Details

WHEREAS young adults in our communities are less likely to vote in municipal elections and engage in civic affairs;

AND WHEREAS the City of Williams Lake has offered a successful Junior Council program to the community over the past four years which has provided an opportunity for youth to learn about municipal affairs and participate in the civic affairs of the community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCLGA and the UBCM establish a youth caucus that would provide an opportunity for youth to participate in sessions to engage youth in civic affairs and that the UBCM’s member communities be encouraged to establish youth councils in their communities.

Additional Information

UBCM Comments: The UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution requesting specifically that UBCM establish a youth caucus, and also encouraging UBCM member local governments to establish youth councils in their communities.

 However, UBCM notes that members considered but did not endorse resolution 2001-B41, which asked the provincial government to amend the Local Government Act to enable local governments to establish elected “Civic Youth Councils” that would provide input to local governments on youth-related matters.

 UBCM also notes that the previous year, UBCM members considered a related resolution (2000-B112) that requested similar amendments to the Local Government Act, without specifying that the “Civic Youth Councils” would be elected. The decision of the UBCM membership on the 2000 resolution was “no action required.”

 UBCM would observe that the establishment of a youth caucus and coordination of associated programs or events is outside the scope of current UBCM operations, and would trigger an increase in membership dues.