City of Maple Ridge Advocates for Public Safety and Infrastructure at UBCM Convention

Maple Ridge, B.C., September 23, 2025 – City Council is in Victoria this week at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention to represent Maple Ridge and advocate for the critical supports needed to keep pace with rapid population growth.

The City has taken bold steps to deliver housing, strengthen services, and invest in infrastructure. Maple Ridge exceeded its 2025 provincial housing target by 23 per cent, with 751 net new homes built in the past year. More than 150 rezoning applications and 450 building permit applications are underway, supported by a streamlined permit portal and $1.2 million in business process and technology improvements.

"Maple Ridge is experiencing population growth at twice the national average, which significantly strains our infrastructure, roads, schools, fire, policing, and other essential services," added Mayor Ruimy. "We’ve stepped up to meet provincial housing mandates and invest in our community, but we can’t sustain this growth alone. Now we need the Province to match our efforts with predictable, long-term funding and the social supports our residents need.”

Maple Ridge has also invested heavily in public safety. In the past two years, the City has added 22 firefighter positions (the first increase since 2012) and funded 12 new RCMP officers in a single year, compared to only one between 2018 and 2021. Despite these actions, unprecedented population growth and gaps in provincial mental-health and addictions services continue to put pressure on policing and emergency response.

“Our first responders are working tirelessly, but they can’t do it alone. We need the Province to expand mental-health and addictions services, address prolific offenders, and provide long-term investments that match the growth we are experiencing.”

Council is calling on the Province to:

• Secure long-term, predictable infrastructure funding for roads, utilities, and community facilities.
• Expand mental-health and addictions services to reduce strain on policing and emergency response.
• Partner on bail reform and prolific offender solutions to strengthen community safety.
• Support economic growth by advancing the North 256 Street Industrial Lands, one of Metro Vancouver’s largest new blocks of employment lands.
• Fund key projects such as Golden Ears Way and 240 Street Bridge to improve access to Golden Ears Park and Silver Valley.

Council emphasized that Maple Ridge is committed to demonstrating how municipal leadership and provincial partnership can align housing, climate, and social goals to build stronger communities.

“This week at the UBCM convention, we’re telling the Province that Maple Ridge is a willing partner for innovation and collaboration on housing, transportation, community safety, economic development and climate adaption. The livability of our community depends on our governments working together,” added Mayor Ruimy.

Council has also advanced investments in core infrastructure, including the expansion of Abernethy Way and planning for Bus Rapid Transit through the Maple Ridge Moves plan, alongside the historic increases in firefighters and RCMP officers.

Visit MapleRidge.ca/UBCM2025 to read the City’s full UBCM messaging. For more information about the UBCM Convention, visit 2025 Convention | Union of BC Municipalities

For additional information, contact Anna Lilly, Director of External Affairs, ALilly@MapleRidge.ca or at 672 275 1241 (local: 1241).