2013 UBCM Report The following report provides an overview of activities of the Islands Trust Executive Committee and senior staff while attending the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Vancouver, September 16-20, 2013. Chair Sheila Malcolmson and Vice Chairs Ken Hancock and Peter Luckham attended the convention on behalf of the Islands Trust Council, Trustee Jan Hagedorn attended on behalf of the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee, and Municipal Trustee Andrew Stone attended the convention on behalf of the Bowen Island Municipal Council. Chief Administrative Officer Linda Adams also attended the conference. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 A SNAPSHOT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT – FIRST NATIONS LANDSCAPE (PL) A panel discussion hosted by Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair. Panellists were: • Chief Robert Joseph • Grand Chief Edward John • Minister John Rustad • Assistant Deputy Minister Colleen Swords • Huu-Ay-Aht First Nation Councillor John Jack (also Alberni Clayoquot Regional District director). Panellists were asked four questions by Justice Sinclair: 1. What do you think about reconciliation? 2. What is the most important lesson learned from residential schools? 3. Why is reconciliation important to local government? 4. What can we (all) do in light of what we know? The session began with Councillor John Jack: “reconciliation is like couples counselling on a grand scale". The following are the messages taken from the panellists’ answers to the questions: • We need to do things differently; we need to understand the inequities of the past and those of the present. • There are social barriers that are limiting the ability for all of us to reach our full potential. • We cannot force reconciliation, but we do need to embrace it. • Finally, the real messages were: we need to get to know each other, embrace our differences, it starts with each of us, and we can build relationships one by one. UBCM’s review of the session is available here: http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/meta/news/news- archive/2013-archive/session-panel-explores-the-meaning-of-reconciliation.html 1 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 FORUM CLINICS RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE (LA) This session was presented by Robyn Durling, Director, BullyFree BC (http://bullyfreebc.ca/) and Councillor Michelle Bell from the City of Duncan (who is also a Director of BullyFree BC) In 2011, BC enacted Bill 14, (Workers Compensation Amendment Act) which expands the coverage of injuries to include mental disorders arising from workplace bullying, harassment and other workplace stressors. Bill 14 imposes new duties for employers which will be in effect as of November 2013. This session explored the impacts of the new legislation on local government, reviewed recent labour decisions and discussed the negative economic, organizational and social impacts of workplace harassment. The introductory part of the clinic consisted of a PowerPoint presentation that outlined what bullying is (and what it is not) and described some of the impacts it has on workplaces and worker productivity. In the UK, an estimated 18.9 million working days are lost each year due to the impacts of bullying. The session also included several small group sessions, with participants asked to discuss their experiences with bullying in the BC local government setting. Participants discussed experiences such as bullying of elected officials by other elected officials and the public, and bullying of staff by elected officials and the public. The session concluded with a legal review of the topic. It was noted that employers must treat a bully in the workplace like any other workplace hazard (i.e. an unshielded saw blade): they must take steps to prevent or minimize the hazard, and develop policies and procedures regarding prevention and management of the hazard. A toolkit will be available to assist organizations in responding to the new requirements. CHANGES TO THE FISHERIES ACT (PL/SM) Presented by Brad Fanos and Jason Hwang, staff with the Fisheries Protection Program of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). They presented the proposed changes to the federal Fisheries Act that will come into effect in 2014. Changes will not affect the present levels of enforcement. There are now fewer area offices, having already changed from having area-based habitat biologists to a focus on centralized referral management. There is limited coordination with the BC government. DFO’s role in Environmental Assessments has changed; it is no longer the lead agency, and won’t screen projects, but now focuses on giving advice (presumably to other agencies, because the speakers also said “DFO can’t provide advice and support to project proponents as in the past. Proponents can read the website instead e.g. Working near Water is a publication proponents can read”). It was also noted that the Minister would retain the right to override the regulations if it was in the "public interest"; “Nothing can fetter the Minister’s discretion, and this might not favour the fishery”. UBCM’s review of the session is available here: http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/meta/news/news- archive/2013-archive/dfo-pledges-to-maintain-bc-fish-habitat.html SMALL TALK FORUM (KH) The Small Talk Forum is an opportunity for discussion amongst the elected representatives of small communities with populations below 5,000 people. The program was focussed on presentation of three small community success stories interspersed with discussion on challenges to small communities. Moderator Dan Rogers (former Mayor of Prince George and broadcaster) opened by stating that, in his opinion, local government is the most effective form of government with its ability to see and respond to change more quickly than regional, provincial and federal governments. He said that what he hears frequently from senior governments is that “due to budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off”. He gave some communications advice to the attendees, including the importance of having clear objectives and seeking out opportunities to educate and use the art of persuasion before using legislative authority and that when dealing with media to remember that the question is not nearly as important as the answer. 2 Highlights of Local Government Presentations The Village of Fruitvale's success story was presented by Mayor Patricia Cecchini, who told about their Senior Outreach Project, funded by two UBCM Age Friendly Planning Grants of $10,000 and $20,000. The project began with the use of focus groups in consultation for review of the OCP which included organizations and individuals with an interest in seniors’ issues. Part of their work included creating an inventory of services, facilities and programs oriented to seniors. Some of their process included hosting ‘meet and greets’ for members of their community and neighbouring communities to which all ages were invited. These meetings, now mainly social in nature, continue on to this day, providing opportunities to pay respect to seniors, combat social isolation and connect seniors with services. As a result, the community has developed programs (passive and active) and publishes a seniors’ calendar, and a handy-person resource list with pre-screened contractors and volunteers to help seniors remain in their homes. They have also created a “buddy system” to match seniors with other seniors who check in on each other's wellbeing and assist with errands. The town council also sponsors monthly “thanks for being our seniors” luncheons with school kids and town councillors serving the lunch. All of this is coordinated by a part-time seniors’ coordinator at a total cost of $22,000 a year. Other programs include a volunteer community garden and beautification project, a school-based intergenerational crafts program and computer education classes. They have volunteer driver program which uses a toll-free number and a Gatekeepers Training project which works on prevention of senior abuse and neglect. The Village of Sayward discussed issues involving infrastructure and Gas Tax funding, including their inability to raise adequate matching funds for important, much needed infrastructure projects. The Town of Chetwynd had similar issues with Gas Tax funding for sewer, water and roads and a concern that a UBCM decision to support broadening eligible project categories including solid waste, airports, short line, railway, broadband, short rail and tourism infrastructure will dilute the ability to focus on core infrastructure needs. UBCM is currently surveying local governments on the question and the feedback is that senior governments should not be directive. Note was made of some possible provincial pushback to restrict funding to core infrastructure. The Town of Queen Charlotte spoke to their profound concern about continuing cuts to BC Ambulance Service funding. They presented a compelling case that remote areas are at risk and suffering from an urbanized approach to providing service. Some of the challenges are a result of splitting ambulance crews apart into different communities which are air and ferry trips apart which has resulted in huge delays. They also asked the question as to how do communities even know if they are adequately staffed? Some of the potential solutions presented included aide training and making needed changes to allow paramedics to work and stay in the community. They acknowledged that community- funded and volunteer first responders are trying to fill the gaps but were never intended to replace BC Ambulance paramedics. They stated that there appears to be no long term or short term sustainable plan to deliver the service of BC Ambulance and that the very low “on call pay” contributed to the service being not reliable or sustainable. The Town of Stewart shared a success story about improving and promoting their port facilities with their “World Port Project” promoting Stewart as Canada's most northerly ice-free port. The District of Taylor raised issues associated with remediated sites and brownfields and the roles that provincial and local governments can play in site remediation and redevelopment.