Complete lack of transparency: “As far as UBCM Resolutions Committee and my role as chair no we do not take or distribute minutes of the plenary sessions.”
By Sasha Izard
Oct 19, 2025
In two previous articles, I showed that the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) resolutions process is lacking in transparency and accountability. UBCM is the organization for local governments, to lobby the Provincial Government.
The proposed “Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable” is an astroturfing effort by the Real Estate Lobby in BC, with the help of a complicit media in the province. Questions must be asked about close to $100 in value gifts to numerous MLAs. – CRD Watch Homepage
“No, we do not have minutes.” – The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) fails to document meetings that lead to resolutions. – CRD Watch Homepage
This article is a continuation of that investigation.
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On October 19, 2025 – I emailed Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry,
Hello Councillor Fry,
In the 2025 UBCM Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline, your name is listed under “Resolutions Omitted Due to Administrative Error”:
I have 2 questions.
1. Why was your name listed under this heading “Resolutions Omitted Due to Administrative Error”, and under the previous heading: “Report on Resolutions Received After the Deadline”?
2. What was the “Administrative Error” that lead to NR-123 Establishment of a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable, to not be included in the Resolutions Book?
Thank you,
Sasha Izard
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Councillor Fry responded:
Hi,
As chair of the Resolutions Committee at UBCM, I am responsible for introducing certain blocks of items at the plenary (rules, procedures, special resolutions, etc). Introducing Resolutions Received After Deadline is one of those roles.
The administrative error was UBCM staff did not receive and process the resolutions due to some sort of accidental oversight, perhaps due to the volume of resolutions or an email error. Once the omissions were noticed in the Resolutions book, the error was noted and the items were brought as Resolutions Received After Deadline.
Hope that’s helpful
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I replied,
Hi Pete,
Thank you for your quick response. It is helpful.
Do you mind explaining what the plenary is?
Thank you again,
Sasha Izard
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Fry responded:
The plenary is essentially the “Resolution Sessions” at convention whereby all the voting delegates are able to attend, debate and dispense with resolutions (this year 270+). There are four (elected local govt rep) committee members, a parliamentarian and staff support at the dais and anywhere from 300-1800 voting delegates in the room.
More on process here https://www.ubcm.ca/sites/default/files/2021-05/Handling%20of%20Resolutions%20at%20Convention.pdf
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Hi Pete,
Thank you again for your quick, detailed and helpful response.
Were there are any minutes taken of the plenary?
Thank you again,
Sasha
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Fry responded:
I don’t know.
Typically, as far as I know, only the vote outcomes are recorded, not transcripts. UBCM posts videos from convention but as far as I know, not the Resolutions sessions (there are four over three days). Often delegates will record videos of their resolutions progress and debate but I haven’t seen anything to that effect
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Hello Councillor Fry,
Thank you again for your response.
As in your words, you are “chair of the Resolutions Committee at UBCM, I am responsible for introducing certain blocks of items at the plenary”, can you find out if minutes are taken of the plenary?
Thank you again,
Sasha
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Hi
You asked “Were there are any minutes taken of the plenary?” – I don’t know, based on media, delegates and others in the room who may or may not be taking notes.
As far as UBCM Resolutions Committee and my role as chair no we do not take or distribute minutes of the plenary sessions.
It sounds like from here you may want to address your questions to UBCM staff as far as what kind of records are taken and available – its not a function of my role.
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Thank you Councillor Fry,
Why does UBCM not take or distribute minutes of the plenary sessions?
“It sounds like from here you may want to address your questions to UBCM staff as far as what kind of records are taken and available – its not a function of my role.”
Which staff member should I ask the question to?
Thank you again,
Sasha
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Fry didn’t respond.
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Conclusion
In British Columbia, local governments are legally required to take minutes of their council and committee meetings, as mandated by the Community Charter for municipal councils and the Local Government Act for regional districts. These minutes must be certified, kept safe by the corporate officer, and made available to the public.
Local government open meeting rules – Province of British Columbia (Accessed: Oct 19, 2025)
Community Charter
(Accessed: Oct 19, 2025)
Why is it then, that minutes do not appear to be taken at UBCM resolutions sessions, at which resolutions put forward by local government councils, are voted on by elected local government officials, and put forward to the province?
This is the giant elephant in the room question.
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On Oct 19, 2025 I sent that question to the Minister Responsible for municipal affairs:
Hello Christine Boyle Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs,
From what I understand, in British Columbia, local governments are legally required to take minutes of their council and committee meetings, as mandated by the Community Charter for municipal councils and the Local Government Act for regional districts. These minutes must be certified, kept safe by the corporate officer, and made available to the public.
Is it legal for the Union of BC Municipalities (which each year involves many dozens of the same elected local government officials), to not take minutes of its resolutions sessions/resolutions committee sessions/plenary sessions?
Thank you,
Sasha Izard
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On November 19, 2025 – I received the following letter in response from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs:
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References:
“No, we do not have minutes.” – The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) fails to document meetings that lead to resolutions. – CRD Watch Homepage
The proposed “Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable” is an astroturfing effort by the Real Estate Lobby in BC, with the help of a complicit media in the province. Questions must be asked about close to $100 in value gifts to numerous MLAs. – CRD Watch Homepage
Index of articles and other material regarding the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) – CRD Watch Homepage
CRD Watch Homepage 
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