The BC Conservatives have unveiled their plan to address the housing shortage and affordability crises in the province.Leader John Rustad vowed to not only build more homes, but ensure that those homes are surrounded by communities worth living in.The plan would tackle issues at every step along the way, from bureaucratic delays in the approval process to a lack of shops and services near new developments. "The NDP talks about building homes, but their policies have made it impossible," Rustad said in a press release. "We will cut the red tape, streamline approvals, and get BC building again."It currently takes years for some permits to be approved. The Conservatives vowed to reduce that to months, adding that the province would step in if officials at the municipal level fail to act within that time frame.Rustad also noted that the NDP's Step Code policy and Net-Zero mandate were responsible for an increase in construction costs, making it clear that Conservatives would "repeal these hidden taxes that make it so expensive to build in BC while doing nothing for safety or livability.""Building homes isn’t enough," he continued. "We need to build communities that people can live in, work in, and enjoy." Under the Conservatives' plan, Bill 47 would be amended to ensure new developments allocate space for shops and services "within walking distance of homes."Rustad suggested certain areas of the province were maxed out, and that developers should have access to land outside the Agricultural Land Reserve to start fresh."BC has the land, but the NDP refuses to use it," he lamented. "We will unlock this potential and build beautiful new towns to end the housing shortage."The Conservatives pushed for a policy that would work more closely with cities to construct housing that works within the local context. Also proposed was the creation of a Civic Infrastructure Renewal Fund that would provide $1 billion per year to municipalities that permit small-scale, multi-unit housing on at least 66% of residential land. "Our plan is about real accountability and real solutions to the housing crisis," Rustad concluded. "We will get BC building again, restore affordability, and make sure that all British Columbians have the chance to own a home and thrive."
