Advocacy Update Archive

Advocacy Update – October 8, 2026

BCREA has launched its 2026 Provincial Election webpage, detailing four issues of organizational concern that we would like to see addressed by the next BC Government.

News

The news below is current as of Thursday, October 8, 2026, 12 pm PCT.

BC NDP Housing Announcement
On the campaign trail, one announcement has dominated the housing-related headlines: BC NDP Leader David Eby, promised that if the BC NDP is re-elected, the government will implement a new unsold condo tax, starting at 2 per cent and increasing by an additional 1 per cent each subsequent year for condos that have been vacant for a year. Additionally, he announced a plan to increase the Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT) on Canadian and foreign investors by 1 per cent. Refer to the “Readings” section below for sectoral responses to this controversial announcement.

BC Green Housing Announcement
Thus far on the campaign trail, the BC Greens have focused their housing announcements on protecting renters and affordable housing. Leader Emily Lowan promised to reinstate the Community Housing Fund that was scrapped in the last BC NDP budget. Additionally, she called for a vacancy control that would tie allowable rent increases to units, not individual tenants. The party also announced their plans to end pet bans in rental units, a policy previously proposed by the BC NDP.

Federal Retrofit Investment
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $2 billion investment to deliver one million home retrofits across Canada. First, the federal government plans to launch a new National Heat Pump Rebate to help up to 820,000 households by lowering the up-front cost of purchasing an electric heat pump for eligible households and speeding up approvals. Second, the government promises to help apartment building owners retrofit 280,000 units over the next 8 years by providing more affordable financing for retrofits, unlocking investment in apartment buildings, and supporting building owners with the renewal of the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative.

BCREA 2026 Provincial Election Webpage
The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) has launched its 2026 Provincial Election webpage, which provides a list of housing-related questions for candidates in this election and details four issues of organizational concern that we would like to see addressed by the next BC Government. BCREA recommends a thorough review of all real estate and housing-related taxes, the establishment of a permanent provincial housing policy roundtable, a comprehensive review of the Strata Property Act, and measures to unlock BC’s prefabricated housing potential.

BC Property Connect
The Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) of British Columbia has launched BC Property Connect, a new service that allows property owners to create a secure, digital connection between themselves and their property. Once a property is added to an account, owners will be able to receive title notifications along with property-activity-related insights and deadline reminders, all in one centralized space. With better access to property information, property owners can stay up to date, act quickly, and make more informed decisions. Explore the LTSA’s BC Property Connect Information Guide for REALTORS^® and an upcoming informational webinar series is detailed below.

Consultations

BCFSA Proposed Fee Review Framework
The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) is seeking feedback on a proposed Fee Review Framework Discussion Paper. The proposed framework is intended to establish a clear, predictable, and transparent process for reviewing regulatory fees across all BCFSA-regulated industries. It includes annual cost-based reviews and comprehensive reviews at least every five years to help ensure fees remain aligned with regulatory activities and continue to support effective regulation. You can provide feedback by completing BCFSA’s Feedback Form and / or emailing [email protected]. The engagement will run until Friday, October 16, 2026.

Inquiries on Impacts of US Tariffs on BC Industry
The BC Government is seeking feedback as part of their efforts to defend British Columbians and BC industries against the threat of US tariffs and countervailing tariff measures. They are looking for your feedback on how US tariffs impact your business and any other questions or suggestions you may have. No deadline for this consultation is available. Read more and share your insights here.

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

BC Election: Will New Taxes Improve Affordability?
Read BCREA Senior Policy Analyst Matt Mayers’ analysis on why the NDP’s SVT and empty condo tax proposals are likely to make new housing more difficult to finance and build.

The Answer to an Unsold Home Is a Buyer: CHBA BC Responds to Proposed Unsold Condo Tax
Read the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC (CHBA BC)’s open letter outlining why the proposed unsold condo tax’s addition of costs to homes misses the mark for improving housing affordability.

When Served with Tariff Lemons, Let’s Make Housing Lemonade
Read the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President Mathieu Laberge’s analysis, suggesting that tariffs on Canadian lumber and transformed wood products could create an opportunity to build some homes more affordably.

Small-Scale Infill, Big Impact: How it Adds to Housing Supply in Canada
Read CMHC’s analysis which finds that while small-scale infill is becoming a more important source of housing supply, how much it adds will depend on zoning changes and financial viability.

Events

BC Property Connect Series
Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia
October 14, 2026, 11 am – 12 pm PT
November 19, 2026, 2 – 3 pm PCT
Online Webinars

2026 Housing Central Conference
Aboriginal Housing Management Association, BC Non Profit Housing Association, and Co-operative Housing Federation of BC
November 16 – 18, 2026, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
Vancouver, BC

2026 General Local Elections
Administered by Local Governments
General Voting Day: October 17, 2026
Advanced Voting Dates Differ by Municipality

2026 Provincial General Election
Administered by Elections BC
General Voting Day: October 24, 2026, 8 am – 8 pm (PT)
Advanced Voting Dates: October 16 – 21, 2026, 8 am – 8 pm (local time) 

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]