Affordable housing was front and centre at an annual convention for local governments across B.C., where City of Fernie councillors and staff discussed how to meet local housing needs.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) hosted the 2018 convention in Whistler, B.C., from September 10-14.
It featured talks on topics ranging from cannabis legalization and policing to health cost-sharing and green innovation, as well as a trade show, networking events and award presentations.
Chief Administrative Officer Norm McInnis and councillors Ange Qualizza, Dan McSkimming and Dennis Schafer represented the City of Fernie at the convention.
It was Qualizza’s fourth time attending a UBCM Convention, which she believes adds value to Fernie by accelerating the City’s response to funding opportunities, understanding new legislation and learning about solutions from other communities,
“This year the most valuable session I attended was called ‘Achieving Affordability: Current Policy and Future Needs’,” she said.
“We learnt about amendments to the Local Government Act that require us to collect information necessary to identify current and projected housing needs, and make this information available online. This will ensure our communities are making better decisions on our housing needs.
“I also was made aware of a brand new funding stream to support day care and I can’t wait to share that with our community.”
For McSkimming, convention highlights included cannabis legalization and municipalities’ role in that, policing, and a talk by Dragons’ Den host Arlene Dickinson on attracting entrepreneurs.
“She spoke about entrepreneurs and what communities can do to set the table, so that it’s more user friendly for people to come and live there, and start their business because you don’t have to be in a city to be in a big business anymore,” he said.
McSkimming also enjoyed sitting down with representatives from other communities to learn from their experiences.
“For me it was an education trip, it was going to seminars and listening to experts in various areas… and listening to other communities’ success stories and trying to learn the good and bad of some of the things that they’re doing that may help Fernie and I think some of those things are leaning towards – because it’s a big thing for the province right now – affordable housing and monies that will be available and different routes we can go for. That I think was probably my biggest takeaway,” he said.
McInnis spent the first day of the convention with 13 other resort municipalities and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture staff to discuss the development of regional tourism plans that will lead to a provincial strategy.
“The Fernie Tourism Master Plan will need to align with provincial goals,” he said.
McInnis also attended sessions on a range of topics, including ammonia risks and community wildfire resiliency, and met with other CAOs from around the province to discuss the upcoming municipal election.
It was McInnis’ second UBCM after spending 16 years as a CAO in Alberta and he found it a refreshing experience.
“The annual conference in the two provinces is a lot different with provincial government officials being much more present and approachable in B.C.,” he said.
“This was a highlight for me, the ability to directly interact with Ministers and Ministry staff.”
McInnis said there were a number of new grant programs announced that fit with the City’s strategic priorities and would be considered in Fernie.
“We share many of the same challenges in many communities,” he said.
“Hearing how others are dealing with housing, child care spaces, community economic development, cannabis legalization, infrastructure renewal and other issues provide ideas to test in Fernie.”
