91原创 Township will put off approving two of the key planks in the provincial housing reforms approved last summer 鈥� at least until it's determined which political party is running the B.C. Legislature.
The council was scheduled to give final approval to bylaws mandating a Willowbrook transit oriented area, around the site of the future Township SkyTrain station, as well as approving bylaws allowing small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUHs) across much of the community.
Both pieces of legislation had drawn the ire of Mayor Eric Woodward, who has lambasted the provincial government for its broad-brush approach to housing reform. Since the reforms were unveiled in 2023, Woodward has said they will undermine the Township's future plans for its own growth.
The regulations were introduced by the NDP, and earlier this year, then-Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon denied the Township an extension on bringing its bylaws into compliance with the new provincial rules.
"The request for extension on the basis of council鈥檚 deferral is refused," said the letter from Kahlon to the Township, dated July 25. "Based on the application materials submitted, it is not apparent enough (from the documentation provided) that infrastructure upgrades are immediately needed in order to address risk to public health, safety, or environment."
The Township had until Oct. 23 to wrap up its bylaws.
On Monday, Oct. 21, both bylaws were ready for final reading, but Woodward suggested deferring the final reading again until the final election counts are complete.
鈥淚 think here it鈥檚 appropriate to see who forms government," Woodward said.
The election night results on Oct. 19 left the NDP with 46 seats, one short of a majority, the B.C. Conservatives with 45, and the Greens with two. Two seats saw the NDP ahead by less than 100 votes, and will see automatic recounts, while a number of other seats could also see requested recounts. With the Elections BC final count scheduled for Oct. 26-28, when the last 49,000 absentee and mail-in ballots will be counted for ridings across the province, it remained uncertain which party leader might become premier.
Conservative leader John Rustad has at times criticized the NDP's housing policies, but also during the election promised to create a fund for cities that allowed SSMUHs.
Most of the council agreed with a further delay past the final deadline.
鈥淚 think before we start talking to anyone or doing anything at the provincial level, we鈥檇 better know who鈥檚 in control or who鈥檚 not," said Councillor Tim Baillie.
The Township's director of community planning and policy, Chan Kooner, was asked about possible consequences for disobeying a ministerial order.
He noted the situation was unique, because there is no minister of housing at the moment.
Provincial cabinet ministers lose their portfolios when an election writ is dropped. New cabinet ministers are appointed when the leader of a party forms a new government with the confidence of the Legislature.
Coun. Michael Pratt said that there was little harm in waiting, considering that the regulations around housing density for transit hubs applied to a SkyTrain station that wouldn't be in operation for five years.
Both bylaws will now be deferred until after the final election results are out. Since they are at the final reading stage, if the council considers them and votes in favour of them at a future meeting, they will take effect immediately.
.jpg)