 Naughty or nice, B.C.’s housing list is already having an effect
| | |  | | | As it turns out, there were two meetings of note this week involving Metro Vancouver mayors.
The first one you likely know about — the Tuesday afternoon cruise on a 30-metre yacht, organized by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim as he attempts to have his city play a greater role in regional governance conversations around transportation, infrastructure and housing. The second meeting happened a day later, in the more traditional setting of the Metro Vancouver boardroom. On the agenda was a presentation by Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, with the title, “Homes for People – Provincial Housing Strategy, Partnerships, and the Role of Metro Vancouver and its Members.”
But there was one particular phrase he repeated multiple times to the mayors that provoked a mix of amusement and confusion.
“I never called it a naughty list,” he said.
Mayors told Metro Matters that Kahlon showed his annoyance with the term repeatedly in talking about the list of 47 municipalities that could see their jurisdiction over development taken away if they fail to approve enough new housing.
The phrase didn’t come from the government but evolved organically in the media and among the public. And despite Kahlon’s protestations, he hasn’t exactly discouraged the use of the phrase.
“If communities don't participate and don't help solve the housing crisis in a way that all of us think is satisfactory, then they perhaps will be on a naughty list," he told CBC News just the day before.
Whatever the case, Kahlon’s comments indicate the province would prefer municipalities not feel like they’re under siege and not speak out as Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley did. Already facing criticism from many cities around crime and safety issues, it’s not surprising they would prefer the conversation around housing be more collaborative and positive. And truth be told, many municipalities on the list see their inclusion as a positive, giving them more cover for ramping up the pace of development.
But at the end of the day, it is a list. And whether Kahlon likes it or not, municipalities will each interpret it in their own way.
After all, consider the case of View Royal this week: council rejected a motion from the mayor to put a pause on new developments.
One of the reasons? According to the Times Colonist, they didn’t want to inflame the province.
“I want responsible developments, and that’s our duty as councillors,” said Geri Lemon at the council meeting.
“But I don’t want to tickle the elephant, either.” | | |  | | | 1. Vancouver | | | Sim could invite all the mayors to sea on a Tuesday because council was off last week, but things pick up next week with two big land-use issues: the continuation of the permit board hearing on 105 Keefer on Monday and details on the massive Jericho Lands on Friday. One concerns a single building, the other an area the size of a small neighbourhood, but expect the reaction to both events to break down along well-established lines in the housing debate.
Read more | | |  | | | 2. Richmond | After rejecting a proposed bike pathway along Steveston Highway that TransLink was going to contribute $5 million to, council had a do-over vote and switched from 5-4 against to 5-4 in favour. While cycling advocates were happy, one could note that Richmond has been talking about this pathway for a decade, and the speed at which municipalities go from plans to reality on their cycling networks continues to lag.
Read more | | | |  | | | 3. Harrison Hot Springs | It’s been a while since we checked in with possibly the most dysfunctional municipality in the province, so let’s recap the last couple of weeks: a councillor resigned due to his disagreements with the mayor. So did the head of the village’s planning commission. And so has the interim CAO — who was only in the job because of the initial exodus of staff months ago. Other than that, things are great.
Read more in the Agassiz-Harrison Observer | | | | | |  | | | 4. Wildfires | It is the time of the year when mayors of smaller communities are less likely to be in the news due to political dysfunction and more likely to be speaking because of nearby wildfires. Tumbler Ridge is under evacuation order, Port Alberni is all but cut off from the east coast of Vancouver Island, and their leaders are maintaining calm in what could be the start of a long summer for many towns.
Read more | | | |  | | | 5. Burnaby and beer | While most big municipalities have either embraced legal park drinking or craft breweries, B.C.’s third-largest city has done neither — until now. Residents will be able to imbibe in some parks beginning June 23, while staff are looking at policies that could bring more brewmasters to Burnaby…assuming that there’s still demand after Port Moody, North Van, and many others have already established their own industries. Read more | | | | | | Share this newsletter | | or subscribe if this was
forwarded to you. | | | | That's it for this this week! In the meantime, check out the latest headlines at cbc.ca/bc and follow our municipal affairs reporter Justin McElroy on Twitter. And if you have any questions you might want answered in a future mailbag, drop Justin a line at metromatters@cbc.ca. | | | |
