 2022 Resolution Number NR49 Sponsor(s) qathet RD
Access to Infrastructure Grant Funding for Improvement Districts 2020 Resolution Number EB39 Sponsor(s) Central Kootenay RD
Improvement District Governance Policy 2019 Resolution Number B130 Sponsor(s) Nanaimo RD
Water Improvement Districts 2017 Resolution Number B74 Sponsor(s) Central Kootenay RD
Reports
Analysis of the BC Government’s Policy Restricting Improvement Districts Access to Water and Sewer Infrastructure Grant Funding
Scot Durward, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria, August 2017
Fit to Drink: Challenges in Providing Safe Drinking Water in BC A BC Ombudsperson Special Report from 2008. (See page 90 – Access to Funding)