To:

Constituents of Electoral Area D (Commodore Heights-McLeese Lake)

From: Cariboo Regional District Area D Director Steve Forseth

Date: Sept 26th, 2015

Subject: 2015 UBCM Convention/AGM

From September 21st 25th 2015 CRD Chair Al Richmond along with Directors
Ted Armstrong, Jerry Bruce, John Massier, Byron Kemp, Joan Sorley, Margo
Wagner, Dylan Cash, Roger William, Betty Anderson, Brian Coakley and I attended
the 112th Union of BC Municipalities Convention/AGM in Vancouver, BC. The
Convention Program can be viewed here while the Resolution Book can be viewed
here. There was also Emergency Resolutions concerning Syria Refugees and
review the Appurtenancancy Requirement for sawmills/pulp mills these were
also passed.

On Monday, Sept 21st, 2015 I attended the Moving Forward with First Nations
session, which gave information on how to have good/productive relationships
with our First Nations neighbours. I also attended the Making the Most of the
Back Country session, which primarily revolved around the registration
requirement for Outdoor Vehicles (ATV/Snowmobiles, etc), then in the evening I
attended the Young Elected Officials/Electoral Area Directors Meet and Greet
Sessions

On Tuesday, Sept 22, 2015 I attended the People, Money and Power: Involving
the Community through Participatory Budgeting Session with CRD Area B
Director Jerry Bruce. Then I attended with several of my CRD Colleagues the
Electoral Area Director Forum lots of frustration from Electoral Area Directors
around access to high speed Internet/cell phone coverage. This will be discussed
at the Oct 2nd CRD Board Meeting when TELUS presents on this subject where I
expect that frustration to continue. In the afternoon I attended the
Reconciliation: From Truth to Action Session, which discussed the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission activities and how to implement those
recommendations that apply to local government. Then in the evening I
attended the Municipal Insurance Association and UBCM Receptions


2015 UBCM Memo cont.




Page 2

On Wednesday, Sept 23rd, 2015 I attended the Opening Ceremonies of the 112th
UBCM Convention. I also attended the Politics, Accountability and the Future of
Open Meetings Session. I also participated in a Cabinet Minister meeting
regarding Mt Polley/Gibraltar Mines water discharge issues with my colleagues
CRD Chair Al Richmond, Area F Director Joan Sorley and our CAO, Janis Bell

Then I attended the North Central Local Govt Association Lunch.

In the afternoon listened to both the Fed of Cdn Municipalities President
Raymond Louie (Vancouver City Councillor) and the Hon. Peter Fassbender
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development give speeches to UBCM
Delegates.

Finally I observed the Resolution Debate view wrap-up here

Then in the evening, I attended briefly the BC Government Reception

On Thursday, Sept 24th, 2015 I attended the Liability and Risk Management for
Elected Officials put on by officials from the Municipal Insurance Association in
regards to your interaction with the public and possible risks to your local
government and tips to avoiding those risks. I listened to John Horgan (BC NDP
Leader) give an address to UBCM Delegates. Mr Horgan talked about the need to
have a respectful relationship with local government and it would be done if he
gets the opportunity to form Provincial Government in 2017. It was announced
that the 2015-16 UBCM President/1st Vice President would be Al Richmond (CRD
Chair/Area G Director) and Murry Krause (PG City Councillor) and that the 2nd VP
of UBCM would be East Kootenay Area F Director Wendy Booth and the 3rd VP of
UBCM would be Kamloops City Councillor Arjun Singh

I also attended a UBCM Delegate Lunch. I also sat in on Resolutions Debate Day
2 that included an emotional 30-minute debate on a rape culture Resolution from
the North Central Local Govt Association Executive. The Rape Culture Resolution
was adopted including an amendment on finding ways to improve the record of
conviction of those committing the heinous crime of rape. Read the outcome of
Resolutions Debate Day 2 here. In the evening, I attended the UBCM
Reception/Annual Dinner


2015 UBCM Memo, cont.






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On Friday, Sept 25th the Resolutions Debate was finished with the Resolutions
Book being completed and Emergency Resolutions being considered (Refugees
and Appertuancy) and those being approved read Resolutions Debate wrap-up,
Day 3 here

CRD Chair Al Richmond made his first address as the 2015-16 UBCM President to
those UBCM Delegates present

Finally we heard from BC Premier Christy Clark. Video from that speech can be
viewed here.

To conclude From my perspective, I learned little that I didnt know already,
didnt make many new contacts so I will be taking the time over the next few
months to re-evaluate if attendance at the 2016 NCLGA/UBCM Conventions are
worth my time/Area D taxpayer money to attend

The CRD Board will debate a motion at our October 2nd Meeting from myself as to
Cariboo Regional Districts future participation in UBCM, NCLGA and FCM as to
value for money so well see how that conversation goes at the Board table

As to costs to attend:

Air Transport - $336, fare/taxes included (WL Vancouver Round-trip)

Daily Fees - $480 ($120 a day to attend x 4 days. I made the decision not to
charge for the 5th day, even though CRD Policy permits me to do so)

Hotel unavailable as my hotel room was part of a CRD Room Block at the Sutton
Place Hotel in downtown Vancouver

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Forseth
Director, Electoral Area D
Cariboo Regional District