National

B.C. Premier David Eby's housing bills move ahead

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Nov, 2022 12:12 PM

VICTORIA - The first two pieces of legislation proposed by Premier David Eby have passed second reading and return to the legislature today as he follows through on a pledge to act quickly on key issues facing British Columbia.

The Housing Supply Act and Building and Strata Statutes Amendment Act both passed Tuesday after time limits were imposed on debate.

Big problems demand bold action. I'm committed to building a province where everyone has the opportunity for a good home.

Here's how ➡️ https://t.co/orr0KYAmx9 pic.twitter.com/kv8mXgwnJ3
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) November 23, 2022

New Democrats and the two Green Party members voted in favour while Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon and the other 25 BC Liberal members opposed the bills.

The legislation aims to increase housing supply with measures that will end several rental restrictions and have the potential to force local governments to meet housing growth targets.

Criticism of the bills includes concern that housing growth targets aren't clearly defined, potentially affecting everything from official community plans to efforts to limit urban sprawl or address climate adaptation.

With the fall session set to conclude Thursday, Eby must move quickly after being sworn-in less than a week ago following former premier John Horgan's decision to give up the leadership for health reasons.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Auditor in counting dispute with B.C. over $6B

Michael Pickup says an audit of B.C.'s final budget accounting for the 2020-21 fiscal year under-reports revenues by $6 billion, which does not give a clear representation of the province's financial position.

Auditor in counting dispute with B.C. over $6B

Industry groups look to new cabinet for action

Business and labour groups are urging the new federal cabinet to get to work on priority economic issues like the skilled labour shortage, supply chain issues, fixing employment insurance and ensuring an equitable recovery.

Industry groups look to new cabinet for action

Ship fire off B.C. coast may take days to put out

The agency says in a statement that time estimate is from a salvage master and team that were able to board the MV Zim Kingston Monday night. Danaos Shipping Co., the ship's owner, says it is co-operating with Canadian officials and has contracted a firefighting company to help fight the fires.

Ship fire off B.C. coast may take days to put out

Many Canadians to keep door closed on Halloween

Some 93 per cent of respondents whose kids trick-or-treated last year intend to have them go candy hunting again this Sunday, according to a new survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies.

Many Canadians to keep door closed on Halloween

Anand to lead war on military sex misconduct

Anita Anand’s arrival in the position follows months of controversy surrounding the Liberal government’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving some of the military’s most senior officers.

Anand to lead war on military sex misconduct

Trudeau makes Bennett new mental health minister

Carolyn Bennett, who served recently as minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, has been tapped to take on the new minister of mental health and addictions role. The role has been separated from the rest of the health portfolio, which will be helmed by former Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos.