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21 B.C. municipalities granted housing legislation extensions after all
Posted September 16, 2024 4:06 pm. Last Updated September 16, 2024 4:07 pm. The provincial government announced Monday it’s granted extensions to 21 municipalities that were having trouble meeting the deadline for adopting multi-unit housing legislation. The deadline was designed to force local governments to comply with the new provincial small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) legislation. In a release Monday, the province says it is now giving 21 communities more time. Where the SSMUH requirements apply, the following governments have been granted an extension for all zones: Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has been given until Dec. 31, 2024. Wells has been given until Dec. 31, 2024. City of North Vancouver has been given until June 1, 2025. Coquitlam has been given until June 30, 2025. Fraser Valley Regional District has been given until Dec. 31, 2025. Peace River Regional District has been given until Dec. 31, 2026. Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality has been given until June 30, 2027. Greenwood has been given until March 31, 2028. Osoyoos has been given until Dec. 31, 2029. Kitimat has been given until Dec. 31, 2030. Others have amended their bylaws for most areas of their community, the province says, but were granted an extension for certain areas and neighbourhoods where infrastructure upgrades are needed or underway, including: The Lougheed/Shaughnessy block in Port Coquitlam has been given until Dec. 31, 2025. Various areas within the Sunshine Coast Regional District have been given until Dec. 31, 2025. The 4th Avenue extension in Ladysmith has been given until Dec. 30, 2026. The Queensborough neighbourhood in New Westminster has been given until May 4, 2029. The Silver Creek and East Kawkawa Lake areas of Hope have been given until Dec. 30, 2030. Electoral Areas B, C, E and F in the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District have been given until Dec. 30, 2030. The Malone Road subdivision, Lot 5 Holland Creek, Forest Field Area, and south areas of Ladysmith have been given until Dec. 30, 2030. The Okanagan Falls and Faulder and Heritage Hills areas in the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District have been given until Dec. 30, 2030. Steveston in Richmond has been given until Dec. 30, 2030. Various areas in Kamloops, including the Rayleigh Waterworks District have been given until Dec. 31 2030. Part of the Proper neighbourhood and surrounding Hazel Park in Chilliwack have been given until Dec. 31, 2030. The Western Foreshore and Kye Bay areas of Comox have been given until Dec. 31, 2030. The province says seven requests for extensions from Ladysmith, Langley, Maple Ridge, the Mount Waddington Regional District, the Nanaimo Regional District, Sooke and View Royal were declined. “Communities that did not receive an extension have 90 days from the date they were first notified to adopt the new bylaws.” The extensions are frustrating District of West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager after Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon refused to grant West Vancouver an extension just weeks ago. “[I’m] very disappointed that they wouldn’t extend the same courtesy,” Sager told 1130 NewsRadio Monday. Sager thinks the government is pulling back now because the election is coming up and the legislation has seen pushback from mayors across the province. After meeting with the Union of BC Municipalities Monday, Sager says his city is not alone, feeling as though the housing ministry could have handled the legislation better. “I don’t think there’s a single mayor that is even remotely happy with the way this has been rolled out. They’re encroaching on municipal authority. Municipal responsibility is why we offer ourselves for public service, to do proper long-term planning that works in the community, to make sure that we have the proper infrastructure to service whatever is built — make sure that the simple things like the sewer pipes and the wire pipes are adequate. And so this one-size-fits-all dictated out of Victoria just seems to me and my council to be really offside,” said Sager. —With files from Srushti Gangdev.
