Advocacy Update Archive

Advocacy Update – July 9, 2026

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney
signed the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement.

News

Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney secured a multi-billion-dollar deal to fund transportation, clean energy, stronger childcare, workforce training, and to ensure protection of BC’s north coast tanker ban. The Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement creates a new long-term partnership between the federal and provincial government that centrally includes investment from the federal government to support major projects in BC, including the Fraser River Tunnel Project, the Red Chris mine expansion, and the North Coast Transmission Line.

BC Conservative Leadership and Shadow Cabinet Roles
Leader of the Conservative Party of BC Kerry-Lynne Findlay has announced the party’s leadership and shadow cabinet appointments. Below is a list of several appointments relevant to the housing sector:

• Critic for Finance: Peter Milobar

• Critic for Housing: Á’a:líya Warbus

• Critic for Infrastructure: Misty Van Popta

• Critic for Land and Property Jurisdiction: Kerry-Lynne Findlay

• Critic for Transportation: Harman Bhangu
• Critic for Water, Land, Fisheries, and Wildlife Management: Donegal Wilson
• Interim Leader of the Official Opposition: Heather Maahs
• Official Opposition House Leader: Sheldon Clare

Local Government Develop Approvals Program Funding
The provincial government has committed $9 million to help 56 local governments fast-track development approvals through the third intake of the Local Government Develop Approvals Program. The $9 million grant programs are meant to support streamlining local government development approvals for a variety of projects, such as prefabricated, modular, or standardized housing designs.

Energy Efficiency Support
Together with BC Hydro, FortisBC and Natural Resources Canada, the Province is committing to helping families with lower incomes save money on their utility costs through home-energy improvements. The Energy Conservation Assistance Program provides no-cost home-energy retrofits to lower income homeowners and tenants and is set to be expanded to a joint investment of $222 million from the federal Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, the Province, BC Hydro, and FortisBC.

Power Smart 2.0
As of Monday, July 6, 2026, customers can visit BC Hydro’s webpage to learn more about eligibility and register their email to be notified when the free smart thermostats become available in October 2026 as part of Power Smart 2.0. Through the program, residential customers with electric baseboard-heated homes will be able to order as many as five free smart thermostats (valued at approximately $350 per home), manufactured by Mysa and Sinopé, through the companies’ online platforms. The devices will include free shipping and will come pre-enrolled in BC Hydro’s Peak Saver program, allowing customers to participate once installed.

Consultations

Federal Pre-Budget 2026 Consultation
In preparation for the fall 2026 federal budget, Canadians across the country are invited to share their input on key priorities, including boosting investment and competition, strengthening Canadian sovereignty, and addressing the most pressing economic challenges facing Canadians today. Canadians can take part in the consultation process until Tuesday, September 8, 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

Koot: Why REALTORS® Matter Even More in Times of Uncertainty
Read the BC Real Estate Association’s (BCREA) CEO Trevor Koot’s exploration of the changing REALTOR® value proposition and the importance of developing the knowledge, tools, and trust necessary to navigate the lack of certainty in today’s world.

The Phantom Recovery: Vibes, Supply Shocks, and the BC Housing Market
Read BCREA’s latest Market Intelligence report break down of what’s been holding the housing market back and what needs to change in order to restore confidence and push sales activity to more historical levels.

The Runaway Train is Accelerating: A Closer Look at the Exceptional Growth in BC Municipal Spending
Read the BC Business Council’s June 2026 report detailing the swift rise in municipal operating spending between 2010 and 2026, leading to a corresponding increase in property tax inflation to almost double the national rate.

Housing Accelerator Fund: Building More Livable Communities
Read the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s summary of the Housing Accelerator Fund’s results across Canada at the two-year mark.

Small Housing Academy is Live
Explore Small Housing BC’s online training platform now open to builders, building officials, designers, and mechanical contractors. Courses focus on small-scale multi-unit housing design, gentle density, and implementation.

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.

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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If you’d like to be added to the Advocacy Update distribution list click here (BCREA Access login required), or for more information, please contact:

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