News Archive

Indigenous Consultation & Engagement September 12, 2025 9AM - 12PM Registration is now open. NEW Course! Are you looking for training to help you get beyond awareness in your work with Indigenous Peoples? Are you ready to engage with an Indigenous community but aren't sure where to start? Join us for a half-day webinar designed to provide a guide to fostering sustainable, long-term partnerships between local governments and Indigenous communities. Offered in partnership with Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. , this training will: Review and build on the elements of consultation Understand the difference between consultation and engagement Learn when engagement turns into consultation Review what constitutes accommodation Review ways we can strengthen our consultation practices Prepare for questions your Indigenous counterparts will ask you Review the brochure and register online before August 29, 2025. Eligibility: B.C. local government leaders, managers, and staff who are directly responsible for consultation and engagement with First Nations. To get the most out of this training, it is highly recommended that participants have completed Indigenous Awareness & Indigenous Relations training or training with a similar agenda recently. If you wish to attend but do not meet the criteria or have any questions, please contact us at office@lgma.ca before registering. Cost: $255 + GST LGMA Member, $285 + GST Non-Member Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be provided after the registration deadline of August 29, 2025. Instructor: Norman Doerksen , Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

LGMA 2025 Pre-Conference Workshops In conjunction with the 2025 LGMA Annual Conference, don’t miss this incredible selection of full and half-day pre-conference workshops taking place on June 10! Workshop registration is separate from general conference registration and you don’t have to attend the full conference to register for these engaging workshops. Business Continuity Planning Team Intensive (All-Day) Offered in partnership with the Municipal Insurance Association of BC and with financial support as part of the work of the Sustaining Education Alliance from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC , this full-day workshop provides a guided opportunity to delve into an actionable business continuity planning framework you can take back to your organization. Attendees receive a toolkit with templates that can be adapted for each local government. Gain an understanding of the purpose and objectives of a business continuity program, learn best practices related to the business continuity lifecycle, and together with your colleagues begin to develop key elements of business continuity planning resources for your organization. Register online . Communication and Engagement Professionals Forum (All-Day) This jam-packed day will feature panelists who’ll share challenges, lessons learned and wins in their role as local government communicators. Keep current with best practices in information sharing and connecting with the people we serve. Topics will include practical approaches to crafting inclusive and accessible communications, best practices in supporting elected official communications, how to highlight the work of local government, and more. Take this opportunity to learn from peers, increase the effectiveness of your organization’s communications efforts, and expand your professional communications network. View the detailed agenda and register online . Modernizing Bylaw Enforcement: Navigating Complexities in a Changing Landscape (Half-Day) This interactive workshop examines a local government's journey modernizing bylaw enforcement while navigating complex, simultaneous policy development on homelessness, including sheltering and supportive housing. Participants will explore the creation and implementation of a new Bylaw Compliance Policy, Strategic Plan, and revised Parks and Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw. The session addresses community engagement challenges, particularly with outreach organizations focused on broader unresolved homelessness policy issues. Through case studies, attendees will apply the new policy lens emphasizing trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches, prioritizing community partnerships, and considering mental health in compliance strategies. Engage in hands-on learning and gain practical tools for effective and compassionate bylaw enforcement in a dynamic environment. Register online .

Introducing LGMA 2025 Annual Conference Keynote Speakers Announcing the two LGMA 2025 Annual Conference Keynote Speakers ! As part of this year’s program, we are thrilled to announce our two distinguished keynote speakers, each offering unique perspectives and invaluable expertise. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Alfredo C. M. Tan, a visionary leader known for his people-first approach to innovation and transformation, and The Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, a First Nations leader, bridge builder, and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Aspiring Leaders, Meet Your Instructors! Supervisor Essentials April 2, 9, and 16

