Pubdate: Sun, 16 Sep 2012
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Bill Cleverley

AN OCCASION FOR POLITICAL PERSUASION

Municipalities convention brings together politicians from across
B.C

Metchosin wants marijuana legalized. Saanich is calling for emailing
of tax notices. Victoria wants more equitable police funding.

Those are just some of more than 200 resolutions up for debate Sept.
25 to 28 at the Victoria Conference Centre as about 1,000 local
government politicians from around the province arrive in Victoria for
the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention.

For some community leaders, the cut and thrust of debating resolutions
on the convention floor is what it's all about. For others, it's an
opportunity to shake hands and meet face to face with provincial
movers and shakers - something that municipal politicians from Greater
Victoria might take for granted but those living farther afield relish.

"People will choose where they want to be" during the convention, said
Victoria Coun. Chris Coleman, who is also a member of the B.C. caucus
to the federal Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Some want to focus on the wording of motions and amendments, while
others - including Coleman - prefer to take part in tours and study
sessions.

Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard said he encourages local colleagues not to
book meetings with cabinet ministers during the conference to give
officials from outside the capital region better access.

"There's almost a speed-dating look to these meetings," Leonard said.
"Every 15 minutes, the minister is meeting with a different
delegation. So you have to know what the 'ask' is and get to it quickly."

Both Premier Christy Clark and Opposition leader Adrian Dix will
address the delegates.

"They'll be speaking well beyond us to the cameras that are in the
room because it's a great opportunity for them to try to reach the
entire province," Leonard said.

He noted that the timing of the convention - the last before the
provincial election in May 2013 - makes it more interesting.

"Obviously, you want to catch up with some new cabinet ministers and
see if there's a couple of files you can see through to completion in
the next few months," he said. "At the same time, you'll be looking
for some opposition critics to try to get to know them by first name."

The convention also features clinics on topics ranging from tsunami
debris to spotting drug houses to responsible gaming.

Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said he was pleased to see more than 140
people had already signed up for a mayors' caucus to push for
regularized funding for infrastructure.

Cities use five-year capital plans, Fortin said, but many plans rely
on annual funding from senior levels of government, which have
different priorities. Fortin said he would like to see an indication
of how much funding will be received every five years, and work with
the government to determine regionally significant projects to which
funds can be applied.

Maurine Karagianis, a former Esquimalt councillor and current NDP MLA
for Esquimalt-Royal Roads, called UBCM conventions an "enormously
important" opportunity for municipal leaders to compare notes and to
present their concerns to provincial representatives.

"All provincial leaders should be there to listen to mayors and hear
what they want," Karagianis said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt