Advocacy Update Archive

Advocacy Update – May 28, 2026

The provincial government is investing $241 million over three years to train
British Columbians for in-demand skilled trades jobs.

News

DCC and GST Relief
A joint follow-up letter was issued to provincial Housing Minister Boyle, signed by eight sector organizations – the Urban Development Institute, BC Real Estate Association (BCREA), BC Business Council, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC, Homebuilders Association Vancouver, Landlord BC, and the BC Construction Association. After a lack of clarity from the Minister following concerns initially raised on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, we again called for immediate action for a Goods and Services Tax (GST) rebate and Development Cost Charge (DCC) relief to help restart housing activity in British Columbia.

Funding Skilled Trades Training
The provincial government is investing $241 million over three years to train British Columbians for in-demand jobs. This includes funding up to 5,000 new trades training seats, cutting waitlists for in-demand trades programs, increasing per-seat funding across apprenticeship programs, and better connecting training with employer needs and expanding access throughout the province. BCREA has advocated for more funding to help address the skilled trades worker shortage in our province and build needed housing supply.

CMHC Mortgage Insurance Expansion
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is expanding its mortgage loan insurance (MLI) offering to include more options for prefabricated and modular homes. The new CMHC Prefab Plus allows homebuyers to purchase a factory-built home with a minimum down payment of 5 per cent and access CMHC-insured financing for their mortgage. CMHC Prefab Plus also allows the homebuyer to receive funds in up to four stages (known as draws) as construction milestones are met, rather than in one lump sum. CMHC is also expanding its multi-unit MLI to allow modular construction for all its multi-unit products, including MLI Select.

Short-Term Rentals
The provincial government’s welcome acceleration of the short-term rental opt-out process announced last month came after sustained advocacy from the Association of Interior REALTORS®, BCREA, and a number of other real estate and business groups, and importantly, is identical to what was proposed in the Interior’s 2025 report, Unlocking Flexibility: Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations in British Columbia’s Interior.

Federal Conservatives on Property Rights
In response to the Cowichan Tribes v. Canada case, federal Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre held a press conference in North Vancouver on property rights, where he and several Conservative Members of Parliament reiterated the party’s motion that calls on the federal government to protect private property rights by:

• Instructing federal lawyers to argue in court that private property rights take priority over all other claims,
• Requiring explicit property protections in all future federal agreements with First Nations,
• Publishing a plan within 30 days to protect Canadians affected by private property rights risks after the Cowichan decision and Musqueam agreement, and
• Appointing a special committee to study every legal, constitutional, and political step that Parliament can and should take to protect private property rights in Canada.

A majority of the House of Commons has voted against the motion.

BC Conservative Leadership Race
John Rustad’s December 2025 resignation as BC Conservative leader kicked off the party’s leadership race, which is drawing to a close. In the running are Peter Milobar, Yuri Fulmer, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Iain Black, and Caroline Elliott. Starting at 6 pm Saturday, May 30, 2026, the results of the leadership race will be announced.

Consultations

Housing Starts in Relation to Federal Programs
The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities has adopted a motion to undertake at least six meetings on housing starts in relation to federal programs. The committee is inviting briefs on housing starts and federal programs, with a deadline of Thursday, June 9. 2026.

Metro Vancouver Governance Review
As part of its ongoing governance review, Metro Vancouver Regional District is offering opportunities for the public to provide input on the structure and size of its boards until Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Ease of Doing Business Consultation
Ease of Doing Business is a provincial initiative with the aim to help make doing business easier through engagement with the BC business community. Help the provincial government identify ways to make it easier to do business in BC by using the submission form to share your ideas, challenges, or suggestions. The opportunity to provide feedback through the submission portal remains open for the time being (a deadline is not available).

Please feel free to share your opinion on these consultations with BCREA via our Government Relations email address below. We are always interested in the thoughts of Advocacy Update readers.

Readings

Canada Needs a Real Housing Plan. We’re Building One.
Read more about the Missing Middle Initiative and Canada 2020’s coalition and their policy blueprint to restore middle-class housing affordability across Canada.

Government Defends Delaying Changes to the Heritage Conservation Act
Read more on the provincial government’s decision to take its time to make changes to the Heritage Conservation Act after sector objections.

More and Better Housing Canada
Read More and Better Housing Canada’s reports on what’s needed to reach 5.8 million new affordable, low-carbon, and resilient homes in this country by 2030.

Small Housing Resources
Explore Small Housing’s suite of resources, designed to inform and support gentle density ambitions.

Events

Unlocking Gentle Density: A Workshop for Homeowners
Four Pillars Community Housing CCC inc.
Thursday, May 28, 6:30-7:30 pm PDT
Online event

BCREA’s Government Relations Quarterly can be subscribed to here. Attention REALTORS^®: no need to subscribe, as you are automatically included on the distribution list! Check out the archive here.

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Brenna Friesen
Policy Analyst
Direct: 778.373.6481
Email: [email protected]