Advocacy Update Archive

Advocacy Update – August 20, 2026

Premier David Eby has announced three changes to cabinet following
Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey’s decision to take a leave.

News

Provincial Government Cabinet Shuffle
Premier David Eby has announced three changes to cabinet following Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey’s decision to take a leave for treatment and recovery from early-stage, treatable cancer. She will begin leave in late August 2026 and expects to return to work in early October 2026. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix will cover Minister Bailey’s portfolio while she’s on leave. The following appointments took effect on Friday, August 14, 2026:

• Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
• Josie Osborne, Minister of Finance
• Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Health

Provincial Budget 2027 Consultation Report
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has released the Report on the 2027 Budget Consultation. After 16 public consultations held in 12 communities across the province, the committee compiled a collection of 81 recommendations to the Minister of Finance for the 2027 provincial budget, which will be released in mid-February 2027. The six major real estate and market housing-related recommendations are as follows:

• Prioritize investment in attainable housing by expanding financing programs, including access to low-cost construction financing, and temporarily freezing the BC Energy Step Code at Level 3 throughout the province to encourage new housing development.
• Provide increased funding for local infrastructure and community amenities necessary to enable and accelerate housing development, including water and sewer systems, transportation networks, schools, parks, and community facilities.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of the Strata Property Act and amend the Act to mandate training for strata owners and council members.
• Revise recent changes to the property tax deferment program and ensure that any changes target those abusing the program.
• Review BC’s business tax and regulatory framework, and reduce the small business tax rate to improve the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises relative to other jurisdictions.
• Repeal the planned Provincial Sales Tax expansion to professional services to simplify and streamline taxation systems.

Federal Pender Harbour Transit Funding
The federal government has announced more than $175,000 through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund to help maintain and expand community transit services for rural and remote communities in Pender Harbour, on the Sunshine Coast. These investments are anticipated to provide safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options for seniors, persons with disabilities, Indigenous residents, and other vulnerable populations.

Provincial Northern and Central Transit Funding
Passenger-shuttle operators serving central and northern BC can apply for as much as $75,000 in operating funding through the Northern Community Shuttle program, funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and administered by Northern Development. The Northern Community Shuttle program provides operating funding for eligible costs, including fuel, staff wages and benefits, insurance, maintenance, marketing, and booking services.

Build Canada Homes Inaugural Chair
The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, announced the appointment of Evan Siddall as inaugural Chair of the Board of Directors of Build Canada Homes. Mr. Siddall is the former CEO of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Vice-Chair of BMO Capital Markets. Build Canada Homes is Canada’s new federal agency that is building affordable, primarily non-market homes, supporting builders with financing, and encouraging innovative building methods using Canadian products and practices.

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.

Federal Financing Measures to Support the Supply of Housing for Owners and Renters
The federal government is seeking to understand whether, and to what extent its housing finance interventions to support new homebuilding should adjust to respond to the evolving market reality around homeownership and rental. Input can be submitted through an online survey portal until Friday, September 25, 2026.

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

Finance Critic Peter Milobar leaving BC Conservative Caucus to Sit as Independent MLA
Read Katie DeRosa’s overview of Peter Milobar’s decision to leave the BC Conservative Party.

Housing Minister says BC in Talks with Ottawa Over Cutting Development Cost Charges
Read Wolfgang Depner’s report from an interview with Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle discussing the provincial and federal government’s progress on cutting development costs in high-growth areas, while compensating municipalities.

Building Smarter: Off-site Construction, Prefabrication and Modular Development
Read the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ guide designed to help Canadian municipalities to understand and evaluate off-site construction, prefabrication, and modular development.

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

2026 Union of BC Municipalities Convention
Union of BC Municipalities
September 14 – 18, 2026, Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, BC

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