Whats happening with the Massey Tunnel replacement? This Delta councillor wants to know
Posted September 19, 2024 7:55 am. Commuters heading to the Massey Tunnel can expect another day of gridlock with no word on how the replacement project is going. Delta Coun. Dylan Kruger isn’t happy, as the B.C. government hasn’t provided much of an update on the replacement project. Kruger’s wondering what’s going on. “We should have had a new crossing completed over two years ago … to relieve what is the biggest bottleneck in Metro Vancouver — over 100,000 commuters going through that crossing every day, stuck in traffic,” he told 1130 NewsRadio. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! Instead, Kruger says they’ve been given no information at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention, currently underway in downtown Vancouver. “There’s been no update to timelines or budget since pre covid. We are seeing almost every major multibillion-dollar infrastructure project go over time and over budget right now,” he explained. “I’m very concerned about the ability to deliver this project at the quote of $4.1 billion from a number of years ago, and I’m also increasingly concerned about meeting that 2030 deadline when we still don’t have an improved environmental assessment.” He points to what’s happened with other major projects like the North Shore Waste Water Treatment plant and the new Pattullo Bridge. Both have seen their price explode by billions of dollars, and delays in when the work is supposed to be done. “Building a tunnel is complex. You have to build it in segments on dry land and then plunk massive concrete tubes into the middle of the Fraser River estuary, so we still have an improved environmental assessment on the project and I’m also concerned about short and long-term impacts of one of our best regional parks in Metro Vancouver.” He says if the NDP had stuck with the project the then-BC Liberal government was building, people would already be using the new bridge. Kruger is crossing his fingers that Eby will give civic politicians an update at Thursday’s Union of BC Municipalities Convention.
Own this marina and restaurant on Galiano Island for $3 million
One of BC’s most iconic marinas, Montague Harbour Marina on Galiano Island’s southwest shore, is now for sale. Located in one of the largest natural harbours on the southern coast, Montague Harbour is a prime destination for boaters exploring the Gulf Islands and offers a dream opportunity to own a world-class property. As the island’s only marina, Montague is a must-visit stop along BC’s famous boating route. Colliers International Offering nearly 2,000 linear feet of moorage, the marina provides both transient and annual moorage options. This full-service facility is more than just a stopover; it includes a general store, restaurant, marine fuel services, and rentals for boats, mopeds, and kayaks. It even offers kayak tours, adding a recreational element for guests looking to explore the area. This property offers the chance to own a thriving business as well as a stunning piece of BC paradise — all for $3 million, a bargain compared to many BC homes. Colliers International Operating seasonally from May to September, Montague Harbour is a well-established marina with a strong management team and experienced staff. It offers significant potential for growth, including expansion under the current water lot lease and 0.77 acres of upland development opportunity. This could allow for further enhancements to the property. Aerial view of the property (Colliers International) For those with a passion for BC’s coastal lifestyle or those seeking a thriving business venture, Montague Harbour Marina presents a rare and exciting opportunity in the heart of the Gulf Islands. Spread across a 2.34-acre water lot, this marina is a well-managed operation, backed by tenured staff, making it an ideal investment for owner-operators or investors alike. Colliers International Montague Harbour Marine Park on Galiano Island is a haven for nature lovers, offering beaches, tidal lagoons, and towering forests, as well as stunning glacier-carved rock formations. See the listing from Colliers here.
Are you a Canadian prioritizing a mortgage before marriage?
