Building & Industry News
Community Benefits Policy Undermines Community Benefits
The BC govt recently cancelled contracts for construction of the Burnaby Hospital’s second phase, as well as long-term care projects in Delta, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Kelowna. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says the BC govt’s deficit of $13.3 billion is...
Is BC Govt Asleep at the Wheel?
On March 26, Ontario announced a partnership with Ottawa to fund tax relief on new housing and a reduction of municipal development charges. More than a month later, British Columbia homebuyers and builders are still waiting for similar tax relief. The Ontario...
Got a Call From City of Victoria
Got a call from the City of Victoria building permit dept. Claimed the builder voluntarily opted for $2,500 engineering report for installing spray foam. Wrong. The builder was told by the permit dept that the engineering report is mandatory. We sent the permit dept...
Carbon-Neutral RNG Offers Energy Security, Affordability
The BC government allows municipalities to effectively ban carbon-neutral, renewable natural gas (RNG) in new homes, undermining housing affordability and energy security. Yet the province now admits BC has an electricity supply shortage. BC imports more electricity...
New Missing Middle Housing Up 100% in 2026
According to CMHC, year- to-date, (Jan to March 2026) Greater Victoria has posted 692 new homes, a 12% increase from the 612 last year (Jan to March 2025). That said, CMHC reports only 132 housing starts in March 2026 in Greater Victoria. This is a 64% decline from...
Federal Tax Relief Kickstarts Ontario Housing
Ontario builders are reporting brisk sales since the federal and provincial govts announced a tax relief deal for new housing. Builders are also rehiring staff and subtrades boosting Ontario’s employment and economy. The agreement removes the full 13% HST on new homes...
BC Homebuyers Await Eby/Carney Housing Partnership
If housing unaffordability is a consideration, BC should have been first out of the gate announcing a partnership with Ottawa to fund tax relief and reduction of municipal development charges. BC has the highest average home price at $932,711 where the country’s...
2026 CARE Awards – Call for Entry
The Victoria Residential Builders Association (VRBA) announces the Call for Entry for the 2026 Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards of Vancouver Island. The CARE Awards is the premier industry event celebrating Canada’s leaders in...
Saanich Councillors’ Motion to Remove Housing Targets Derailed
On March 16, Saanich council considered a motion by Councillors Brownoff and Brice to send a letter to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs asking for removal of Saanich's housing targets. VRBA sent the following response for consideration at the council...
BC & Local Govts Share Responsibility for Rising DCCs
Premier Eby expressed concerns about rising Development Cost Charges (DCCs) on new housing at a meeting of the BC Real Estate Association. DCCs were originally intended to upgrade sewer and water, sidewalks, etc adjacent to new developments. The BC govt expanded DCCs...