Presentation to CRD Board Re: Water Supply Plan & DCCs – Feb 11, 2026
Casey Edge, Executive Director, Victoria Residential Builders Association
View the 3 minute video presentation here.
Good afternoon,
Our industry commissioned report on the CRD’s Water Supply Plan says the plan lacks adequate technical and financial due diligence. Local taxpayers will want to avoid a repeat of the North Shore Wastewater project boosting costs from $700 million to $3.8 billion.
A former CRD manager of water services says the project is based on questionable assumptions, and alternatives get scant attention.
A recent industry analysis of the DCC’s impact says most new housing is not viable under current market conditions and the DCCs would futher reduce viability.
This is due diligence that should have been done by the CRD before the DCCs were proposed.
CMHC says new housing will trend lower this year due to weak supply and demand. The DCCs will only exacerbate a delay in a recovery.
A few months ago, the CRD launched a survey asking: What are the greatest challenges to improving housing affordability and what actions could the CRD take?
The answer to this question is do not approve this DCC bylaw.
Last week, the CRD issued a news release claiming a revised building permit will “support affordable housing.”
How will this permit compensate for new DCCs of up to $9,044 per new home?
Last year, Victoria boosted DCCs 258%, and a few years ago in Saanich 180%, Central Saanich 100%, Sooke 98%.
DCCs were intended for local upgrades adjacent to a development. Now they have become a cash machine by including costs for upstream infrastructure that should be paid by all taxpayers and senior levels of government, not new homebuyers.
I often hear the phrase, growth must pay for growth. What about anti-growth municipalities paying for growth? Last year, more than 40% of the CRD’s new housing was in two out of 13 municipalities – Langford and Colwood.
Of the 4,859 new homes, there were only 67 in Oak Bay, Central Saanich 46, Sidney 30, North Saanich 16, View Royal 3, Metchosin 3, Highlands 2.
Why are new homebuyers in Langford and Colwood paying the freight for municipalities obstructing new housing?
The DCC Best Practices Guide says the Ministry of Municipal Affairs may refuse approval of a bylaw if the DCCs are excessive.
Our analysis shows they are excessive and we recommend the ministry refuse the bylaw, if passed by the board.
During my recent housing forecast presentation, I was asked how elected officials would react if housing starts declined from these DCCs.
Considering spiraling government costs during my 25 years doing this job, I said most seem unconcerned.
I invite you to prove me wrong. Thank you.