Call for Time Capsule Items The Time is Now…All Systems Go! Wonder how your local government predecessors commemorated launching the millennium? And what do you think local government will look like in the year 2050? Exciting news - you are invited to look back to the past and into the future! The LGMA is opening up a time capsule from 1999. Come discover what was preserved 25 years ago to commemorate the cornerstone of local government before launching the new millennium. Take part in creating a new time capsule at the 2025 annual conference and leave a piece of your community’s legacy for future generations to discover in 2050. What do you believe represents your community, local government, or the sector during these times? From a photo of the new rec centre, a news article about a recent public engagement session, to a personal item that captures the spirit of your team, we’re excited to gather items for the new time capsule that you find memorable and will give future generations a glimpse into the past while: highlighting organization or sector achievements (e.g. a press release, fact sheet, or other write-up on the achievement or innovation); sharing memories created from interactions with local government peers, communities, or th e Association (e.g. a story, photograph, ball cap, event program, etc.); best representing these times in your organization, community, or the sector; or representing the role you see local government playing within your communities in another 25 years’ time. Your local government is constantly evolving, introducing new innovations and services, and even earning recognition for these efforts. This is your chance to showcase how your community is working to improve the lives of those to come. Items going into capsule will be shared with delegates at the 2025 Conference in June. Your item could take the form of a newspaper article, press release, or fact sheet; photograph; PDF of archival documents; poster montage; or something different. Consider items printed or written with archival ink on archival paper, undamaged metal or fabrics, and glass, stone, ceramic, or uncoated PET, HDPE, or PP plastics as the safest choices to stand up to time. Computer media (discs, memory sticks, etc.) are not requested as the computer device needed to read such files may no longer be available. Please also consider the size...the smaller the item, the more we can fit in! Don’t miss your chance to be part of BC local government history that is showcased to future generations! Apply now and submit your item by May 9. As an extra incentive, there will be three prizes of $50 towards a future LGMA program, with one winner in each of the following categories: Fan favourite Best historical submission Best future thinking submission Conference delegates will vote on the fan favourite, with a subcommittee of the LGMA Board selecting the other two categories. Winners will be announced at the event. Terms and Conditions: Multiple submissions are welcome. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 9 using the online form. LGMA cannot accept any submissions with unsecured copyright permissions; consent must be secured from any individuals shown within photographic submissions. By providing a submission you understand that time capsule space is limited and due to capacity, LGMA may limit the quantity of items included. Items must be shipped to the LGMA office to be received no later than Friday, May 30 th , OR may be brought directly to the Conference in Kelowna and submitted to LGMA staff by 3:00 pm, Tuesday, June 10 th . Be sure to attach a label stating your local government alongside a brief explanation of the item and why you feel it best represents your community/organization/the sector etc. Prizes must be accepted as offered. There is no cash or alternative prizes, in whole or part. Thank you for helping to celebrate the local government profession by co-creating a keepsake for future generations!

Member Award Nominations Now Open The LGMA Member Awards are now open for nominations early this year! Do you know of a local government colleague who has exemplified professional leadership, innovation or community and volunteer service recently? You are encouraged to nominate your colleagues who are deserving of such recognition. Additionally, we are continuing to celebrate the many achievements of our members with the two new categories introduced last year, further complementing existing LGMA Member Awards: • Most Impactful New Professional Award, celebrating the accomplishment, dedication, and spirit of a new professional working in local government under 5 years, and • Regional Chapter Award, recognizing excellence in supporting local government professionals within their region. Review the Membership Policy (section 3, Awards for Members) to see all awards categories and submit your nomination before May 2. Award winners will be announced on June 12 at our 2025 Annual Conference Awards Ceremony.

Member Spotlight on Heather Nelson-Smith

2023 Educational Scholarship Recipients LGMA is proud to provide ongoing support for professional development of our members and individuals aspiring to careers in local government and public service. Supporting the next generation of local government leaders is part of the important work the LGMA undergoes daily. Last year, the LGMA awarded $38,000 to 22 LGMA Educational Scholarship Recipients. Today, we are pleased to announce the individuals who have been selected as educational scholarship recipients for 2023. We would like to congratulate these exceptional students and wish them the best in their efforts to support building capacity within local government. Thank you to all the applicants who applied for the scholarships and we know you will continue to strive for excellence. Grant Anderson Commemorative Scholarship Reyhan Cuming – University of British Columbia Emily Burkholer – Simon Fraser University Emma Hender – University of Victoria Distinguished Members Legacy Fund Scholarship Recipients Sarah Dynneson – Capilano University Christopher Hutton – University of Victoria Aaron Li – University of British Columbia Sheldon McKinlay – University of Victoria Mirai Molina – University of Victoria Daniela Murphy – Capilano University Donna Petrie – Royal Roads University Karendeep Saini – University of Victoria Flynn Saunderson – Vancouver Island University Sydney Stoltz – University of Victoria Eva Yip – University of Victoria Ken Dobell Scholarship Recipients Sierra Leung – University of British Columbia Laura Taylor – University of Victoria Taylor Tucci – University of British Columbia Kate O’Connell – Royal Roads University Alysha Saville – University of Victoria Chelsea Smirle – Capilano University Shawnda Bundac – University of Victoria

BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship Now Open This year, the LGMA is opening applications for the 2025 BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship early!  Review our webpage for more information on eligibility and how to apply. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 15, 2025 , with notification to the successful candidate being given by the Local Government Management Association by December 12, 2025 at the latest.