Current News Releases

1. Okanagan Water Board Seeks Grant Applications to Address Drought and Other Water Challenges
   With an annual funding pool of $350,000, applicants that meet the program criteria can receive between $3,000 and $30,000 for water projects within the Okanagan Basin. Eligible applicants include Okanagan local governments and First Nations, irrigation districts and non-profit organizations.
   November 30, 2023
2. SCRD Board and Unifor Local 466 Ratify Four Year Collective Agreement
   The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board and Unifor Local 466 Negotiating Committee are pleased to announce that an agreement has been ratified between the SCRD and Unifor Local 466.
   November 29, 2023
3. City of North Vancouver Library Workers Ratify New Contract
   The three-year deal provides wage increases of 3 percent in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023 and 4 percent in 2024. It also includes a one-time lump sum inflationary support payment of 3.5 percent plus 1.0 percent, based on 2022 wages.
   November 27, 2023
4. Surrey Council Approves Final Concept Plan for Phase One of Surrey’s New 3km Riverfront Park
   Council has approved the final concept plan for the first phase of a new 80-acre park along the Nicomekl River that balances the environment, recreation and culture.
   November 24, 2023
5. UBCM Asks the Province to Withdraw Bill 45
   UBCM has received legal counsel that Bill 45, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, is intended to, and may in fact, limit the ability of local governments to manage homeless encampments. Bill 45 will apply to local governments seeking court injunctions to remove or regulate homeless encampments. Councillor Trish Mandewo, UBCM’s president, conveyed her concerns to Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon, in a meeting this Tuesday, and requested that the legislation be withdrawn.
   November 23, 2023
6. Open Data Portal Launched in Cranbrook To Improve Accessibility To City Information
   At launch, the Portal provides data like garbage and recycling zone pickup information, Zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) maps, underground infrastructure, land use information, LIDAR elevation data, updated aerial photography (2023) and downloadable property service cards for builders and contractors.
   November 23, 2023
7. Speculation Tax Expanding to New Communities to Deliver More Homes for People
   The speculation and vacancy tax will be applied to the following municipal boundaries to help ensure more empty homes are made available for the people who work and live there: Vernon, Coldstream; Penticton, Summerland; Lake Country, Peachland; Courtney, Comox, Cumberland; Parksville, Qualicum Beach; Salmon Arm; and Kamloops.
   November 22, 2023
8. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia Invest in a Wastewater Treatment Strategy in the Village of Daajing Giids
   Daajing Giids will improve compliance with regulatory wastewater requirements and enhance its capacity to protect fish and shellfish habitat, thanks to the combined investment of more than $1.5 million from the governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Village of Daajing Giids.
   November 22, 2023
9. The Government of Canada Invests in Transit Centre Upgrades in the City of Port Coquitlam
   Through this investment, TransLink will rehabilitate and expand the PTC, which serves bus routes in eastern Metro Vancouver. This project will increase the transit centre’s capacity to operate and maintain a larger and more diverse fleet of buses, including double decker and battery-electric buses.
   November 22, 2023
10. The City of New Westminster Offers Cash Prizes for Innovative Neighbourhood Design Ideas
    The City of New Westminster is launching the reGENERATE Ideas Challenge to seek bold ideas for reimagining the residential neighbourhood around 22nd Street SkyTrain station, a busy regional rapid transit station, in order to accommodate diverse housing and increase services and community amenities.
    November 21, 2023