Local Government News

District of Sooke and Sooke School Board Renew Commitment to Cooperation and Partnership
The District of Sooke and School District No. 62 (Sooke) have renewed their Protocol on Cooperation and Partnership, reinforcing a shared commitment to collaboration that benefits students, families, and the broader community.
  Posted: June 27, 2025

City of Campbell River Investing in the Financial Resilience of Campbell River's Non-Profit Sector, through Partnership with Campbell River Community Foundation and Scale Collaborative
This acclaimed program is designed to equip local non-profit and charitable organizations with the strategies and tools needed to build long-term financial sustainability and resiliency. The program is being delivered to the community via a partnership with the Campbell River Community Foundation (CRCF) and Scale Collaborative.
  Posted: June 27, 2025

Civic Addressing Project in Squamish-Lillooet Area B to Improve Emergency Response and Public Safety
 The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is launching a civic addressing signage and installation project in Electoral Area B to enhance public safety, strengthen emergency response capacity, and improve access to essential services in rural communities.
  Posted: June 26, 2025

Strathcona Regional District Awarded $360,000 for Emergency Operations Improvements
The grant will support the purchase of high-frequency commercial radio equipment, specialized training, and the hiring of disaster communications technicians. These upgrades will expand the reach of the DisasterNet BC network - linking six more communities to a secure, provincewide emergency communications system.
  Posted: June 26, 2025

Zeballos Launches New Look for 2024 Annual Report
The Village of Zeballos has adopted its 2024 Annual Report with a fresh creative approach designed to increase public engagement and accessibility.
  Posted: June 25, 2025

Airport Improvements Support Economic Growth
Communities that rely upon regional airports, heliports and water aerodromes provincewide will benefit from funding provided through the Province of B.C.’s Air Access Program.
  Posted: June 25, 2025

City of Rossland Adopts 2025 Housing Needs Assessment to Guide Future Housing Solutions
The City of Rossland is pleased to announce the formal adoption of its 2025 Housing Needs Assessment (HNA). This important report provides a clear, data-informed picture of Rossland’s current housing landscape and outlines strategic solutions to address housing challenges over the next two decades.
  Posted: June 25, 2025

Expanded Borrowing Powers will Help Municipalities Deliver Infrastructure Quicker
Municipalities can now borrow up to 10% of their annual revenue, without having to hold a public vote, saving time and costs. These changes will help municipalities deliver a wider range of essential infrastructure more efficiently.
  Posted: June 24, 2025

Castlegar Council Approves First Step for Air Terminal Building Expansion
The City of Castlegar is advancing plans to upgrade and expand the Air Terminal Building at the West Kootenay Regional Airport.
  Posted: June 24, 2025

Zac George Sko-Kay-Lem House Post Honoring Tseil-Waututh Chief Dan George Now Stands Tall in Downtown Vancouver
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Mayor Ken Sim along with City of Vancouver Councillors and staff, joined artist Zac George Sko-Kay-Lem, his family and community partners to witness the blessing of a six-metre tall səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) house post now installed at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn, the plaza outside Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
  Posted: June 23, 2025

City of Armstrong and CUPE Local 2709 Ratify New Collective Agreement
In addition to a 4% market adjustment of wages effective January 1, 2025, the agreement includes wage increases of 4% in the first year, 3.5% in the second year and 3.0% in the third year.
  Posted: June 23, 2025

City of Rossland Adopts 2025 Housing Needs Assessment to Guide Future Housing Solutions
This important report provides a clear, data-informed picture of Rossland's current housing landscape and outlines strategic solutions to address housing challenges over the next two decades.
  Posted: June 20, 2025

Saanich Earns Two Awards for its Excellence in Planning
The District of Saanich received the Gold Excellence in Policy Planning – City and Urban Areas award for its Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS) & Urban Forest Strategy (UFS), along with a Silver Excellence in Planning Practice: Cities and Urban Areas for its Strategic Support for Non-Market Housing.
  Posted: June 20, 2025

Announcements

SMS LAW



Stewart McDannold Stuart is now SMS Law

Stewart McDannold Stuart has rebranded as SMS LAW. SMS is devoted to providing legal services to local governments and other public organizations across British Columbia.

The firm has matured into a dynamic and responsive organization comprised of more than a dozen expert lawyers backed by a specialized and experienced legal support team.

To read the full press release, click here. 

The Community Energy Association is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Climate & Energy Action Awards! These awards celebrate municipalities, regional districts, and Indigenous communities in BC working to advance actions related to climate and energy in their communities.

Do you know of a local initiative that deserves to be recognized? Nominate it! Share what it means for your community, how it contributes to resiliency and reduces (or will reduce) local greenhouse gas emissions, and the related benefits that are setting your community up for future success.

All the nominations are profiled by the Community Energy Association and will be featured in CEA’s August newsletter and the December edition of Municipal World Magazine. The winners will be announced at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in September.

The deadline to apply is Monday, July 14th at 11:59 am Pacific. More information, including the link to submit your nomination, is available on the CEA website: https://www.communityenergy.ca/awards/

For any questions, please get in touch with Mark at [email protected]