If you and your long-term partner are ready to take your relationship to the next level, what are you choosing to do first: a mortgage or marriage? According to a recent Houseful survey, a majority of young first-time homebuyers in Canada are choosing doorbells before wedding bells. The online Canadian real estate platform owned by RBC found that 78% of single and unmarried first-time homebuyers under 30 are prioritizing saving for a mortgage over having a big, lavish wedding. “Younger adults are increasingly conscious of ongoing housing affordability challenges, which motivates them to secure a financially stable future by seizing saving opportunities earlier,” said Karen Starns, CEO of Houseful, in a news release. “After getting a foothold in the market, they can gain the flexibility to pursue other life milestones that are important to them.” With the cost of living crisis in Canada, buying a home or having a wedding is easier said than done. According to a recent report from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the average price of a home went up significantly this year. The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average home price in March 2024 was $698,530, up 2% from March 2023. In January, CREA said this national average was $659,395, up 7.6% from January 2023. This means from January to March this year, buying a home became $39,135 pricier. Houseful’s survey found that prospective homebuyers are aware of these difficulties in the current market, with 73% of those under 30 saying that reports about the market make housing look unattainable. But this isn’t stopping them from prioritizing home ownership, with 71% believing it will be an important part of their retirement plan. If you’re prioritizing a mortgage over marriage, Daily Hive wants to hear from you. Why have you decided to prioritize buying a home over having a wedding? How are you saving up? Share your story with us in the survey below or email your responses to [email protected] :
Over 900 homes in towers up to 39 storeys for Downtown Eastside
This three-tower project could fulfill roughly 10% of the Government of British Columbia’s total target of catalyzing affordable homes for middle-income households through the new BC Builds program. In the process, it would also revitalize the easternmost end of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, bringing new life to an area specifically named the East Village. The significant project would be the first of a number of major housing redevelopments envisioned for this segment of East Hastings Street towards Commercial Drive. The three properties for this particular project are located on an approximate one-city block stretch of East Hastings Street between Glen Drive and Vernon Drive. Tower 1 will be a 373-ft-tall, 38-storey building at 1030-1070 East Hastings Street, which is a vacant site immediately adjacent to the CN railway at the southwest corner of the intersection of Glen Drive and East Hastings Street. This site is the westernmost site of the three properties. Tower 1 will contain 382 secured purpose-built market rental homes, with a unit size mix of 135 studio units, 141 one-bedroom units, 93 two-bedroom units, and 13 three-bedroom units. Nearly 5,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant space will activate the building’s East Hastings Street frontage, and three live/work units will front Glen Drive. Three sites for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Three sites for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Tower 2 will be just around the corner from Tower 1. It will be located at 1115-1127 East Hastings Street, which is the northeast corner of the intersection of Glen Drive and East Hastings Street. Old, low-storey commercial buildings currently occupy this site. Tower 2 is envisioned as the tallest and largest of the three towers, at 390 feet and 39 storeys. Tower 2 will contain 383 secured purpose-built market rental homes, with a unit size mix of 165 studio units, 123 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, and 20 three-bedroom units. There will also be nearly 8,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant space, primarily at ground level, to activate the building’s frontages with East Hastings Street and Glen Drive. Tower 1; Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Tower 2; Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Tower 2 (left) and Tower 1 (right); Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) While Tower 1 and Tower 2 are highly similar in uses and size, Tower 3 will be markedly different, with a shorter height of 195 ft and 19 storeys. Tower 3’s site of 1168-1180 East Hastings Street is the easternmost parcel of the three-site project, situated immediately east of Pink Peal Chinese Restaurant. Two low-storey structures currently occupy the site, including the 1905-built, three-storey Vernon Apartments SRO with 36 units. Tower 3 will contain 157 social housing units dedicated to seniors, with a unit size mix of 42 studio units, 79 one-bedroom units, and 36 larger one-for-one replacement SRO studio units. There will be higher levels of affordability with these homes rented at shelter, Housing Income Limits, and Low-and-Moderate Income Limit rates. There will also be a 2,300 sq ft social enterprise space fronting East Hastings Street. Tower 3; Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) Tower 3; Concept for the East Village on East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (ZGF Architects/Westbank/Promerita/BC Housing) All three towers will feature a combined total of 924 homes, including 767 secured purpose-built market rental homes for middle-income households in Tower 1 and Tower 2 and 157 units of social housing for seniors, which is purposefully equivalent to over 20% of the project’s market rental homes as a public benefit. Overall, about 80% of the homes across all three buildings will be considered affordable for households with incomes below $80,000. These three