Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. municipalities want joint housing action

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Mar, 2022 01:09 PM
  • B.C. municipalities want joint housing action

VANCOUVER - The organization representing British Columbia's municipal governments says resolving the province’s affordable housing crisis is more complex than just building more homes.

A Union of B.C. Municipalities report says the data shows enough homes are being built to meet the province's growing population, but the numbers of affordable houses and rental properties are lacking.

The report comes after Housing Minister David Eby recently said municipal governments are holding up housing developments in their communities and he’s preparing to introduce legislation to remove their final project approval powers.

Union president Laurey Anne Roodenburg says in an interview there are other factors involved in limiting local housing developments beyond municipal approvals and they range from shortages of skilled workers to provincial government red tape.

She says the report calls for a more collaborative approach between local and the provincial and federal governments to build more affordable housing in B.C.

The report calls for incentives to develop affordable housing projects and a provincial rental housing strategy to increase the supply of properties for rent.

MORE National ARTICLES

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in May 2020 he was banning more than 1,500 models of firearms, including the AR-15. He also announced owners of these guns would have a two-year amnesty period to come into compliance with the prohibition.

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers
In February, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced travellers coming to Canada would be able to present a negative rapid-antigen test at the border as an alternative to a more costly and time-consuming molecular test.

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford
The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has taken conduct of the investigation. The investigation is in the early stages, but all indications are that it was targeted. The shooting does not appear to be linked to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.    

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths
On March 4, 2022, Surrey RCMP received a report of a theft of package from a residence located in 8600-block of 156 Street. Police attended and learned that a package containing items such as designer jackets, shoes, sunglasses and t-shirts was stolen.

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths

Revenue agency ramps up for tax season

Revenue agency ramps up for tax season
As the economy went into a downward spiral, with three million jobs lost and more having their hours slashed, the government pushed off the filing deadline and collection efforts. That move freed CRA officials to focus on doling out pandemic aid, and aimed to keep more cash in the pockets of Canadians to help them pay the bills.    

Revenue agency ramps up for tax season

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February
Statistics Canada says that excluding gasoline prices, the headline inflation rate would have been 4.7 per cent in February. Grocery store prices were up 7.4 per cent for the largest yearly increase since May 2009, pushed higher by rising fuel costs that are being passed on to consumers.

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February