Message from Russ Barry, VRBA President:
In my final column as VRBA President, I want to thank everyone for your support and positive feedback.
Throughout the year, we advocated for improvements to address housing affordability and consumer protection. These include:
- a cap on DCCs, CACs, and other fees;
- more efficient permit processes and reasonable site standards for missing middle housing;
- a renovation rebate or tax credit for seismic safety and asbestos mitigation;
- responsible regional planning to support housing infrastructure and LRT.
LRT construction to the West Shore should already be underway to promote efficient transportation and GHG reduction.
Our association is a leader in advocating Built Green construction. Through this column, we have encouraged the practice of building both sustainably and affordably.
VRBA’s annual CARE Awards event provides recognition for Green Builder of the Year, Award for Environmental Achievement, and the Award for Innovation and Sustainability.
All of the Gold winners appeared in the 2025 CARE Awards magazine distributed in the Times Colonist on Saturday, November 8.
You can also view the Gold and Silver projects online at careawards.ca.
Our online Expression of Interest form at vrba.ca/hire-a-builder/ offers an easy way to contact VRBA builders to renovate or build your new home.
I hope this column has outlined some of the local housing challenges and solutions, while offering ways to get started with your own project.
Our goal is to provide a brighter and more affordable future for housing in Greater Victoria.
Thank you for your support! I have enjoyed my year as VRBA President and offer best wishes to my successor, Brian Trenchard, President-Elect.
This column appears Wednesdays in the Times Colonist.
Visit us at vrba.ca and careawards.ca. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.