Next week in Vancouver the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be hosting its annual convention, a gathering of over 2,000 local government elected officials, influencers and provincial government representatives. For over 100 years, the UBCM has been the representative voice for local governments in advocating to the BC Provincial Government as its governing body.
The annual Convention continues to be the main forum for UBCM advocacy and policy-making. It provides an opportunity for the 189 local governments and 12 First Nations from all areas of the province to come together, debate policy and legislative change and meet with and lobby provincial Ministers and MLAs. Given a provincial election is less than six weeks away, there will be political tension in the air as all party leaders and their candidates will be attending given the opportunity to liaise with Mayors, Councillors, Regional Directors and First Nation Chiefs from across BC. The Premier, Provincial Ministers and MLAs will all be in attendance to participate in events and in one-on-meetings with their constituency governments.
Throughout the year, local governments prepare and submit resolutions that are within the decision-making scope of the provincial authority. This year there is a record-breaking 267 resolutions to be considered by UBCM members, a 25% increase over 2023, an indication that local government and First Nation leadership is possibly not happy with current policy and legislation and is wanting accountability, transparency and change and is pushing back as evidenced by the asks being put forward.
Why is this important to HAVAN members? Because decision making at City Halls and at the Legislature impact the way we do our business on a daily basis…everything from land use planning, transportation planning, environmental protection, assessment, taxation and financing tools, and the development application and permitting process.
Reading through those 267 resolutions, there about thirty that would have a definitive impact on the way our sector conducts the important, and much-needed work that we do.
The enactment of Bills 44, 46 and 47 have had a significant effect on local governments with resolutions citing inadequate consultation:
EB87 Enhanced Provincial Government Engagement Practices (Coquitlam)
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government commit to review its consultation processes with/involving local governments, especially as they relate to legislative or regulatory changes that impact local governments, in order to facilitate better engagement practices, increase transparency amongst all interest holders, and, as a result, enable the richer, more timely exchange of information in order to benefit all parties involved in such processes.
Implementing the new housing legislation has also created staffing shortages and financial challenges that could likely be downloaded to developers and homebuilders, and we are pleased to see UBCM members asking for additional financial supports:
NR21. Bill 44, 46 and 47 – Financial Assistance for Local Governments (Langley City)
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM demand the provincial government expand the scope and provide local governments additional financial support for the hiring of additional staff and or consultants to complete the required updates to Official Community Plans, Environmental Servicing Plans as well as to review the impacts on all community infrastructure, including but not limited to public amenities, recreation centres, hospitals, schools, first responders and aging infrastructure in order to comply with provincial mandates as stipulated in the legislation.
Local governments have identified that the Provincially-mandated housing growth will mean a significant demand for new community infrastructure and the resulting financial burden, and asking for funding to cover those costs. This is a positive approach to ensuring that developers and homebuilders won’t have all additional costs downloaded on them:
SR2 Infrastructure Funding to Support Provincially-Mandated Housing Growth
(UBCM Executive)
Therefore be it resolved that the Province invest in a long-term, predictable allocation-based funding program to support expansion and operation of local government infrastructure services to support provincially-mandated housing growth including, but not limited to, water and sewer, transit, police and fire, and recreation;
Closing the discussion on the new housing legislation, the Province is being asked to implement a formal review and additional controls related to Bills 44, 46 and 47:
NR20. Consultation and Review of Recent BC 2023 Fall Housing Legislation (Maple Ridge)
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate the Province review the new housing legislation after 2 years from introduction; immediately allow exemption zones for single detached greenfield areas within the containment boundary that are more isolated; and increase the Official Community Plan review requirement to every 7 years.
There are a number of resolutions asking for additional supports for non-market housing, housing in rural communities and expanding the Rental Protection Fund.
Environmental-related resolutions include those related to septic services, incorporating tree canopy and climate goals into Housing Action Plans, soil fill location sourcing, enhanced stormwater management requirements and additional supports to support energy efficient and zero emissions equipment for new and existing housing supply. If implemented, some of these resolutions could create additional barriers to our sector being able to deliver new housing supply in an efficient and affordable manner.
On the concerning side, both local and regional governments are asking for additional taxation capacity:
EB28. BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax (North Coast RD)
Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM advocate to the provincial government that all BC communities, including electoral areas, be given the option to opt-in to the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax program.
NR63. Municipal and Regional District Tax Fund Overhaul to Enable Investment in Infrastructure
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Province for a comprehensive overhaul of the Municipal and Regional District Tax funding framework to expand the allowable usage of funds, including directing a portion towards essential infrastructure projects;
NR61. Allow Regional Districts to Become Taxing Authorities (Okanagan-Similkameen RD)
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Ministry to allow regional districts, at their discretion, to become a taxing authority.
To no one’s surprise, the most pressing issues for local governments as evidenced by the concerns and resolutions being brought forward are on the housing and homelessness crisis, the ever-increasing issue of mental health and addictions, public safety and street crime and a healthcare system that seems to be collapsing with long waitlists, and regular hospital emergency room closures.
Background and further details on all 267 resolutions can be found here in the UBCM Resolutions Book. Once submitted to the Province, resolutions are considered, monitored and reported back on.
HAVAN staff and government relations committee members regularly liaise with, provide feedback to and advocate on behalf of our members with both the Provincial and Local Governments. We can’t understate the importance of the relationships that we have with elected officials and the direct influence that our industry feedback has on the decisions being made at gatherings such as next week’s Convention. Your continued participation in government engagement processes and provision of feedback is greatly appreciated.
Our government relations staff will be in attendance at the Convention, connecting with delegates and monitoring resolutions. If you would like further details on these, or other resolutions being debated please feel free to contact diana@havan.ca or donovan@havan.ca.
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 Wendy’s weekly Monday Morning Briefing and other HAVAN emails here.
QUICK BITES …
- A Celebration of Life for Ron Rapp is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10th from 3pm to 6pm at the Vancouver Rowing Club. The program is scheduled to commence at 3:45pm, and will include an open mic for those who wish to share a memory . Canapes will be served. Cash bar. Ample parking is available in the parking lot located within Stanley Park, (directly across from the venue). Please share this notice with those who knew Ron, as we look to gather together to toast a great leader, and friend.
- Last week, the Bank of Canada lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 per cent – the third consecutive cut since June. Governor Tiff Macklem says if the economy continues to improve, Canadians can expect more rate cuts later this year. The Financial Post interviewing industry experts suggests it will take more than a string of rate cuts to resuscitate the housing market.
- CHBA reports second quarter GDP performance was particularly poor for residential construction. New construction fell 6.3% quarter over quarter annualized and renovation services dropped 10.1% q/q annualized. The downtrend in renovation output now places it around the level of production last seen in 2014. While rates above 4% can still be considered “restrictive”, the expectation of further rate cuts from the Bank of Canada could set in motion more activity from home buyers and homeowners. However, it is unlikely that we will see a rapid release of pent-up demand. CHBA continues to have dialogue with Bank of Canada officials over new home sales conditions and the effects it will have on the rate of housing supply further into this decade.
- A cautionary tale on e-transferring large amounts of funds. The Vancouver Sun reports on scammers using fake emails to steal $526K from Shaughnessy mansion renovation.
- The provincial government announced last week that starting October 1, 2024, it will be mandatory for employers at construction sites with 25 workers or more to provide flush toilets, hand-washing facilities, and clean washrooms.
