COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Upcoming UBCM Meetings
Council met to prepare for the Union of BC Municipalities 2025 Convention from September 22 to 26 in Victoria, BC. Mayor and Council have been provided short meetings with eight provincial ministries and BC Hydro and discussed and approved the following key points:
Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs
Topic #1 – Discuss the need for a provincially-approved standardization program for streamlining permitting for modular homes; modular homes may provide affordable solutions for smaller communities.
Topic #2 – Discuss ways to curb land speculation to accelerate housing delivery.Ministry of Transportation & Transit
Topic – Provincial support and funding for Highway 97 safety, highway upgrades and increased transit options.Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Innovation
Topic #1 –Discuss potential partnerships to advance the New Monaco project in Peachland.
Topic #2 – To encourage downtown revitalization, request the development of grant programs or development incentives for smaller communities such as property tax breaks or by waiving development cost charges.Ministry of Tourism Arts, Culture & Sport
Topic #1 - Encourage Ministry to identify funding streams to support local arts and culture initiatives.
Topic #2 – Seek provincial support to expand and upgrade recreational infrastructure, increase program capacity and ensure equitable access.Ministry of Forests
Topic #1 – Seek increased funding for wildfire prevention, particularly proactive activities to reduce risk.Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship
Topic #1 – Request legislation to protect watersheds to maintain water quality and quantity, and grant communities the authority to manage their watersheds.
Topic #2 – Urge the Province to collaborate with local governments and Indigenous communities to establish watershed protection policies, provide dedicated funding and implement long-term solutions to ensure water security for future generations.BC Hydro
Topic –In partnership with West Kelowna, RDCO and Westbank First Nation, request a detailed schedule for the redundant electrical power project (second power line) for these communities, as well as identifying obstacles to delivery.Ministry of State for Community Safety & Integrated Services
Topic #1 – Discuss the development of grant programs to incentivize development in smaller municipalities such as property tax breaks or by waiving development cost charges.Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs
Topic #1 – Request provincial funding support and the prioritization of Federal funding opportunities for sewer infrastructure funding.
Topic #2 – Request to establish fixed annual funding for smaller municipalities to support long-term planning and delivery of critical projects.
Next Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, beginning at 3 pm. Council meetings are open to the public and webcast live. Find the full schedule by visiting www.peachland.ca/government/meetings. Find webcasts of past meetings at www.peachland.ca/government/meetings/archived-webcasts. Keep informed; subscribe to get news and event information emailed directly to you at www.peachland.ca/services/subscribe.