The Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake (VBL) was recognized for outstanding civic leadership at this year's Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference, held Sept. 26 to 30 in Vancouver.

The UBCM conference brings together municipal representatives from throughout British Columbia to meet with provincial Ministers, share best practices and engage in a variety of educational sessions.

The VBL was recognized as a B.C. energy leader, receiving an honourable mention from the

Community Energy Association in the category of corporate operations. The newly installed biomass system at the Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena was selected as an outstanding project amongst submissions from many other municipalities, in a year where a record number of applications were received.

The recognition received by the VBL demonstrates that energy leadership is possible in B.C. communities of all sizes

The VBL was selected to make two presentations to UBCM delegates on municipal success stories and presented in the 'Building Communities, Building the Futures' session about First Nations and local government partnerships, highlighting the full service agreements held between the VBL and the 亚洲天堂 Lake Band and Lake Babine Nation.

The VBL was also selected to speak at the Small Talk Forum featuring 'project local government', an innovative two day program that introduces high school students to the inner workings of local government.

Councilors met with provincial Ministers to bring local issues to their attention. Council met with the Minister of Environment to discuss the impacts of local brownfield sites and re mediation prospects. The importance of modifying the Environmental Operator Certificate Program requirements for small municipalities was explained to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and council highlighted the importance of Visitor Information Centre funding to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

Council also met with the B.C. Ambulance Service to emphasize the importance of recruitment and retention of paramedics and expressed the need for a local public forum to Enbridge representatives. "This year's UBCM conference was a success on many levels for the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake. Not only were we able to advocate for our constituents, but we were recognized for our leadership and accomplishments," said mayor Bernice Magee.