B.C. premier defends housing policies at town hall
Premier David Eby took part in a town hall Thursday, fielding questions about everything from crime, to disability rates and childcare. But the crowd also wanted answers on housing.
At Camosun College's Interurban campus, Eby faced an NDP-friendly crowd who had questions about a yet-to-be-detailed program that would allow each single family home in the province to be replaced by four units.
Wei Tu who said she'd lived in Victoria and Saanich for more than 30 years thanked the premier for his work in light of the 'hand grenades' he was handling – housing among them.
Tu wanted details about the four-unit plan, saying it lacked some specifics.
"The lot size could be 10,000 square feet, it could be 100,000 square feet. When you say four units per lot, it doesn't really address the issue," Tu said to the premier.
Her suggestion was that instead four units be allowed for every 10,000 square foot of space as a way of more effectively increasing supply.
Eby explained that the Housing Ministry was working with the Union of BC Municipalities to figure out how a plan to increase density can be executed.
"The detailed work is happening with the cities right now, to make sure we're addressing key questions, like infrastructure, and sewage and water that we need to deal with," Eby replied.
For some mayors the idea may be a tough sell. At a recent housing summit hosted by the UBCM there was a lot of heated debate.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie asked what would happen to services already understaffed like police, schools, and hospitals.
Any big change is likely also being looked at carefully by concerned citizens like Tu.
Tsur Somerville, a professor of real estate science at the University of British Columbia, pointed out that changing people's minds may take years. Part of the reason why, he explained, is because for many homeowners, the bulk of their wealth is tied up in their property.
"Part of it, particularly for owners, is 'I've got so much invested in this, and if this goes wrong, it's really going to hurt me'" he said.
While the speculation and foreign buyers' taxes deal with demand -- Somerville beleives supply and speed are crucial.
"If you think affordability is the problem, the main solution is more housing – more housing, more quickly delivered," added Somerville.
And alack of supply will only become a more pressing concern, with Eby noting that more people have moved to B.C. so far in 2023 than did in all of 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.