towers in the East Village are a joint partnership between local developer Westbank, local investment firm Promerita, and the provincial government through BC Housing. Westbank and Promerita will own and operate Tower 1 and Tower 2, and they have already transferred ownership of the Tower 3 social housing site to BC Housing for a nominal fee. Westbank will be the lead developer responsible for the rezoning, development, and construction process of all three towers. ZGF Architects is the project’s design firm. Each tower represents a different rezoning application, but they will be considered together. All three applications have been submitted, and the review process is now set to enter formal public consultation. “BC Housing, through BC Builds, is very interested in participating in the proposed creation of new rental housing at the East Village with Promerita, Westbank, and a future non-profit operator, however, BC Housing’s final participation is further contingent on City Council rezoning approval as well as settlement of the final negotiated business terms amongst the parties,” reads a letter of support written to the City by Mike Pistrin, the vice president of development and asset strategies for BC Housing. “One of these milestones have been achieved and BC Housing has certainty regarding the inclusion of affordable rental units being approved, final project approval by our executive committee and associated boards will
B.C. announces new clean energy building rebates
Posted September 18, 2024 7:38 am. A new program aimed at supporting people and communities to make the switch to clean energy and save on their energy bills was announced by the B.C. government Tuesday. Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne explained the ministry is launching the Clean BC Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program in partnership with BC Hydro. She says this program will provide rebates and energy coaching to business owners, strata councils, and equity co-op boards to undertake whole-building retrofits. “This includes everything from heat pumps to LED lighting, electrical upgrades, to better windows and ventilation,” she said. “Rebate amounts will depend on what retrofits and upgrades the building requires.” Osborne says one example could be that a building is switching from fossil fuel heating to electric heat pumps and may then receive $3,000 per heat pump installed. The minister says retrofitting buildings to make them cleaner is complex, and this program provides one-on-one advice and energy coaching to support building owners and managers in navigating the process. The ministry expects that a typical 65-unit building could save as much as $16,250 per year, or $250 per year per suite, after switching from central gas heating to in-suite heat pumps. “Making smart choices about how we use clean electricity has been core to our business for over 35 years,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “Energy-efficiency programs defer the need for additional capital infrastructure, helping to keep rates affordable and offer additional flexibility to our electricity system. But equally important, programs like this one and the many others we offer provide our customers with the opportunity to save energy and money.”
Host First Nations, B.C. government to build 2,600 below-market homes in Vancouver
Posted September 19, 2024 9:39 am. Last Updated September 19, 2024 10:24 am. A new housing project on the lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations will create 2,600 new affordable homes. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE! The homes will be at Heather Lands, an 8.5-hectare (21-acre) lot between West 33rd and West 37th avenues on Heather Street, just east of Queen Elizabeth Park. The province says buyers will be able to purchase the homes at 60 per cent of market value — with 40 per cent of the cost covered by provincial financing. In an announcement Thursday, Premier David Eby explained the financing agreement isn’t a grant or a subsidy, it’s a loan from the province. “The 40 per cent is repaid at the end of 25 years, or when the owner sells. … What we have created here, together, is a financing tool that protects taxpayers, that minimizes impact on public budgets, and yet, at the same time, delivers affordable housing now,” Eby explained. “And when the loan is paid back by the homeowner, [it] protects affordability in the future,” he added. Eby shared that the homes will be sold as 99-year strata-leaseholds with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. “The unit prices will be determined at the time they actually go up for sale, but if they were for sale today, under current market conditions, a studio apartment on the site would sell for $620,000. Under this program we’re announcing today, that same studio apartment will sell for $370,000,” he said. “On this site today, the market price for a two-bedroom condo is $1.3 million. Under this program that we’re announcing today, that will be $780,000.” Eby added priority will be given to first homebuyers, and there will be “strict” criteria around income and asset ceilings for would-be purchasers. “I want to assure you that we will have strict rules and screening measures in place, and anyone who thinks that they can game the system when we detect that, there will be serious consequences.” The province says that to cover the 40 per cent of purchase prices, it will need to finance an estimated $670 million. If purchasers would like to buy out the remaining 40 per cent of the value of the home, Eby shared owners are able to do just that, “but if they exit in advance of 25 years, then they need to pay the appreciation in the value of the property as well.” “Say property values go up, they would have to pay that share of the government’s appreciation of the property as well. And say, property values go down, they would still have to pay the full amount back to the government that was loaned at the first instance,” he added. More to come.
