What is Resolution B121?

That’s the question delegates attending the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Vancouver September 24-26, 2019 were asking when they stopped by the ATVBC tradeshow booth.

ATVBC booth at the 2019 Union of BC Municipalities Tradeshow in Vancouver September 25-26, 2019.
ATVBC’s 10’x10′ booth was packed with information about Resolution B121. Kim, Mike and Clint were present to explain the benefits of ATV/ORV tourism, Ambulance Paramedics Of BC mascot “Bearamedic” came by to lend support.

ATVBC attended the UBCM tradeshow in support of the local governments who sponsored resolution B121 which proposes to make it easier for local governments to issue Operation Permits to allow all-terrain vehicles incidental road access to communities for tourism purposes.

The slogan “Yes to B121 – Say Yes to ORV Tourism” was extremely well received with delegates from across the province coming to the booth after having seen so many people wearing the buttons and stickers.

Materials created for the UBCM tradeshow include: tri-fold brochure, pins, stickers, rack cards, business cards, ATVBC information, videos, phone charging station and a contest to win an ATV Tour gift certificate.
Some of the materials developed by ATVBC in support of UBCM Resolution B121.

ATVBC received suggestions and feedback from local communities then developed marketing materials to raise awareness of the resolution and answer questions from local government delegates. Materials developed included pins, stickers, business cards, tri-fold brochures, rack cards, stand up banners and a B121 information website.

One of the key points ATVBC learned leading up to the UBCM is for the resolution to pass it needed the support of the large communities in the Lower Mainland. The challenge is these communities typically don’t see ATV/ORV use because of their urban nature, so being able to attract their attention and quickly communicate the benefits of ATV/ORV tourism was critical.

To achieve this, Kim Smith – ATVBC Land and Environment / General Manager reconvened the UBCM ORV Working Group with 21 local government groups on the call. The next step was taking information gathered during the call to develop the message and assemble a team to attend the UBCM Tradeshow in Vancouver.

Traffic at the ATVBC booth exceeded everyone’s expectations and the majority of delegates expressed their support for Resolution B121 after hearing the benefits. It was encouraging to have open conversations with communities who don’t have ATV/ORV tourism opportunities but understood the benefit other communities would receive by having the resolution passed.

After two busy days sharing information about Resolution B121 at the UBCM Tradeshow all that was left for voting on the resolution on the final day of UBCM. And the result was Resolution B121 passed by a clear majority of delegates present.

Delegates start to assemble for another day of discussion and voting on resolutions.

Now that B121 has been endorsed, what’s next?

  • Reconvene with the UBCM ORV Working Group (first meeting was in Aug with 21 local government groups on the call) an additional 10+ signed up during the conference so now 30-35 communities & Regional Districts participating on the working group
  • Discuss the outcome of B121
  • Discuss requests by communities for pilot project for ATVs similar to the golf cart program in Chase
  • Discuss letters or other communications to Ministry(s) in support of resolution

The provincial response to the UBCM resolutions comes out in Feb of the next year, so February 2020 we will see what the govt response is to B121 (see sample – responses from 2018 resolutions).

We would like to thank

  • The 4 official sponsors of the resolution: Salmo, Sayward, Tahsis & Tumbler Ridge.
  • The assistance and support from countless other communities and delegates at UBCM.
  • Mike Coulter for all his work establishing an ORV tourism gateway in the North Island.
  • Mayor Diana Lockwood from the District of Salmo for pinning “vote yes” pins on delegates and sharing our messaging everywhere at the show.
  • The 35+ communities and Regional Districts that signed up for the UBCM ORV Working Group.
  • The tradeshow booth team of Kim Smith, Mike Coulter and Clint Ingham.