About ARC

About the Alliance of Resource Communities (ARC)

The Alliance of Resource Communities (ARC) is a network of British Columbia mayors and local leaders working together to advance responsible natural resource development as the foundation of jobs, municipal revenues, and essential public services across the province.ARC represents communities connected to forestry, mining, energy, agriculture, seafood, and value-added manufacturing—from coastal ports and northern resource towns to urban centres that host head offices, logistics hubs, and skilled workforces.ARC was launched in September 2025 at the Get It Done conference hosted by Resource Works, where mayors from across B.C. came together around a shared concern: communities that help power the provincial economy are facing growing economic uncertainty, while investment and approvals continue to lag at a time of rising global demand for B.C.’s resources.

Why ARC Exists

Many resource-dependent communities are experiencing falling living standards, slower growth, and increasing fiscal pressure. At the same time, global competition, foreign trade actions, and internal regulatory delays are putting local jobs and municipal revenues at risk.ARC’s members believe B.C. cannot afford internal barriers when its resource industries underpin health care, education, infrastructure, and core public services—and when the world needs the products B.C. produces.

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.