ROTHENBURGER – Schmoozing isn’t the only thing that goes on at UBCM confab

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

THERE’S AN ASSUMPTION that wildfires, homelessness and the housing crunch are going to be the heavy topics in the back rooms and on the convention floor of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention that got underway at the Coast on Monday.

That assumption is accurate and is already proving out but unless you’ve been to a couple of these gab fests it’s hard to fathom the process, so I’ll give you a quick rundown.

Much of what goes on at UBCM revolves around schmoozing at lunches, dinners and hosted receptions — known as the all-important “networking” but there’s more to it than that.

I’m happy to say Monday and Tuesday this year were light on the entertainment and heavy on clinics about important issues like reconciliation, climate action and drugs. And there are the 15-minute speed-dating meetings with cabinet ministers that never result in any commitments but are good lobbying opportunities.

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Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached atmrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.