Median luxury home price in Vancouver down 1.8 per cent from 2023: report
Posted September 19, 2024 10:46 am. Vancouver’s luxury home market is still soft, according to the latest report from Royal LePage, but that doesn’t mean prices are dropping. The real estate group says sales in the segment are down almost 40 per cent through the first eight months of the year, compared to the same time last year. But prices barely fell — by less than two per cent — to a little under $7 million. The report considers $ 5.5 million to be the entry-level price for Vancouver’s luxury market. It says from January to the end of August, the median luxury home price in Vancouver was $6,975,000 — the highest in the country. For comparison, the median in Toronto over the same period was $5,820,000. “In Vancouver’s luxury segment, it seems everyone is trying to time the bottom of the market. As such, we’ve seen a slowdown in activity of late. After all, buyers love to buy when others are buying,” said a sales representative for the company. He says a “pullback” in Vancouver’s luxury market began about eight years ago, and activity has never fully rebounded. “The implementation of the 2023 foreign buyer ban, which has limited residential real estate purchases by non-Canadians, has reduced demand, although it has not had a material impact on prices,” he added. Royal Lepage expects moderate activity levels through the fall, despite the likelihood of additional interest rate cuts.
Choosing the Right HVAC Company for Your Furnace Installation
Choosing the correct HVAC provider for your furnace installation can help to guarantee a flawless and profitable experience. The caliber of the installation can affect the lifetime, energy economy, and performance of your system. Having so many businesses to pick from makes it crucial to know what criteria to give top priority while deciding which one to use. These salient features can help you decide which HVAC firm best fits your furnace installation.The ottawa furnace repairs are essential when heating systems break down, ensuring your home stays warm during the city’s harsh winters. Verify correct licenses and certifications. Make sure HVAC firms have the required licenses and qualifications to carry out furnace installations while assessing them. This guarantees the business uses technicians certified to industry standards and follows local and state laws. Search for certifications from companies such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence), which shows that the technicians are equipped to tackle challenging projects by means of thorough training. Examine Experience and Expertise. Installation of a furnace depends on experience. Years of experience translate into a company more likely to have faced different installation difficulties and acquired the knowledge to properly handle them. Find out the company’s length of business history and whether they have particular knowledge about the kind of furnace you are installing. Expert specialists will be able to suggest the correct furnace for your house and guarantee a correct installation maximizing comfort and efficiency. Consult Reviews and Ask Advice Customer testimonials and reviews provide insightful analysis on the caliber of the services a business offers. To gain a sense of the company’s reputation, search internet reviews on websites including Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Particularly with relation to their professionalism, timeliness, and work quality, seek for constant good comments. Ask neighbors, relatives, or acquaintances who have had similar setups for suggestions as well. Referrals from friends might assist you to locate reliable HVAC experts in your neighborhood. Get a thorough estimate. Before doing any repair, a qualified HVAC company will offer a thorough estimate. The estimate should cover furnace costs, labor, possible extra fees for permits or ductwork changes, and any guarantees provided. Companies that present either very low or unclear estimates should be avoided since these could point to hidden expenses or poor quality of service. An open, itemized estimate shows a company’s professionalism and integrity. Scheduling timely ottawa furnace repairscan prevent small issues from escalating into costly and disruptive heating system failures.
