On Monday, hundreds of municipal leaders, politicians and town administrators will gather in Whistler for the annual general meeting of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Dozens of items will be discussed in the week-long session at the Whistler Conference Centre.
But top of the list will no doubt be Vancouver and Whistler’s bid to host the Olympics and the proposed upgrades to the Sea to Sky Highway.
At a transportation forum in Vancouver earlier this month some mayors and stakeholders were heard grumbling about the money which may flow to the Sea to Sky corridor because of the Olympics.
Also up for discussion will be the termination of the BC Rail passenger services, which include the Cariboo Prospector, The Pacific Skylight Dinner Train and the luxury rail cruiser the Whistler Northwind.
The Community Charter, which is expected to become legislation this fall, will also be discussed.
The Charter is designed to give municipalities the power to impose taxes, which at the moment, only the provincial or federal governments can impose.
Since various politicians will address or attend the convention, including Premier Gordon Campbell, municipal leaders often use the opportunity to lobby for their own causes.
