Frustration dominates B.C. housing summit as mayors point finger at province
Many of British Columbia’s mayors and councillors are in Vancouver for a two-day summit to discuss housing in their communities, and several came out swinging against provincial policies in the opening session Tuesday.
In essence, municipalities have to execute the provincial government’s aggressive housing targets. Civic leaders are exasperated, saying not only were they not asked whether those targets are even possible, they haven’t been given enough resources to provide services for a flood of new residents.
The Union of BC Municipalities’ plenary panel was titled “Housing the next million British Columbians” and the six mayors on stage expressed various levels of frustration stemming from what they described as lack of financial support, unrealistic expectations and non-existent consultation on the BC NDP’s sweeping plans for dramatically expanded housing regulations.
The mayors point out that blanket approval for four- or six-plexes on single-family lots requires massive planning and investments in infrastructure – from transit to schools to the electrical grid to sewer capacity – many of which fall on their shoulders.
”We agree with the ultimate goals, the question is how to get there,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, who pointed out a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t acknowledge the different challenges communities have based on geography and demand.
Burnaby’s mayor told attendees his staff have crunched the numbers and for every 100 metres of single-family homes, it’ll cost a million dollars to upgrade services to four-plex or denser housing.
“It’s overwhelming when you get into the nuts and bolts of how this is going to work,” warned Mike Hurley, who also described he federal government as being “pretty absent” in the face of municipal challenges.
Both Alto and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie emphasized the few people involved in the province’s planning for multi-plexes had to sign tight non-disclosure agreements that kept them from discussing the details with anyone not officially involved.
Several mayors pointed out that until now, the emphasis of the BC NDP government’s housing plans has been on supply and expedited construction rather than affordability.
Brodie added that his community has been steadily increasing density along transit corridors for nearly two decades, but prices have soared anyhow.
“Straight supply is not the answer to the whole challenge of providing more housing and making it affordable. It simply does not follow,” he insisted.
Minister addresses delegates and reporters
It was a full house when the housing minister addressed delegates early in the afternoon, responding to questions they posed virtually and in person on a range of issues.
In a scrum with reporters afterwards, CTV News asked Ravi Kahlon whether he’d taken the mayors’ concerns about infrastructure funding to heart.
“We know there's infrastructure needs, that's why we had the billion dollars that was provided to local governments,” he said. “In fact, many local governments haven't yet even assigned where those dollars will go in their communities.”
Kahlon also cited other measures passed with fall legislation that now allow municipalities to charge more fees to capture costs from developers, while pointing to global issues around inflation and worker shortages for keeping prices high.
He defended the province pushing ahead with targets despite opposition and concerns, pointing out there’s been discussion and deliberation for years.
“People are struggling in our communities every single day for housing,” Kahlon said. “At some point we have to stop talking about it and start getting on with the work.”
Who's in the know?
By the end of the fall legislative session, the province estimated its planned reforms could create 293,000 housing units over the next decade, after years of under-construction and a focus on luxury condominiums.
Premier David Eby’s focus on blanket multi-plex zoning may be a new concept to British Columbians, but it’s already the norm in may parts of the world.
Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal revealed his community has been learning about provincial policies through official news releases, and that “the legislation is here, but now the provincial government actually has to play a little bit of catch-up” when it comes to implementation.
From schools to hospitals to the roads that booming populations will require, both panelists and attendees asking questions are looking to seniors levels of government to provide their share of services to citizens who need more than a roof over their heads.
“We can’t do this alone,” said Alto.
The mayor of Nanaimo was one of the few who believes more supply will bring down prices, but he was also adamant that municipalities don’t have the resources to carry out everything in the province’s plan.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions and I don’t think this is the road to hell, I think the province is responding to the most basic of human needs, which is shelter,” said Leonard Krog. “I think it’s going to take some time to work out the kinks.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.