UBCM TACKLES CRIME, HOUSING

VANCOUVER -- 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, and marijuana growing operations all show
up as concerns on the agenda for the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.

Resolutions have been put forward asking for stiffer penalties for
crystal meth, more regulation of hydroponic businesses, and other
measures to help communities deal with crime.

The convention is the first since civic elections last fall.

The convention is being held in Victoria Oct. 23-27.

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.