1200 block Homer Street west side
There are three buildings here that remain one of the last undeveloped industrial premises in Downtown South (often called Yaletown these days, although technically that’s the other side of the street). 1293 on the corner was developed in 1925, and 1285, the 3-storey section, five years later, designed and built by Dominion Construction for $8,000. 1277 Homer, the smaller element beyond it dates from 1948. Remarkably, they hang on as the last remaining manufacturing operation in a location surrounded by residential towers. Both the southern buildings were developed by C E Mahon, an Ontario insurance and real estate broker who moved to Vancouver in 1907. This seems to have been his only investment property, apart from his home on West 13th. Born in Paisley, Ontario, in 1871, he retired from his real estate and insurance business in 1946. He was elected as an alderman in 1913, and four subsequent years. He was appointed police commissioner from 1930 to 1933. He had six children, all but one living in Vancouver when he died. 1293 Homer, the older building, was occupied by Crown Cartage. They also operated Crown Messenger Service, and were looking for ‘Messenger Boys and Solo Riders’ in 1930. The same operation was there in 1941, when the classified add specified they were seeking boys with bicycles for delivery and messenger work. In 1943 5,658 gasoline vouchers, representing almost 17,000 gallons of gasoline were stolen from the premises – confirming the existence of a black market in gasoline (if that had ever been in any doubt). In 1944 thieves blew open the safe with explosives in the middle of the night, taking $365, a victory bond, and a $66.70 cheque. A year later there was another break in, but one of the thieves left a fingerprint on a piece of broken glass, that led to him receiving a 2-year prison sentence. In 1946 $1,000 was stolen from the safe, with police having no clue how the safe had been opened. It was reported as the fourth time in a year that the safe had been opened, and several other attempts had been unsuccessful. Extraordinarily, the money was found five days later in a sawdust bin in the lane behind the business. The address disappeared in the early 1950s when the premises were occupied by the company in the next building along. The first mention of 1285 Homer in the press was in 1934, when there was a break in at Electrical Power Equipment Ltd. The same company continues to occupy the premises today. In 1956 thieves chopped through a strongbox and stole $1,000 in paycheques. The thieves also took the corresponding insurance books which might allow them to cash the cheques. In 1967 brothers Alan and Roy Pearson were given suspended sentences when they broke into the premises, stealing a radio, camera and tools. For many years Barvic Engineering also operated here. They specialised in translation sets, that allowed simultaneous French-English translation. They supplied 22 sets to the Canadian Bar Association convention in 1968, but The Sun, under the headline ‘Lost in Translation’ reported that only three of them were returned. Electrical Power Equipment Ltd still manufacture here, as they were in our 1981 image. We think the company probably own the premises these days. They supply one-off switchgear for high voltage applications like power plants and production facilities. The company design, build and install their equipment, which also includes complete fire detection and suppression systems for industrial applications. Image source: City of Vancouver Archives CVA 779-E08.10 1413
Should the BC government create the Ministry of Construction?
Ahead of the October 2024 provincial election, two organizations representing the construction industry in British Columbia are calling on the province’s political parties to commit to creating a new provincial government Ministry of Construction. According to the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA), such a dedicated ministry led by its own cabinet minister would work with the Ministry of Housing to accelerate the construction of affordable housing. They would also collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Education to address the skilled labour shortage, as well as liaison and advocate for new and improved regulations that streamline construction and public procurement practices, and improve environmental sustainability. Both organizations suggest that the construction industry needs its own cabinet role, given that this particular industry contributes $27 billion to the province’s GDP and the total current value of construction projects is approximately $160 billion. This new minister would be the “ultimate project manager” for cutting through the red tape and making the construction process in BC more efficient. “Given the importance of BC’s construction industry, not to mention its size, complexity, and impact on communities across the province, we remain steadfast in asking for this commitment,” said Chris Atchison, the president of BCCA, in a statement. VRCA President Jeannine Martin adds, “Construction isn’t just about buildings. It’s about communities, infrastructure, and the future of this province. We need a minister who will ensure our industry gets the voice and attention it deserves. It’s time we had someone in charge of this vital, economy-driving, entrepreneurial industry.” Both associations are also urging for the creation of “Prompt Payment Legislation” that would help ensure timely payments for construction contractors and subcontractors, which they say would provide greater financial security and stability and help mitigate cash flow challenges faced by small- and medium-sized businesses. According to the VRCA and the BCCA, the Northern Regional Construction Association and the Southern Interior Construction Association fully support the creation of a Ministry of Construction. Atchison notes the idea is not new, as the BCCA has been advocating for the creation of such a Ministry since 2019. Currently, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure delegates the responsibility of managing and overseeing major transportation infrastructure projects to the provincial Crown corporation Transportation Investment Corporation (TI Corp), which was previously the agency responsible for collecting tolls on the Port Mann Bridge. TI Corp oversees about $15 billion in major provincial-led transportation infrastructure projects, including the replacement Pattullo Bridge, the replacement George Massey Tunnel, SkyTrain’s Millennium Line Broadway Extension, SkyTrain’s Expo Line Surrey-Langley Extension, and the fourth phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project. This also comes at a time when the provincial government is seeing significantly higher costs for its various major construction projects.
