Metro Vancouver mayors call for province to rollback housing legislation amid concerns about eroding autonomy

After two years of voicing their concerns to the province about the speed and scale of its housing policies, a group of 16 Metro Vancouver mayors are officially calling for the province to repeal legislation that requires municipalities to allow at least four units on single-family lots and heavily increase zoning around transit hubs.

In a letter sent to Premier David Eby on Nov. 28 by Mike Hurley, Burnaby mayor and Metro Vancouver board chair, the mayors argue that Bills 44 and 47, both passed in 2023, were introduced with “limited co-ordination and consultation” with local governments and are misaligned with local land use, regional planning and infrastructure capabilities.

“Provincewide mandates do not reflect the local planning frameworks, geographic characteristics or market realities,” said the mayors in the letter, explaining that “compressed implementation timelines have diverted staff capacity away from locally tailored housing initiatives.”

They also warned that many municipalities don’t have enough money to build the water and sewer infrastructure needed to supply new housing or to expand transportation and community infrastructure such as roads, parks, playgrounds and community centres.

As for the housing targets imposed by Bill 44 on 30 municipalities so far, the letter states that they “hold municipalities accountable for factors outside their control” such as the real estate market and broader economic conditions.

West Vancouver and Oak Bay have both been provided housing advisers by the province with the threat that they could lose autonomy over housing approvals if they don’t improve the number of units being constructed.

“Over the past three years, Metro Vancouver municipalities have communicated our concerns about the impact of provincial legislation both individually and collectively,” said the mayors.

“We believe it is necessary to reiterate our concerns and respectfully request that the province initiate a consultation on any legislative amendments affecting Metro Vancouver municipalities and on future legislation that will address the needs outlined in this letter.”

Along with Hurley, signatories of the letter include Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Delta Mayor George Harvie, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward, Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy, District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little, Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti and White Rock Mayor Megan Knight.

Some leaders of smaller municipalities in the region that signed on include Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald, Anmore Mayor John McEwen, Lions Bay Mayor Ken Berry and Belcarra Mayor Jamie Ross.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone, City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan, City of Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal and Bowen Island Mayor Andrew Leonard declined to sign on.

Hurley said in a notice to Burnaby residents last week that the final straw that led to the letter was the introduction of the Professional Reliance Act by NDP MLA George Anderson in the legislature this fall, would prevent municipalities from being able to peer review technical submissions for developments.

He said that the passing of such a bill would further erode democratic governance and the ability of local voices to have a say on development.

“Our collective message is simple: stop trying to control cities. Give us the space and support to plan properly, and we will deliver more affordable housing,” said Hurley.

“These bills have created confusion, division, and real challenges for cities trying to plan growth responsibly.”

In a written response to the mayors sent Dec. 9, Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle said there is no plan to repeal the legislation. In fact, she argued that it is working to bring down rents, increase vacancy rates and improve housing options for people across the province.

At the same time, she cited the $1 billion Growing Communities Fund unveiled in spring 2024 as a way the province is helping municipalities handle the increased infrastructure costs that come with the increase in housing construction.

“Before our government brought forward Bills 44 and 47, many neighbourhoods were zoned almost exclusively over time to build primarily expensive single-detached homes and highrise condo towers,” said Boyle.

“This type of housing is out of reach financially or does not meet the needs of many households including front-line workers, young families and seniors.”

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