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Advocacy Update #20 - August 26, 2025 |
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In this issue:
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CHBA BC Meets with New Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs |
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Last week, CHBA BC met with the new Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to discuss current housing market conditions and the cost-of-delivery challenges constraining supply.
CHBA BC reinforced the need for both market and non-market solutions, while the Minister emphasized her commitment to advancing housing supply while remaining open and accessible to industry to ensure policies are balanced and informed by the experience of builders and developers on the ground.
CHBA BC looks forward to working closely with the Minister and her staff to ensure the voice of builders is strongly represented at the table as we advance solutions that will get more homes built across the province. |
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Housing Targets Announced for Fourth Group of Municipalities |
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On August 21, the Province announced new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities which includes Burnaby, Coquitlam, Courtney, Township of Langley, Langford, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Squamish, and Vernon.
The five-year targets are set upon consultation with municipalities and represent 75% of the estimated housing need. The following targets will be effective September 1, 2025:
This fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities. |
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CHBA BC Engages in Heritage Conservation Act Consultations |
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On August 20, CHBA BC participated in the third phase of consultations regarding the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project. Stakeholders were given the opportunity to learn more about and provide feedback on proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act intended to streamline permitting, support faster disaster recovery, enhance heritage protection, and strengthen First Nations’ decision-making over their cultural heritage.
CHBA BC will be sending a written submission outlining our feedback and recommendations in October. The draft legislation is expected to be submitted to the Province during late fall. |
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Help Streamline Building Permit Review Processes |
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The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs invites you to complete this short survey to help them understand how BC Building Code (BCBC) compliance checking tools are currently used and where they can add value in the design and building permit review processes.
This survey is part of a broader effort to better understand how more digital compliance checks can be developed and made available through the Ministry’s Building Permit Hub (Hub). Enabling digital tools to pre-check compliance with the BCBC provides applicants and design teams with instant feedback and allows them to proactively address any design issues early in the permitting process. The Ministry’s goal is to support compliance and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth between applicants and AHJs and improve the likelihood of compliance when a permit application is first submitted.
Specifically, this survey aims to:
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE SURVEY – It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. |
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Your Input Needed: Updating the BC Energy Step Code Builder Guide |
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The BC Energy Step Code Builder Guide is being updated, and your perspective, whether you’re an experienced user or first-time reader, will help shape a version that better reflects the needs of builders across the province.
This survey is part of a broader effort to connect with a more diverse range of builders and designers, especially those BC Hydro may not have heard from before. Your responses will help identify opportunities for improvement and may lead to further collaboration in shaping the updated guide, set for release next year.
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City of Surrey to charge DCCs on Small-Scale Multi Unit Housing
The Federal Government launches public engagement on Build Canada Homes.
Economists split on Bank of Canada’s next rate move after July inflation data.
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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. |
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