Sooke council has returned home feeling successful after a brief excursion to Nanaimo, advocating for human rights and new tax policy.
The council spent the weekend in Nanaimo for the annual Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) convention.
A news release stated they returned with “positive energy, strengthened regional connections, and advocacy momentum for the community.”
The AVICC is a group representing local governments from across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and other coastal regions. It is one of five area associations under the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) that aim to create a collective voice advocating for shared challenges – from transportation and housing to infrastructure funding and climate resilience.
Their annual convention, held April 11-13, is meant to bring together elected officials to network, learn and collaborate, while voting on resolutions to shape their efforts.
“One highlight of the convention was the unanimous support for a District of Sooke resolution calling on the province to address the backlog of complaints before the BC Human Rights Tribunal,” writes Christina Moog, Sooke's communications manager.
The resolution urged the province to implement a recommendation from the From Hate to Hope report by the BC Office of Human Rights Commissioner, which ensures funding to the tribunal to improve timely resolution of such complaints.
“When someone brings forward a human rights complaint, they should be met with a timely, fair and respectful response,” said Coun. Jeff Bateman.
“The current 18-month turnaround is too long and the province needs to fund additional tribunal staff. We’re encouraged to see this call for enhanced service backed unanimously by local governments across the Island and coastal regions.”
The resolution will now be brought to the UBCM convention in September, where council will highlight an additional advocacy item calling for updates to taxation provisions under The Local Government Act.
Currently, the act only allows municipalities to collect one per cent tax of subscriber revenue from utilities like telephone and cable, however, it omits internet and mobile services, despite their dominant use.
“As municipal expenses rise, tax revenue from traditional utilities is shrinking – leaving fewer financial resources available to provide the local services people rely on,” said Bateman.
“Modern communication infrastructure should be reflected in modern tax legislation.”
