Government Relations Update #350

HAVAN News

March 28, 2020

GRU #350

Government Relations Update #350

Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations &

Jay Chadha, Government Relations Research Associate

Twitter: @Mark_HAVAN

It seems amazing to me that it was only 2-1/2 weeks ago that we held the HAVAN Awards S'oiree. The world seems to have changed dramatically since then.

The latest reports from the Dynamic Duo of Dix/Henry are providing some cause for optimism, as BC's infection curve seems to be below that of many other jurisdictions, and there appears to be the first signs of 'flattening'. The efforts of all of us will determine whether or not we can really bend that curve. To that end, please consult HAVAN's COVID-19 Resource Page, and be sure to check out the HAVAN Member Contributions section, where you'll find out what your fellow builders, suppliers and trades are doing to minimize the risk to their staff and the public.

METRO WEST

For Your Information

A report on ‘Amendments to Building and Electrical By-laws to adopt revisions to the BC Building Code and Electrical Safety Regulations and miscellaneous changes’ is on the agenda for Vancouver’s Special Council meeting of 31 March. Also, there is a report on ‘Climate Emergency Requirements for New Housing 3-Storeys and Under’. The VBBL amendments recommended in this report would move the city closer to meeting “Big Move 4” of the Climate Emergency for zero emissions space and water heating. HAVAN will be submitting a letter to the City regarding this item, so if you have any thoughts, get them to me by noon on Monday.

NORTHEAST SECTOR

For Your Information

Here are two bulletins from Coquitlam regarding their services during City Hall closure. One from 23 March and the second from 26 March.
The following reports are on the agenda for Maple Ridge’s Council Workshop of 31 March: Housing Needs Assessment: Proposed Scope of Work (pg. 15); Town Centre Visioning Public Engagement Process (pg. 20); Integrated Stormwater Management Plan - South Alouette River and Kanaka Creek Watersheds (pg. 28); Maple Ridge Tree Permit Survey Update (pg. 88).
On the agenda for Maple Ridge’s Council meeting of 31 March is a progress report regarding the city’s 2019 – 2022 Strategic Plan (pg. 177).

SOUTH OF FRASER

For Your Information

A report with the ‘Results of Public Engagement on Use of Community Amenity Contribution Funds’ is on the agenda for White Rock’s Regular Council meeting of 30 March (pg. 40).

NORTH SHORE

For Your Information

On the agenda for West Vancouver’s Regular Council meeting of 30 March is their ‘Submission of Speculation and Vacancy Tax Resolution to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association’(pg. 6). This resolution aims to grant local governments the power to impose their own Speculation and Vacancy Tax.
From Urban YVR – How the proposed Wentworth Lands development in West Vancouver could lead to gondola service for the area in order to mitigate traffic concerns.
From the North Shore News: three municipalities, and three different approaches to handling council meetings in the age of COVID-19.

REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL

For Your Information

Here’s the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's news release from 25 March on the Provincial support available for landlords and renters.
The Provincial Government has currently deemed ‘construction work’ as an essential service. Scroll to the bottom of this news release from 26 March to see the full list of essential services.
If you’re a data geek (like me), you probably couldn’t wait to get your hands (eyes) on the powerpoint slide deck that Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix were using during their Friday presentation about modeling the trajectory of the COVID-19 virus in BC.
We’re going to have to wait a bit longer to find out who will be replacing Andrew Weaver as leader of the BC Greens, as the party has announced a postponement of the leadership campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keith Baldrey, in this op-ed, notes that BC’s political parties have put aside their differences to act in a united manner as we combat this pandemic.
In another interest rate cut, the Bank of Canada has lowered their overnight rate target by 50 basis points to 0.25%.
Here’s a piece from Business in Vancouver on ‘What you need to know about deferring mortgage payments due to COVID-19’. This article has the answers to some key FAQ on this topic.
The temporary wage subsidy of 10% for SMEs put forward by the Federal Government has now been drastically increased to 75%. The subsidy will be in effect retroactively from March 15.
In the latest of crazy comments from the Oval Office, apparently the U.S. government wants to station troops along the Canadian border.
Canada’s big banks have already received more than 213,000 requests to defer or skip payments as of 26 March.
Real estate boards throughout the country are urging Realtor's to refrain from hosting open houses. Many, including REBGV have already issued notices to cancel upcoming open houses.

RENOVATIONS

For Your Information

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

For Your Information

EVERYTHING ELSE

For Your Information

The homeless modular housing project near Trout Lake which was approved at the end of October 2019 has already reached completion with residents moving in starting 23 March.
Density is not to blame for the COVID-19 pandemic (sorry NIMBYs).
From Planetizen, here’s a good compilation of recent articles on the potential impact of this pandemic on urban planning.
From CityLab: how COVID-19 plays right into the hands of NIMBYism.
As industrial vacancy rates in Metro Vancouver remain the lowest in Canada, Richmond is getting its first ever multi-story industrial project.
A "bit" of a mic fail for Texas’ mayor while he takes a bathroom break.
Remind you of The Brady Bunch? Or Hollywood Squares? Either way, here’s the daily HAVAN staff videoconference meeting.

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.