B.C. housing minister singles out 2 municipalities for lack of new home construction

In September 2023, the province gave 10 municipalities new home construction targets to meet in the first year under B.C.'s Housing Supply Act.

The housing minster says two – West Vancouver and Oak Bay – didn’t come close.

West Vancouver’s target was 220 new homes. Ravi Kahlon says only 58 were completed.

“West Vancouver council has had a historic record of not really approving much housing, and I don't know quite the reason why. But I will say that it's imperative that West Vancouver, and all communities, do their part,” said Kahlon.

Oak Bay is the other municipality that fell well short of its target of 56 new homes completed in year one.

“Having the community come back and say we're at 16 is a little disappointing, especially when you see right next door the city of Victoria has over 1,400 units, and Saanich is over 400 units,” said Kahlon.

But mayors of both communities insist housing is being built, it just takes time. And delays are often exacerbated by the province.

“If you actually include the housing applications approved and under way, we exceeded the 56 number that was in the first year. So, I think we're doing great,” said Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.

“At this point in time, we have 766 units with issued building and or development permits,” said West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager, who bristles at the suggestion his city has a record of not approving housing.

“Perhaps the minister is unaware that we just passed the Cypress Village plan, which is a comprehensive long-term plan for 3,700 units. The biggest delay in getting that approved was actually the ministry,” Sager added.

Unconvinced, the minister says staff will engage with local governments in West Vancouver and Oak Bay in the next 30 days.

“At that point, I'll have to make a decision,” said Kahlon.

“I have two options. I have the decision to go ahead and bring in a special advisor to go in and review decisions and see what the issues might be in the process of approving housing, or I can step in and make decisions to change bylaws to have more housing be built.”

Murdoch says that’s completely unnecessary.

“I understand from a political standpoint why that's advantageous, it gives you the opportunity to assign blame and take credit. But I don't think it actually moves our housing forward,” he said.

The mayors believe they are being unfairly singled out so the province can appear tough on housing.

“I don't really feel like this is a legitimate complaint on the part of the province. I feel like it's performative,” said Murdoch.

“I concur with those comments,” said Sager. “This is just theatre.”

They’re confident once the minister sees what’s in the housing pipeline in their communities, he will back off.