FSJ highlights big wins and stronger voice at 2025 UBCM Convention

Each year, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention gathers municipal leaders and staff from across British Columbia to work together, discuss key issues, vote on policy resolutions, and engage directly with provincial ministers.

The 2025 UBCM took place in Victoria from September 22 - 26 and provided City of Fort St. John council and staff with the opportunity to lobby on behalf of the North Peace.

“The annual UBCM Convention is a vital opportunity for Fort St. John to ensure our unique challenges and opportunities are heard at the provincial level,” stated Mayor Lilia Hansen in a media release.

 “From healthcare staffing to resource development, we were proud to bring forward solutions that reflect the needs of our residents and industries. I’m especially encouraged by the strong support we received for our resolutions and the productive conversations we had with provincial leaders, including a commitment from the Premier to visit our region in 2026.”

At this year’s conference, Fort St. John put forward six advocacy resolutions. Five of them gained strong support from delegates, touching on issues that matter to the community and the region.

These included making it easier for out of province and internationally trained healthcare workers to get licensed, improving the resource permitting process, expanding industrial electrification, securing steady funding for co-op housing, and pushing for greater transparency around RCMP invoices and contract costs.

The sixth resolution, which called on the province to develop a natural gas and LNG strategy, was referred to the UBCM Executive for further review.

To ensure there is continued representation for northern communities, Councillor Gord Klassen was elected to the UBCM Board of Directors according to a media release from the City.

Council members also sat down with Premier David Eby and four provincial ministers to discuss a wide range of priorities, including land use, permitting, support for natural resource industries, and stronger consultation with local governments.

According to the release, the city is eager to see the results of these conversations and remains committed to working alongside provincial partners to advance the interests of both Fort St. John and the entire Peace region.