Keynote Address to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Victoria Conference Centre Victoria, BC October 25, 2006 [transcription]

Thank you very much (2005-06 UBCM President) Marvin (Hunt) and thank you for your brief introduction. UBCM has always extended a very warm and courteous welcome to the Province and to all MLAs to be able to participate and join with you in so many of your events. 

First, I would like to thank everyone for the welcome you extend to the Province each and every year. The UBCM annual conference reflects the on-going working relationship, the necessary working relationship, between the provincial and local governments.

And while this past spring and summer I had an opportunity to visit with many local governments – from Hazelton, to McBride, to Elkford and onto Cranbrook, Kamloops and back to Port Alberni, to name just a few – it’s UBCM week that allows me to meet with even more of you face to face. To not only speak with you but, just as importantly, to hear your perspectives and views and share that information with my government colleagues.

I’m also pleased to be here for my second address to UBCM as the Minister responsible for Local Government. At this time I get to welcome you to our Capital City, my home turf. Now, not that I would suggest anyone missing anything at UBCM this week, but if you get a chance after the Convention, come visit my hometowns of Oak Bay and Saanich. They are both celebrating their centennial anniversary this year. It has been a wonderful experience for both municipalities and for myself particularly as MLA. 

I’d also like to thank UBCM and the Executive for again putting on a successful conference – a forum where we share our experiences, build on our expertise, and take something back to our communities. These listening and learning experiences are as important as ever, given the challenges that we face in today’s world and the desire to provide for vibrant, integrated communities as presented in this year’s Convention theme. 

As a provincial government, we understand that desire. Five years ago, we sowed the seeds of change, knowing a sound economy is integral to British Columbia’s future. Prosperity means that we can help provide for the most vulnerable in our society, that we can have sustainable and vibrant communities, that we can build for the future.

Now, for those of you who were not involved in public life five years ago and are enjoying the success of your election last November and for those of you who were already involved in local government, I would like to visit the past for just a moment.  

After all, to look forward to the future, we must remember our past. Five years ago, we faced a $3.8 billion structural deficit. And we knew we had to provide the best value for each taxpayer dollar while balancing the budget – something everyone in local government can certainly identify with. At the time, a number of us at the provincial table had a strong history in local government and knew the importance of protecting funding to local governments. 

So, in 2001, the Premier told you at the UBCM Convention that we would not be reducing grants to local government. We kept this commitment and we went further. Not only did we protect small community grants for small communities and regional districts, providing you with grants of over $130 million since 2001, but last year the Premier committed to doubling the amount for the grant program.

This does not mean each community sees an automatic doubling of their grant but certainly the program will be doubled. We heard earlier today that one of our newest municipalities, the Village of Queen Charlotte, has now joined us. We know, as well, that you have growing populations and in some cases you may even have declining populations. 

Those are changes that will affect the funding formula. But nonetheless it was a formula we worked on with UBCM Executive and one that we believe is fair and equitable. This past year, we were able to increase these grants by $7 million and we will continue over the next three years to phase in the increments to meet the Premier’s commitment of doubling that program.

What that means is that by 2009 small communities and regional districts will have received an additional $70 million and that they will continue to see an annual $54 million commitment to this program. All in line with a new fairer formula developed in consultation with UBCM. 

Then there’s the traffic fine revenue. For those of you who attended UBCM in 2004 in Kelowna, you may recall the Premier’s announcement. I know many of you were expecting to hear, at that time, that municipalities would begin receiving 75 per cent of traffic fine revenue, a promise we had made to you. But I know many of you were taken aback when the Premier announced the return of 100 per cent of traffic fine revenue to municipalities. That was great news then and it remains great news now. 

So what has that meant in real dollars? Almost $50 million last year alone – which, when taking into account this year, means an additional $110 million since 2004. Dollars for your community, dollars that you allocate to public safety.  

It means more policing. It means smarter policing. Crime prevention and enhanced community safety. It’s about supporting innovative projects that are making our communities safer. Like in Delta, where they’ve hired civilian complaint takers so police officers can return to the beat. And in Kamloops, where 20 more auxiliary constables are now on patrol. 

That means more police visibility and that means regular officers are free to address more serious crime issues. Nanaimo has also tried something new, establishing a new community police station within the Oliver Road Recreation Centre. In all, the return of 100 per cent of traffic fine revenue to municipalities means 450 more municipal police, and if you add that to our boost in RCMP, as part of the Province’s crime fighting strategy, we will eventually see almost 700 more police out on the streets. 

So let me say today, that this year’s traffic fine revenue is ready to be transferred to your bank accounts and you will see this revenue very shortly. 

This year we asked communities to report back on how you’ve used these funds so that we can share your good ideas and practices with others. Most of you have already submitted reports on how you have used these funds to support policing, crime prevention and community safety and we’ll be posting a summary of your actions on our website. 

Now there are, however, a few municipalities we still haven’t heard from. There are about 10 of you who’ve not yet submitted reports. I urge you to finish up those reports and get them in. After all, you don’t want to see a blank space on the website beside your community’s name. 

