Articles related to provincial and federal legislation that affects local governments.
A panel of planners and a representative from the Ministry of Housing gathered at the Housing Summit 2024 to discuss development finance changes stemming from legislation passed in the fall. Bill 46 specifically changes the framework for development and amenity charges, but is in context of several other housing-related bills that shift the way local governments plan for housing.
The provincial government is proposing amendments to the Land Act to enable shared decision making with Indigenous Governing Bodies, in keeping with Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) agreements. UBCM met with provincial staff last week and requested the Province hold an engagement session for local governments to learn more about these amendments. This is being held February 21, and written feedback can be submitted to the Province until March 31.
As BC’s decriminalization pilot project reaches the end of its first year, local governments continue to support this initiative as one tool to address the toxic drug crisis. However, recent developments in BC courts leave local governments unclear where public use of illicit drugs will be allowed.
The Province is hosting a series of webinars for local government staff to support implementation of Bills 44 (small scale multi-unit housing, planning reforms), 46 (development finance), and 47 (transit-oriented areas). Each webinar will include a presentation of technical details and legislative requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions of subject matter experts.
The provincial government has announced $18 million in short-term funding for local governments and First Nations to address new consultation and collaboration responsibilities outlined in the new Emergency and Disaster Management Act.
The Province has issued guidelines, policy manuals, and regulations to implement Bill 35 – Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, Bill 44 – Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act and Bill 47 – Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act. Links to these materials are provided here for member reference.
UBCM president Trish Mandewo commented on the process followed by the province in developing these bills in a recent video.
Amidst the Province’s fall sitting—five separate pieces of legislation were introduced that, taken together, will fundamentally shift the way local governments plan for and manage housing—the UBCM Executive Board met for its quarterly meeting on November 16 – 17.
UBCM has received legal counsel that Bill 45, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, is intended to, and may in fact, limit the ability of local governments to manage homeless encampments. Bill 45 will apply to local governments seeking court injunctions to remove or regulate homeless encampments.
Legislation (Bill 47) has been introduced that will allow the Province to establish minimum allowable height and density for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas. Local governments will be required to designate these areas near transit hubs and consider applicable guidelines pertaining to them. The Province expects that approximately 100 TOD areas will be designated in approximately 30 municipalities within the first year of the legislation coming into effect.
On November 6, the Province of BC introduced legislation under Bill 45, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, that will apply to local governments who seek court injunctions to remove or regulate homeless encampments. These amendments will have significant impacts on local governments and their ability to address encampments in their communities.