RDCK brings forward resolution urging province to legislate ‘consistent, fair and equitable home insurance
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The regional district board is looking to level the playing field when it comes to homeowner insurance.
A resolution has been passed by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) board of directors to urge the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to petition the province to introduce and adopt legislation “to provide insurance to all homeowners with provisions that are consistent, fair and equitable to all homeowners in the province.”
The resolution, which was passed at the May 19 board meeting, was driven by the uneven field for insurance for rural and urban residents.
According to the resolution, homeowner insurance coverage across B.C. is unavailable or is “prohibitively expensive for many homeowners in rural and remote areas or in areas serviced by cable ferries.”
In addition, homeowner insurance policy provisions across the province are deemed inconsistent, are subject to reductions in coverage when homes are sold or transition from construction insurance to regular homeowner insurance upon occupancy, the resolution noted.
“(A)nd many policies cannot be renewed during wildfire season, which is becoming longer and more impactful each year,” the resolution explained.
Resolution procedures
The main forum for UBCM policy-making is the annual resolutions cycle.
It provides an opportunity for local governments of all sizes and from all areas of the province to express concerns, share their experiences and take a united position.
UBCM members submit resolutions first to area associations — municipal councils, regional district boards — for consideration. Resolutions endorsed at area association annual meetings are submitted automatically to UBCM for consideration.
Source: Union of B.C. Municipalities
The board also passed one other resolution:
• A call to maintain the tabular rate structure for community forest agreements in order to enable community forest agreement holders to implement modernized forest policies and to meet the full range of community objectives while operating viable businesses.
“Any change in the current tabular stumpage policy that results in an increased stumpage rates and additional administrative burden for community forest tenures will greatly reduce and undermine the capacity of community forests to provide key socio-economic benefits to the communities that they support,” read the board resolution.
What is a resolution?
A resolution is a “request” made by a local government to another order of government or another organization.
Resolutions can address nearly any topic, with a request for something. All local government members of UBCM are entitled to submit resolutions for consideration by the membership at the annual UBCM convention in September.
The resolution, if endorsed by the majority of the membership, is conveyed by UBCM to the other orders of government or other organization named in the request.
Upon receipt the other orders of government consider the request and provide a response, which UBCM analyses and shares with the sponsor and with the entire UBCM membership.
Source: Union of B.C. Municipalities