Another key element to vibrant and integrated communities is infrastructure. Something many of you have been speaking to me about. Communities can and will continue to select their priorities and make them a reality.  

Two weeks ago, I was in Kelowna for the application launch of the Canada/BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund with Marvin, my friend. We were able to announce and launch $102 million from the provincial and federal governments; but when matched with your $51 million, your one third share from local government, that will yield a total benefit of over $150 million for BC communities. 

So if you haven’t heard yet, and I have been speaking to as many of you as possible, applications can now be done for the first time ever online, which will help the review process. So by next summer, local governments can hear the good news of those projects that can proceed and that will benefit your communities and regions. If you haven’t seen it yet, go to the Ministry of Community Services website to see how your community can apply. [Link: MRIF website]

MRIF picks up where the Canada/BC Infrastructure Program finished off. And that program saw the federal and provincial governments contribute over $500 million towards 312 projects around the province for a total of over $901 million in project value. The reason why that is important is that you should know we’re about to begin working with UBCM on the negotiations for the next tripartite agreement. 

I have certainly reminded the federal minister responsible for infrastructure, Minister Lawrence Cannon, that we’re looking forward to a next tripartite agreement – one that is more streamlined in order to make your local priorities a reality that much sooner. 

Infrastructure is imperative and is key to answering some of the challenges faced by British Columbia communities. By working together, we can realize economic and  environmental benefits that make a difference in the lives of our citizens. 

Governments can work together. We can work in partnership and last year’s BC Community Water Improvement Program is an example of this. The Province provided $80 million, covering two-thirds of the cost of projects from Cache Creek to Kimberley to Cumberland. We came through for local governments at a time when they needed a bridge between tripartite infrastructure agreements. 

These types of infrastructure projects are the seeds that help local governments provide the services needed in their communities. And it is up to local governments to nurture these projects to achieve the most benefits possible and to provide a balance. A balance of providing assistance, meeting obligations and seeing that incentives are in place that work to provide for social and economic development in your communities. This is a balance we also face at the provincial level in providing services to British Columbians. 

We know that there are no cookie-cutter solutions when it comes to the challenges of providing services, especially when there are such diverse communities throughout BC. That’s why we must work together to realize the collective vision of UBCM’s conference theme – social, cultural, environmental, economic sustainability for vibrant, integrated communities. 

We have certainly invested significantly in local communities. Since 2001, the Province has provided $1.3 billion to local governments and has leveraged another $600 million from the federal government for a total of nearly $2 billion dollars. That includes our annual grants to local governments, water improvement, better airports, affordable housing, libraries, recreation centres and Olympic live sites – all the things that make your communities better places to live. This includes $285 million in the Northern, Southern Interior and North Island Coast Development Initiative Trusts. 

Direct funding to UBCM tops $65 million for your organization to administer. It is offered in a myriad of areas to balance the needs of various communities and groups.

Funding programs range from emergency planning to crystal meth response, to community health, to the School Community Connections program, where the Province provided $10 million to help school boards and local government to revitalize underused facilities for community learning and activities.

And the $25 million for the Community Tourism Program, where local governments can tailor tourism planning to meet their community’s needs. That particular program I know is significant because we know that many communities around the province were looking to diversify into the growing economic opportunities of tourism. That $25 million that UBCM administers on behalf of the Province for the benefit of your local communities has allowed you to take up that challenge of increasing tourism in your communities.  

Municipal House, once it’s finished, will be a state of the art facility for UBCM, something we are proud to support with the gift of a site near the legislature.

And of course, our million-dollar investment in the Leadership Academy is key in giving our leaders of tomorrow a strong start. I heard from many of you this week that there were challenges in finding people to fill key positions in your administrative areas as well as nurturing new community leaders. This Leadership Academy will do just that.

So many projects, so broad based. 

Certainly, as creative solutions must be found and shared among local governments around B.C., our Ministry’s work also means balancing local and provincial interests. Ensuring the value of each and every taxpayer dollar and building on our province’s prosperity with prudence and forethought. 

Yesterday afternoon (Oct. 24, 2006) , I participated in the Community Opportunities Task Force session here at UBCM. This diverse group of local government and business representatives dedicated considerable time and diligence to exploring new ways to better deliver local government services, to exchanging points of view and to learning from each other and discussing issues in broad terms. 

The Task Force identified two strategic directions to build on our province’s current prosperity and growth. One suggests communities collaborate more in the delivery of services. The other recommends a stronger commitment on the part of local governments to work together to strengthen regional economies. The Task Force has done its job. It has explored new options and provided ideas. 

Now it really is your responsibility to look at the proposed strategies and decide what is workable. I encourage you to read the report which is on the Ministry website. Think about those opportunities that exist for your community and region. Consult with each other on where you are able to work more collaboratively. I’d like to take this opportunity again to thank all the Task Force members, and in particular the original former co-chairs – Steve Thorlakson and the Honourable Murray Coell – for their leadership role in the first year. 

