Pubdate: Sat, 07 Oct 2006
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Frances Bula, Vancouver Sun

CRIME, DRUGS, HOMELESS ON CITIES' AGENDA

Environmental Issues Also Rank High With Municipal Politicians At 
Annual Convention

Crime, drugs, housing and the environment will be the top issues when 
the province's municipal politicians gather later this month for 
their annual convention.

Crystal meth, biker gangs, pawnshops and growing operations all show 
up as concerns throughout the province, with communities from 
Langford to Port Moody to the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District 
putting forward resolutions for the Union of B.C. Municipalities 
convention asking for stiffer penalties for crystal meth, more access 
to anti-crystal meth programs, more regulation of hydroponic 
businesses, and other measures to help communities deal with various 
aspects of crime.

One small Vancouver Island town has even put forward a resolution 
asking for a provincial "anti-bunker" bylaw to prevent motorcycle 
gangs from building bunkers that they can use to prevent police from coming in.

Cumberland Mayor Fred Bates said his village, which is near Comox and 
Courtenay, hasn't had any problems like that, but he read a book 
about the Hells Angels that mentioned Quebec towns incorporating 
anti-bunker bylaws to deal with problems like that.

"It's the prevention that's important," Bates said. "You don't see 
the jackets, but there's organized crime here run in the area by bike groups."

Communities are also asking for more mental health and addiction 
services, more detox facilities, and more supportive recovery houses.

Housing is a hot topic as well, especially in the wake of Housing 
Minister Rich Coleman's announcements that the provincial government 
will begin a program of rent subsidies for low-income people. The 
premier's panel on homelessness is also due to report some 
recommendations at the convention.

While people welcome the infusion of some money into housing 
programs, many are still concerned that the provincial government is 
not doing more to build social housing. They also are concerned with 
the continuing rise in homelessness and the steady loss of affordable housing.

"The social issues are really coming to the forefront for local 
government," says Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, a past president of 
the UBCM. "People look to us, but we have the least power and only 
the property tax to pay for anything."

The 228 resolutions coming to the convention also show a high level 
of concern about environmental issues. The Greater Vancouver Regional 
District wants milk containers to be included in the paid-recycling 
program. Vancouver wants a measure to mandate a reduction in 
excessive packaging. Grand Forks wants the province to petition the 
federal government to require a certain level of cellulose ethanol in 
vehicle fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Four communities 
have resolutions asking for a tax on plastic bags.

For rural communities, the big issues are recent B.C. legislation 
that took away their power to regulate private power projects, a 
recent business recommendation to reduce taxes on industry that could 
dramatically affect mill towns, and the provincial government's move 
to have rural communities pay 100 per cent of their policing costs.

The convention is the first since civic elections last fall, which 
means that about 40 per cent of the politicians are rookies in the 
province's 209 cities and towns and the 27 regional districts.

The convention is being held in Victoria Oct. 23-27.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine