Advocacy Update Archive
Stay informed with Advocacy Update, BCREA’s biweekly newsletter delivering the latest political real estate developments in BC.
Keep Up-To-Date
Advocacy Update is BCREA’s regular update on political real estate news in BC. This biweekly newsletter gives updates on government actions affecting the sector, significant actions taken by BCREA, and provides ways REALTORS® can get involved.
Find the latest edition of Advocacy Update below, or scroll to the bottom of the page to find past issues.
To stay informed and involved, please contact: [email protected].
Advocacy Update – June 26, 2025
The Province has amended regulations giving municipalities more
flexibility to finance infrastructure projects to support housing development.
News
Province and BC Hydro Pilot Program
The Province and BC Hydro have launched a pilot project in Vancouver to support the transition from single-family homes to multiplexes. The initiative is exploring how full electrification can be achieved without requiring an electrical service upgrade. At the core of this project is a smart panel developed by Burnaby-based Evectrix, which transforms a conventional breaker panel into a “smart hub” that manages real-time energy usage, in this case eliminating the need to upgrade from a 200-amp to a 400-amp service, even in an electrified six-unit development.
Expanded Municipal Borrowing Powers for Infrastructure
The Province has amended the municipal liabilities regulation and the short-term capital borrowing regulation to give municipalities more flexibility to plan and finance infrastructure projects that support population growth and housing development. Municipalities can now borrow up to ten per cent of their annual revenue, without having to hold a public vote, saving time and costs.
One BC Party Formation
A new provincial political party called One BC has emerged. The party was set up by former Conservative Party of BC Members of the Legislative Assembly, Dallas Brodie (interim leader) and Tara Armstrong. Read more about their ideas here.
BC Government Says More Oversight Coming for Dysfunctional Municipalities
Since the 2022 local elections, a number of BC municipalities have seen the mayor opposed by all or a majority of council. Because of the ongoing dysfunction, the BC government is considering major changes to the oversight of feuding city councils across the province. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Ravi Kahlon’s goal is to have more oversight in place before the next election.
Consultations
ORL / OIPC Public Consultation
Michael Harvey, Registrar of Lobbyists and Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC, is inviting the public to share what they think the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists (ORL) and Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) for BC’s priorities should be over the next three years in the areas of access to information, privacy, and lobbying. Registrar Harvey delivered presentations in cities across BC in May 2025. The deadline for written submissions is Monday, June 30, 2025.
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 deadline for submissions is Fall 2025 (an exact date has not yet been set).
Please feel free to share your opinion on these consultations with BCREA via our Government Relations email account below. We are always interested in the thoughts of Advocacy Update readers.
Readings
Canada’s Housing Supply Shortages: Moving to a New Framework
Read the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s updated Supply Gaps Estimate, which estimates that housing starts must nearly double to around 430,000 to 480,000 units per year until 2035 to meet projected demand.
Politicians vs. Millennials: The Battle for Housing Affordability
Listen to this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, where Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt highlight the struggle of middle-class individuals to afford housing, the disconnect between political messaging and the lived experiences of young Canadians, and the potential political time bomb ticking as a result of these housing frustrations.
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. Here is the latest report card from May 2025.
Small Housing Resources
Explore Small Housing’s suite of resources, designed to inform and support gentle density ambitions.
Events
2025 Union of BC Municipalities Convention
Union of BC Municipalities
September 22 – 26, 2025, Victoria Conference Centre
Victoria, BC
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BRENNA FRIESEN
Policy Analyst
778.373.6481
[email protected]
