Prince George, B.C. – The Union of BC Municipalities annual  convention gets underway today in Vancouver, and  Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall  is hoping for some positive  results.

It isn’t lost  on  Mayor Hall, the  importance  of  the  convention taking place during the final  month of the Federal Election campaign “I think the expectations are to deliver a message to the  Federal  candidates  that are running, around the needs of municipalities, particularly around infrastructure, so what I’m looking at there is long term sustainable funding.”  Mayor Hall says he would  also like Municipalities to have the discretion on  how that funding is  used  “Give us some parameters, but  I think we want to have more discretion around the expenditure of that funding.”

Communities, Regional Districts from across the Province  have submitted 166 resolutions by the deadline, a slightly higher number of resolutions than in 2014.  There were a few late additions to that number,  but it  is not yet clear if the Prince George resolution, (the only one it submitted this year) which calls for  action on the Syrian refugee crisis,   will be allowed  on the floor  for debate  and possible endorsement.

The UBCM convention provides the opportunity for  municipal representatives to meet with Provincial Ministers, and Mayor Hall  says  his team  has booked some huddles ” As you know, we’ve already met with Minister Stone (Transportation )  and Minster Letnick  (Agriculture) so  we don’t have to meet with them, but we are meeting with  the  Minister of Education, Advanced Education, Social development and International Trade. I think the message  around the international trade piece is the vetting process  that the Province uses for may of the potential investors from  outside of Canada. We want to get  more information on that.  I think around the  advanced  education piece is certainly post secondary, is there something we   can do as a community?  We’ve had lots of conversations with UNBC and CNC, but what  can we do as a  municipality to work with those groups   specifically  around international education, We’re getting a lot of requests  for us to take  a  look at how we can  house international students here in Prince George.”

Seven members of  Prince George Council will be attending the  convention.

The 166  resolutions   cover a  variety of  issues, concerns include fire inspection in unincorporated areas; funding for infrastructure and public transit; pipelines; the scope of environmental assessments; the right to a healthy environment; mental health; preparedness and response to hazardous materials spills; and homelessness and affordable housing

The Premier will address the  UBCM on Friday at 11 a.m.