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Members of City Council met with the Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs while attending the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Vancouver last week. (Left to right: Councillor Ron Popoff; Councillor Lynnette Wray; Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs; Mayor Wayne Price; Councillor Wayne Stetski; Councillor Wes Graham.) Photo City of Cranbrook.

Cranbrook, BC (September 23, 2024) – At last week’s Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Vancouver, pressing issues like homelessness, housing shortages, and public drug use took center stage, along with the upcoming provincial election in October. The City of Cranbrook was represented by Mayor Wayne Price, Councillors Popoff, Wray, Graham, and Stetski, and CAO Mark Fercho. Their participation highlights the city's commitment to addressing these challenges and engaging in discussions that will shape future policies.

“Those of us who attended UBCM each took in a real variety of forums, workshops and policy sessions made available to us at the conference, along with several meetings with key Ministries to talk about important issues for us here in Cranbrook,” says Mayor Wayne Price. “Overall, it was a very busy week, but it was very positive.”

Councillor Wes Graham was also part of a session representing Cranbrook highlighting costs of homelessness to the municipality. Immediately following Council Graham’s presentation, the City of Terrace presented their issues and costs of homelessness which highlighted that they are in the same boat as Cranbrook.

In addition to the resolutions that were discussed and supported by communities from all over BC, Cranbrook representatives also met with specific provincial ministries on Cranbrook specific matters. Over the course of the week, members of Council had meetings with several provincial Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and with the election almost underway, including their senior Ministry staff that do not change after elections, on critical issues facing Cranbrook including:

• Honourable Niki Sharma, Attorney General & Glen Lewis, Director of Police Services 
  Discussed City experiencing increase in property crime associated with drug abuse, mental illness, and other factors. City requested a review of legislation around holding frequent offenders of property crimes rather than releasing them so quickly after an arrest, as the business and taxpaying community is reaching tolerance breaking point.
   
• Allison Bond, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  Discussed vulnerable people coming to Cranbrook and staying to access social services, then residing in area increasing the vulnerable and homeless population. City requested provincial support to offset costs to local taxpayers for providing socials supports and improved transportation back to their home communities with supports.
   
• Jonathan Dube, Deputy Minister, Mental Health & Addiction
  Discussed use of illegal drugs is on the increase in Cranbrook for youth 19 years of age, both non-Indigenous and Indigenous resulting in overdoses and deaths, and highlighted that overdoses are now the number one health emergency being dealt with by Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. City requested that a residential detox and treatment centre for youth be established locally for the region, and considering charging drug dealers that sell drugs resulting in death with criminal charges for those deaths rather than just for the sale of drugs.
   
• Honourable Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  Discussed critical provincial funding to support the cost for the rebuild of the Gold Creek Dam, to ensure the community has a safe and secure water supply to address challenges faced around climate change, droughts, extreme wildfire seasons. Lack of housing was also discussed.

“Each of these important meetings reflect a proactive approach by Council to try to address serious issues Cranbrook is facing and gather the necessary provincial support,” says Mayor Price. “On behalf of Council, I want to thank each of these Ministers, Ministries and staff for the time made available for us to meet with them. I am hopeful that these discussions will help positively move things forward.” 

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) serves as an important platform for local government, helping to develop shared policies and positions that are communicated to provincial and federal governments, as well as other organizations involved in local matters. The annual UBCM convention is an opportunity for members to come together, identify key policy issues, and engage in meaningful discussions with other levels of government. For more information about UBCM, visit their website at www.ubcm.ca.