About ARC

About the Alliance of Resource Communities (ARC)

The Alliance of Resource Communities (ARC) is a network of BC mayors and local leaders advancing responsible natural resource development as the foundation of jobs, municipal revenues, and public services across the province.

ARC represents communities connected to forestry, mining, energy, agriculture, and seafood — from coastal ports and northern resource towns to urban centres that depend on these industries for jobs and business opportunities.

ARC launched in September 2025, founded on a shared concern: the communities powering BC’s economy face growing uncertainty, even as global demand for B.C.’s resources rises and project approvals continue to lag.

Why ARC Exists

Resource-dependent communities across BC are under pressure – slower growth, shrinking revenues, and mounting fiscal strain. Global competition and regulatory delays are putting local jobs and municipal budgets at risk.

BC cannot afford to have self-imposed regulatory barriers that block resource development – industries that underpin health care, education, and infrastructure, all the while global demand for what we have in abundance continues to grow.

What ARC stands for

ARC’s work is guided by five shared calls to action endorsed by its founding mayors:

Effective, coordinated government action in support of resource industries facing external economic threats.
Faster approvals for responsible natural resource projects.
Greater First Nations economic participation in resource development.
Stronger, consistent “can-do” advocacy from all levels of government.
Early and meaningful involvement of local governments and First Nations in major projects—from the start, not as an afterthought.

How ARC works

ARC is designed as a practical shared service for municipalities, adding capacity that many local governments do not have in-house. Its focus includes:

Coordinated advocacy to provincial and federal decision-makers
Policy and communications tools for local leaders
Public information and civic education on the economic role of resource projects
Constructive community and Indigenous engagement
Professional development and issue briefings for elected officials

ARC also works to bridge the urban–rural divide by clearly articulating how resource development benefits communities across the province.

Benefits for member communities

Participation in ARC provides municipalities with:

A stronger collective voice on permitting, infrastructure, and sector priorities
Turnkey policy, media, and communications support
Co-branded public information materials explaining the local economic impacts of resource projects
Tools for town halls and community dialogue
Access to briefings, summits, and site visits to stay current on resource and infrastructure issues

Working with partners

ARC offers industry and partner organizations a way to support credible, community-based leadership rather than traditional lobbying. Partnerships focus on tangible public-facing deliverables, such as local economic impact snapshots, public information campaigns, and educational content that municipalities can share with residents.This model supports responsible development, economic reconciliation with First Nations, and long-term social licence by aligning sponsors with local leaders and their communities.

ARC’s objective

ARC exists to ensure resource communities have a seat at the table in provincial and federal economic planning, to strengthen collaboration between urban and rural B.C., and to clearly communicate the contribution resource communities make to the province’s shared prosperity.

Learn moreTo learn more or receive updates, contact info@allianceofresourcecommunities.ca.