B.C. businesses seek concrete economic vision from parties ahead of fall election
Posted September 10, 2024 1:15 pm. Last Updated September 10, 2024 8:49 pm. Leaders from a wide array of businesses in British Columbia are urging the province’s political parties to “deliver a clear and actionable plan” for revitalizing an economy that they say has pushed many residents into a “personal recession.” Groups representing the forestry and mining industries, independent businesses and contractors say they have sent a survey of 10 questions to leaders of political parties ahead of the fall election, asking for a clear response on their economic visions for B.C. and concrete steps to get there. Business Council of British Columbia president Laura Jones says her group is seeing more residents expressing a loss of hope in their “prospect of building a good life” in the province due to economic concerns, even if B.C. isn’t technically in a recession. Other business leaders say they want the next B.C. government to answer concerns about the high cost of doing business, government budget deficits, bureaucracy in delaying permitting of projects, public safety and acute labour shortages. The call for action comes the same day provincial finance minister Katrine Conroy is unveiling B.C.’s first quarterly report, and Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) President Bridgitte Anderson says businesses remain in the dark about the economic platforms of the major parties. Anderson says a recent parliamentary budget report painted a “dire” picture for B.C.’s finances that requires “billions of dollars that need to be cut or increased in taxes” for stability, and businesses are asking those who could form the next government “to show us a vision.” “I think there’s a lot of voters who are undecided right now, within the business community and public at large,” Anderson says. “And I think this is an opportunity for all of the parties to look at their platforms and to appeal to the voters. “This is a unique opportunity, and elections matter, campaigns matter. And this campaign will matter more than anything.” In late August, the province said B.C. ended the fiscal year with a deficit of around $5 billion due to items such as wildfire expenses and essential spending on “priority services.” That comes as the GVBOT says its members have incurred an additional 6.5 billion dollars in government imposed costs in the last two years, which Anderson tells 1130 NewsRadio is unsustainable for small businesses. “The regulatory system is challenging when it comes to licensing and permitting. So businesses in British Columbia are facing many challenges right now, and the cost of doing business is simply too high,” she said. Anderson says members of the board came up with 10 questions for political parties ahead of the election, hoping they are answered publicly. She says the questions focus on the economy, business growth, innovation, and investment, “but also other items like ‘what is the energy policy of all of the parties?’ And ‘how will they address some of the very serious issues we’re seeing around public safety and crime?’” Anderson says the NDP government has made some positive adjustments to their regulation thresholds to allow for breaks for small businesses, but many of the over 5,000 members of the GVBOT have answered surveys saying it’s still too expensive to do business in the region. “It is property taxes, it is the cost of labour, it is inflation, it is licensing and permitting. It is so many layers of different costs that businesses are dealing with right now that simply make this jurisdiction just really unaffordable.” The fiscal update in August also said natural resources revenues are down while vehicle insurance revenue from ICBC rose. Earlier this month, Canfor Corp. announced it is shuttering two northern B.C. sawmills , citing a recently imposed U.S. tariff as a key factor on top of ongoing financial losses, a weak lumber market and difficulty accessing economically viable timber in the province. –With files from Srushti Gangdev.
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