Advocacy Update #40 - June 30, 2026

In this issue:

• CHBA BC Welcomes New CEO to Advance Homebuilding Advocacy
• CHBA BC Submission on Budget 2027 Consultation
• Federal-BC Partnership to Accelerate Homebuilding

CHBA BC Welcomes New CEO to Advance Homebuilding Advocacy

CHBA BC is pleased to welcome George Greenwood as its new Chief Executive Officer. George joins the association after serving as CEO of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, where he built a strong track record of working with municipal, provincial, and federal governments to advance policy solutions that support economic growth and housing.

Over the coming months, George will be meeting with elected officials, senior government staff, and industry partners across British Columbia to introduce himself and reinforce CHBA BC's priorities. These conversations will build on the association's ongoing advocacy efforts to advance practical policy solutions that improve housing affordability, reduce barriers to construction, and create the conditions needed to deliver more homes for British Columbians.

With more than 20 years of experience leading member-based organizations through strategic and financial transformation, George brings extensive advocacy and government relations expertise to CHBA BC at a critical time for the residential construction industry.

Read our full news release for more information.

CHBA BC Submission on Budget 2027 Consultation

As in previous years CHBA BC has participated in consultation for next year’s BC Budget by submitting a letter outlining three key recommendations to help improve housing affordability and increase the supply of new homes across British Columbia.

The recommendations urge the BC Government to:

• Negotiate and implement a federal-provincial agreement to deliver a GST rebate or equivalent in BC for all buyers of new homes,
• Reverse the expansion of PST on professional services related to housing development, and
• Prioritize investment in new market-rate housing by expanding incentives and financing programs and bring about building code reforms to enable more attainable housing supply.

The full letter can be found here.

Please direct any questions or comments regarding the submission on Budget 2027 Consultation to jenny@chbabc.org.

Federal-BC Partnership to Accelerate Homebuilding

While the recent federal-provincial housing announcement marks an important step toward addressing barriers to home construction, many details have yet to be confirmed. CHBA BC will continue to work with government partners to ensure this new funding is implemented effectively and supports the broader goal of increasing housing supply across the province. 

The announcement notes the following financial commitments:

• Nearly $1.6 billion over ten years (matched by BC for a total of up to $3.2 billion) to lower development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50 per cent in priority communities and expand housing-enabling infrastructure,
• $2.5 billion over ten years through the Canada Public Transit Fund for investment in new transit projects and increasing service access and frequency in high-traffic areas,
• More than $600 million over three years (matched by BC for a total of up to $1.2 billion) to modernize and expand health infrastructure and other critical facilities,
• A one-time transfer of $284 million from the Government of Canada to further accelerate homebuilding in BC.

Read the federal government’s full statement on the partnership here. 

While this announcement acknowledges, among others, the challenges that DCCs create for housing supply, additional action will be needed to meaningfully address the challenges faced by B.C.’s homebuilders. 

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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.