Province Announces Delay of Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project
In Case You Missed It: CHBA BC Policy Guidance on Cowichan Case
What's the Data Telling Us? Insights on the Step Codes
Province Announces Delay of Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project
On January 19, the Province announced it will postpone proposed amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA), which had originally been anticipated for spring 2026. This decision is in direct response to industry feedback calling for further consultation and raising significant concerns with the proposed approach and potential unintended consequences.
CHBA BC formally raised member concerns with the Ministry of Forests, submitting 19 recommendations that emphasized the need for clearer policy direction and more robust consultation with industry stakeholders.
CHBA BC welcomes the Province’s decision to delay the amendments and will continue to engage on this issue through representation on the Ministry’s cross-sectoral workshop to inform their proposals to streamline the HCA permitting process.
In Case You Missed It: CHBA BC Policy Guidance on Cowichan Case
Earlier this month, CHBA BC released a new policy guidance document on the Cowichan Case to support members understand the potential implications of this landmark decision on the residential construction industry.
Relationship between Aboriginal Title, Crown Title, and Fee Simple
CHBA BC Advocacy and Engagement
CHBA BC and external resources
What's the Data Telling Us? Insights on the Step Codes
Decarb Lunch webinar: Tuesday, January 27 from 12 - 1 pm PST
The first ZEBx Decarb Lunch webinar of 2026 will be co-hosted with CHBA BC. In this one-hour webinar, speakers Pauline Rupp of CHBA BC, Mark Bernhardt of Bernhardt Contracting and Henri Belisle of TQ Construction will draw on the latest CHBA BC data of over 8,500 as-built Hot2000 energy models. This data examines real-world building industry results and practical approaches to reducing carbon emissions in Part 9 residential construction.
The discussion will focus on what Step Code data reveals about what is actually happening across the province—how far the industry has come, where meaningful progress is being made, and which approaches are delivering real results. Speakers will also explore opportunities to improve regional coordination and discuss what a reasonable, practical path forward looks like, balancing flexibility with consistency across jurisdictions.
Register here for the webinar taking place at noon today.
New BCREA Market Intelligence reports today’s housing market shows signs similar to the 2010s housing cycle, which ultimately led to severe undersupply and a dramatic deterioration in affordability.
Bank of Canada expected to keep rate steady this week - and maybe all year long.
Housing starts rose in 2025 but CMHC warns construction momentum has faded.
This newsletter is exclusive for Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC (CHBA BC) members. If a colleague would like to subscribe, please have them update their contact information with their local association. For questions, feel free to contact Jenny Scott, Director of Policy and Government Relations, or Pauline Rupp, Director of Technical and Building Innovation.