It is clear that when we work in partnership, when we dialogue and communicate, much more can be achieved, which brings me to another important initiative underway. The Conversation on Health – this is another chance to engage in genuine conversation to find a better way of doing things. The word “sustainability” is an important part of your conference theme of vibrant and integrated communities. How do we provide for citizens now and in the future?

The Conversation on Health is asking British Columbians how to make our province a healthier place, how to improve and renew our health system, so the services will be there for our children and our grandchildren in your communities. 

The current health budget accounts for 42 cents out of every dollar of the provincial budget and, given the challenges of our aging population – and that’s all of us here except for some of our newly elected, which will probably take a little longer – and the challenges of new technologies and treatments, the system simply isn’t sustainable at the current rate. 

If it continues unabated, we won’t have money for anything else, no policing dollars, no recreation dollars, and no infrastructure dollars; and, as difficult as this is to say, no grants to local governments. The floor is open for all British Columbians to “step up to the mic” and have a serious discussion on solving these challenges.  

And because the health of our citizens is so vital, a priority for all of us, the Premier launched ActNow BC in March of 2005 and you’ve heard me speak about it a few times already this week. Our Minister of State responsible for ActNow is the Honourable Gordon Hogg. We look to him to lead British Columbians in healthy living. 

You may be wondering what can you, as local governments, do? You can play a tremendous role in helping provide the resources to improve the health of our citizens, to lead healthier and more physically fit lives.

I applaud those communities that are making fitness and recreation their priorities and creating legacies. Whether it is Abbotford’s “In Motion” campaign, challenging people to 30 minutes of exercise a day for a month or creating trails that encourage people to walk or run or ride their bikes to work or supporting an event like the recent Royal Victoria Marathon where my colleague, the Honourable Gordon Hogg, led by example by completing his first 8k in years. For communities that would like to know more about how to get citizens involved, keep an eye out for the ActNow BC Community Toolkit. It’s being sent to city halls over the next couple of weeks. 

I’m also privileged to be the Minister Responsible for Seniors’ Issues and I’m proud to say one of our highest priorities is ensuring that our seniors are supported to live healthy and vibrant lives. Right now, close to 600,000 British Columbians are seniors – those aged 65 and over. By 2031 there will be more than a million of us and I do mean us, after all we are the seniors of tomorrow. 

In some communities, over 30 per cent of residents will be 65 plus within the next five years. We need to be prepared and that’s why the Premier established a Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues to examine how to support seniors’ independence and health, and their ability to continue as contributing members of society. This Council has consulted extensively with seniors and with organizations in a variety of B.C. communities and we look forward to receiving their report and their recommendations. 

Local governments can also play a significant and active role in supporting our seniors. I’m proud to say that Saanich was selected as one of 13 communities to take part in the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities Project. That project is looking at the livability factors for seniors and sharing that information with local governments so communities can become “senior-friendly” places.  

There are quality of life considerations that local governments can and should be dealing with: Transportation, mobility, recreation and access to services for seniors, to mention just a few. A curb can be modified, a recreation program offered. These sound like small items but can make a world of difference in someone’s life. 

Many of our seniors are homeowners. And while there has been a lot of good news regarding property value, certainly a vote of confidence in B.C.’s economy, we recognized concern among some of our citizens about the increased cost of housing.  

And so we acted. We increased the basic homeowner grant, we raised the threshold at which homeowners qualify and we expanded the eligibility for more people with disabilities. This means over a quarter of a billion dollars in the pockets of families and those on fixed incomes over the next four years.  

And, of course, as Minister Responsible for Women, I’m pleased to say our commitment to women remains strong. Just last year we implemented the largest funding increase in a decade, an additional $12.5 million for a total of more than $46 million for women and their children who are escaping violence. 

That has helped us to improve 24/7 access to transition house services, counselling support and many new outreach services. And this year we provided new funding for our Community Action for Women’s Safety grants that saw organizations in over 70 BC communities develop and initiate new or enhanced safety initiatives for women. 

The past five years have seen many changes for us all. During that time we, as a government, have come through on our promises. At the first UBCM where he attended as Premier, in 2001, Premier Campbell spoke of the changes required to restore our province to becoming the best place to live, to work, and to invest.

Five years later we are now a leader in Canada in economic growth, in employment and in small business growth. And just this month our province’s credit rating was improved to a Triple A rating – the second upgrade in less than two years but, more importantly, the first time since 1983 that we’ve received this Triple A rating. We’re also a leader in forging relationships with you, our local government partners.

Our goal is to become the best place on earth and remain that way for families, for small business owners, for employees, for neighbours and for communities.

I’m confident that if we continue to move forward in the spirit of partnership that’s brought us to where we are today, we have a very bright future ahead.

Thank you.

Premier Gordon Campbell's 2006 UBCM Speech:
Premier Campbell's speech

Minister Ida Chong's Photo Gallery:
UBCM 2006 photos.

Read BC Government's UBCM news releases.