Index of articles and other material regarding the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)
In 2025, a UBCM resolution omitted late due to error, was advanced and passed, calling for a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable.
This had been lobbied for by the BC Real Estate Association for several years.
As a result, my investigations into this issue showed a shocking lack of transparency at UBCM, a representative organization for Local Governments, which may not even be allowed for the conduct of Local Government affairs.
The major question: Where were the minutes?
Finally, the ‘minutes’ arrived, yet the bare bone minutes didn’t even record which elected officials (delegates) voted for which resolution, showing a major lack of transparency and accountability.
As a result of the critical questions that this issue has brought up CRD Watch now has an index of articles and other material regarding UBCM.
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CRD Watch features:
1. 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
2. “No, we do not have minutes.” – The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) fails to document meetings that lead to resolutions. – CRD Watch Homepage
3. 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.” – CRD Watch Homepage
4. After repeated failures by UBCM officials to provide minutes of their meetings when asked, and repeated denials over their availability; UBCM’s Executive Director has now provided minutes from previous years. The bare bone ‘minutes’ fail to even record how the individual elected officials (delegates) voted on resolutions. – CRD Watch Homepage
5. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) does not know if public bodies, the UBCM, and the Municipal Finance Authority, fall under Freedom of Information Legislation. – CRD Watch Homepage
6. How much was George Stroumboulopoulos paid, for being Keynote Speaker for the 2024 UBCM Conference? – CRD Watch Homepage
7. No Transparency: The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) denies that it is subject to Freedom of Information legislation. – CRD Watch Homepage
8. The Municipal Finance Authority reveals how much it paid UBCM as sponsorship for the 2024 keynote address at which George Stromboulopoulos spoke. UBCM however, continues to stonewall. – CRD Watch Homepage
9. West Coast Environmental Law Opposing Bill M216, and UBCM is deeply concerned about the Bill’s implications, calls on Local Governments to Respond. – CRD Watch Homepage
10. Lack of Accountability: OIPC Case Review Officer, declined my Freedom of Information Request to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) on the basis that UBCM is immune from the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). – CRD Watch Homepage
11. Letter of reconsideration to the OIPC in regard to the governmental stance that UBCM is not subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act: – CRD Watch Homepage
12. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), has concluded that the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is not subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act – CRD Watch Homepage
13. New petition: That the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) be subject to Freedom of Information (FIPPA) – CRD Watch Homepage
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External articles and other references:
Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable – British Columbia Real Estate Association
Cities, housing groups want B.C. to launch permanent housing roundtable – Victoria Times Colonist
Coalition of 10 Organizations Call for Creation of BC Housing Roundtable
British Columbia Real Estate Association / Trevor Koot, Chief Executive Officer – 12-Month Lobbying Summary – Lobbyists Registry – Office of the Registrar or Lobbying of BC
https://www.ubcm.ca/about-ubcm/latest-news/ubcm-encourages-local-government-response-bill-m216
CRD Watch Homepage 