Submitted by Diana Dilworth, Director of Government Relations
December 4, 2023
It was a few long days spent in Victoria last week as HAVAN participated in CHBA-BC’s Day at the Legislature, an annual event that had been cancelled the last 3 years due to pandemic. Days that involved training for delegates, advocating at meetings with the Premier, Ministers and Members of the Legislature Assembly (MLAs), a meeting with the Official Opposition, attending a reception for those elected officials, and topped off with a meeting of the CHBA BC Board of Directors, under the leadership of new President, HAVAN’s very own Randy Chin.
Randy was joined in Victoria by HAVAN Board Members Henri Belisle and Dave Deamer, supported by myself, in addition to CHBA BC Directors and staff from across the province, all attending with the focus on advocating to the Provincial Government on the association’s priorities that are pivotal to the future of home construction in British Columbia.
Twenty CHBA BC delegates stormed the legislature, starting with the Executive Committee meeting with the New Democrat Party (NDP) Premier Eby and Minister Kahlon on Monday morning. It was such a nice day, that when asked for a photo, the Premier insisted on going outside for picture taking. In all, nine meetings were held with approximately twelve Ministers and 25 MLAs. Additionally, a panel discussion was held with members of the Official Opposition, the BC United Party, where they chatted about everything they did right when they were in power and everything the NDP is doing wrong in their tenure. Yes, that’s their role as official opposition.
So what was discussed in all those meetings? CHBA BC, led by Carmina Tupe and David Bieber of Counsel Public Affairs, identified the “asks” around three key theme areas and created strong written communications, with facts and statistics to support our advocacy approach. All in attendance agreed that the meetings were productive and strengthened the bond between homebuilders and decision-makers and may lead to further action by this government to support the advancement of housing supply in an efficient, effective and affordable manner.
It is worth noting that CHBA BC has very good relationships with the current government, including Cabinet Ministers, who have enacted many new programs, initiatives, and legislation requested by the organization during previous meetings.
During the Legislature Day meetings with elected officials, delegates focused firstly on the Development Approval Process Review (DAPR) Report, supporting a number of recommendations to streamline the approvals roadmap, including the reduction of regulatory hurdles, mitigation of new policy on in-stream applications and increased reliance on qualified, registered professionals.
Secondly, a priority was put on addressing measures to reducing the costs to build homes, including a more consistent, prescribed approach to Development Cost Charges (DCCs), a fair minimum assist factor for infrastructure and amenity charges, and an increased provincial rebate for first-time home buyers.
Thirdly, low-carbon solutions for new homes were prioritized with an ask to re-open the CleanBC Better Homes New Construction program focusing on small-scale, multi-unit housing. Additionally, an expansion to CleanBC investments was requested to support market transformation to zero-carbon new construction by 2030. Lastly, but certainly not least, the government was asked to support BC Hydro and local governments in addressing distribution capacity timelines and permit process delays.
CHBA BC and HAVAN delegates listen to our members and ensure that your concerns, suggestions and questions are being raised with provincial decision-makers, as evidenced by the agenda for last week’s meetings. Read CHBA BC’s thoughts here.
It was long days for MLAs as well, who had to reschedule meetings of the legislature to go until 9pm each evening, to accommodate passing of the NDP’s aggressive approach to facilitate more homes, more quickly and more affordably, through approval of Bill 44, Bill 46 and Bill 47 before the fall session ended on Thursday evening.
Bill 44 Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act requires municipalities to amend their Zoning Bylaw to allow for small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on every lot zoned single-family or duplex use, and to accommodate the housing needs for the next 20 years as identified in their Housing Needs Assessment Report and consistent with their Official Community Plan (OCP)
This bill has been opposed by a few local governments who believe their local autonomy is being removed. Cue the Township of Langley and a request for an exemption from the provincial legislation.
Bill 46 Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act proposed changes to Development Cost Charges (DCCs) to update the scope of infrastructure eligible to be funded through DCCs to include fire halls, police and solid waste facilities.
A New Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) will be created to collect funds for community centres, recreation centres, daycares, and libraries from new development. The act contains mechanisms that ensure transparency and cost certainty for developers, local governments and the public, with charges to be collected at the Building Permit or Subdivision stage.
Bill 47 Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act requires local governments to ensure that minimum levels of density, size and dimension established by the Provincial regulations are allowed in TOD areas, to be designated by the end of June 2024. Also provides for the removal of parking minimums and allows parking volumes to be determined by need and demand on a project-by-project basis.
Many of our delegates attended the daily Question Period, the time of day that our elected officials are allowed to go off on rants, try to “gotcha” each other and generally behave like children. On the day I attended, the focus was on Minister of Energy, Josie Osborne, who inadvertently dropped a written “note to self” in the hallowed halls, which was subsequently picked up by a member of the Official Opposition, who then went on to make it their daily attack. The memo indicated that the NDP is “looking for a big and shiny affordability measure for the next budget,” with the Premier mocking BC United for trying to spin the memo into a scandal. Just another day in Parliamentary Chambers as things heat up to the next provincial election, scheduled for October 19, 2024.
The last highlight of our time in Victoria was an amazing reception planned by CHBA BC, and hosted in the (previously shut-down) Bengal Lounge at the Fairmont Empress. The delegates, joined by CHBA BC members from throughout the Vancouver Island region, enjoyed an evening of networking with government leaders. While Minister Kahlon was vigorously defending the proposed bills late into the night, Minister Selina Robinson stepped into to speak at the reception. And in a show of support, the political parties gave leave to up to four members at a time so that they could be represented at the event, with even the Conservative Party of BC, and its two members, knowing that it was the place to be on a Tuesday night in Victoria.
HAVAN continues to work with CHBA BC and CHBA to advocate for all levels of government to work together to address the challenges of the housing industry including zoning restrictions, density limits, and NIMBYism.
Looking to stay up-to-date on Metro Vancouver’s residential housing industry? Sign up for Ron’s weekly Monday Morning Briefing and other HAVAN emails here.
Quick Bites…
- CIBC Economist says that while Canada is essentially in recession and, combined with several other factors that will defeat inflation, and the Bank of Canada (BoC) to begin cutting interest rates next summer.
- An Economist with Desjardin agrees that BoC is likely done hiking rates for this cycle, and the housing market is expected to remain soft through the spring.
- Guest author at the Daily Hive suggests it’s time for BC cities to unleash a flood of new housing supply.
- We’re number 1! Nope we aren’t, but the cost of cars, booze and food put Singapore ahead of New York in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living 2023 Report.
- And in the BC Government’s first use of their so-called wealth orders legislation, they demand house owners to explain where they got the money to buy it.
