BC Budget Recommendations Align with CHBA BC Priorities
Premier Announces Cabinet Changes
BC Budget Recommendations Align with CHBA BC Priorities
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, which includes three NDP and two BC Conservative members, has released its pre-budget consultation report, and its recommendations align with key policy recommendations from CHBA BC.
Key recommendations from the report include:
Freezing the BC Energy Step Code at Level 3: Members explicitly acknowledged that pausing further mandatory step code increases and maintaining Level 3 province-wide brings much-needed consistency, predictability, and affordability for builders and homebuyers across BC.
Scrapping the PST Expansion: The Committee’s findings reflect growing concerns around the tax burdens on construction materials and services, recognizing that rolling back scheduled PST expansions will help protect project viability and lower housing delivery costs.
Streamlining Development Approvals & Infrastructure Support: The Committee reinforced the need to reduce regulatory red tape and accelerate municipal development approval timelines while expanding provincial funding for core infrastructure.
While the report shows that this legislative committee is hearing the concerns of the industry, CHBA BC will continue to advocate for these crucial recommendations to be included in the 2027 BC Budget. You can read more about CHBA BC’s policy priorities here.
Premier Announces Cabinet Changes
Premier David Eby has announced three changes to cabinet following Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey’s decision to take a leave for treatment and recovery from cancer. She expects to return to work in early October 2026. In the interim, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix will cover Minister Bailey’s portfolio. The following appointments took effect on Friday, August 14, 2026:
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
C.D. Howe Institute report says development charges should be gradually reduced over time, with the long-term goal of eliminating them.
Housing starts in Vancouver are down 42 per cent compared with last July.
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.
