Government Relations Update #348
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Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations &
Jay Chadha, Government Relations Research Associate
Twitter: @Mark_HAVAN
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a major news topic where the status changes so dramatically, so quickly, and so often. From hour to hour, there are new updates, new closures, and ‘breaking news’. Here’s the link to the
BC Centre for Disease Control web page on the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing is a thing, so let’s stay safe, everyone.
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METRO WEST
For Your Information
- The City of Vancouver, as part of its Climate Emergency Response, is hosting a Public Dialogue: “How We Build and Renovate”, on Tuesday 24 March, 7 – 9pm at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive). Check out the website for full information. And based on the conversations I’ve had with city officials, new policies stemming from the Climate Emergency Response will definitely have an impact on the way you build and renovate in the City. I’m thinking that it will be well worth your time to attend this event.
- Vancouver is continuing to look for input for their regulation redesign. Michael Geller further discusses this in this article in the Vancouver Courier.
- Cllr. Hardwick’s motion on ‘Strengthening Representative Democratic Practices in the City of Vancouver’ was withdrawn at their Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities meeting of 11 March.
- On the agenda for Richmond’s Public Hearing on 16 March is a revised report on ‘Council Referral on Signage Improvements for Rezoning and Development Projects’ (pg. 24).
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NORTHEAST SECTOR
For Your Information
- On the agenda for Maple Ridge’s Advisory Design Panel meeting of 18 March is a report on the city’s ‘Review of Draft Ground-Oriented Infill Residential Housing Development Permit Guidelines’ (pg. 6).
- This piece in the Tri-City news looks at the potential future of mass timber construction in Port Moody.
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SOUTH OF FRASER
For Your Information
- Minister Fleming has announced provincial funding for a new secondary school and an elementary school expansion in South Surrey.
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NORTH SHORE
For Your Information
- Here’s a story from the North Shore News on West Vancouver’s decision on whether or not to save the West Coast Modern house designed by Ron Thom.
- In this North Shore News op-ed, Paul Sullivan is somewhat less optimistic about a future rapid transit crossing of Burrard Inlet than North Vancouver MLA Bowinn Ma.
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REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL
For Your Information
- Zoocasa’s Affordability Report looks at the down payment required to purchase a home across different municipalities in Metro Vancouver. It also shows differences in down payments between 2018 and 2020.
- So nice to see Joy McPhail, Chair of the Canada/BC Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability echo our message about concerns about the missing middle in our single-family dwelling zones.
- Here is BCREA’s February market update report. Notably, the province witnessed a 41.4% increase in total sales dollar volume compared to February 2019.
- Here’s Avison Young’s report on the impacts of COVID-19 on Real Estate. On that note, of all economic sectors, the housing market may be best able to deal with these concerns as per Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper.
- Here are two pieces from Business in Vancouver regarding the ongoing strata insurance issues in BC (One and Two).
- Sotheby’s Aging in Place report takes a look at generational living trends for 2020 with a focus on baby boomers and older adults.
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RENOVATIONS
For Your Information
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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
For Your Information
- Here’s another well-researched piece by Nathan Lauster and Jens von Bergmann on West Vancouver’s desire to levy their own version of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax.
- Here’s a Sightline Institute story about Washington State’s new legislation on ‘granny flats’, or as we call them here, Laneway Houses, Coach Houses, or Garden Suites.
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EVERYTHING ELSE
For Your Information
- ICYMI here’s the link to the podcast of the conversation I had with Gordon Price, on the subjects of family history, green building, and housing supply.
- Here’s a link to Frances Bula’s story on the heavy financial burdens being placed on commercial tenants in the City of Vancouver by the excessive delays in approving commercial renovation permits.
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HAVAN, through its Director of Government Relations, works with Metro Vancouver local governments on important public policy issues, including pending and existing regulations which impact the home building industry. Non-partisan policy analysis and strategic consultation is provided in a collaborative approach in order to efficiently deliver to market the required supply of homes to support Metro Vancouver's 21 municipalities. Working with HAVAN members and industry stakeholders, to build and maintain positive relations with municipal, regional and provincial governments, HAVAN is the respected voice of Metro Vancouver's residential construction industry.
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