Nailing down policy platforms in the midst of an election is an elusive endeavour as parties develop existing policies and announce new promises (sometimes on the fly) every day. We’ll do our best to post significant changes as new information becomes available.
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BC NDP (David Eby)
- Aims to deliver 300,000 middle-class homes over the next 10 years[5]
- Introduced legislation to allow small-scale, multi-unit housing like townhomes, triplexes, and laneway homes[6]
- Implemented measures to combat speculation, including a speculation tax and restrictions on short-term rentals[5]
- Capped annual rent increases at 3.5%[2]
- Introduced a renter’s tax credit for low and moderate-income renters[2]
BC Conservative Party (John Rustad)
- Opposes the NDP’s approach of overriding local governments on zoning and densification[8]
- Wants to work with municipalities on “pre-zoning” as part of official community plans to accelerate housing development[8][11]
- Will repeal Bill 44 which stipulates multi-unit housing targets for all municipalities [10][11]
- Proposes the “Rustad Rebate” – a tax relief plan that would provide a provincial tax deduction of up to $3,000 per month by 2029 for renters and mortgage holders[1][2]
- Focuses on building rental apartments and streamlining project permits[9]
- Plans to address labor shortages through immigration and retaining young talent[9]
- Will drop Air Bnb restrictions, allowing local governments to determine what they want in their own communities
- Promised $1 billion water and sewer infrastructure funding to municipalities over 10 years to assist with housing and densification[11]
BC Green Party (Sonia Furstenau)
- Calls for expanding eligibility for rental support programs[3]
- Proposes increasing income caps for existing rental assistance programs[3]
- Advocates for rental rate protection to limit rent increases between tenancies[3]
- Introduced legislation to protect new renters from unaffordable rent increases by applying the 3.5% rent cap to new leases[7]
Key Differences:
- Approach to local government: Rustad opposes the NDP’s “authoritarian approach” of overriding local governments, while the NDP has implemented measures to bypass some local zoning restrictions.
- Tax relief: Rustad’s signature policy is the “Rustad Rebate,” a tax deduction for housing costs, which is not matched by other parties.
- Rent control: The BC Greens advocate for stronger rent control measures, including between tenancies, while Rustad has said a Conservative government will not implement rent control policies.
- Focus: The NDP intends to increase housing supply through densification and multi-unit housing, while Rustad focuses more on streamlining processes and building rental apartments.
- Speculation: The NDP has implemented various anti-speculation measures, while Rustad has not emphasized this aspect in his housing policy.
Overall, Rustad’s approach appears to favor local control and tax relief, contrasting with the NDP’s more interventionist policies to build up new housing units, and the Greens’ emphasis on renter protections and support programs.
Citations:
[1] https://www.conservativebc.ca/john_rustad_announces_bold_rustad_rebate_plan
[2] https://globalnews.ca/news/10770015/bc-conservatives-promise-provincial-income-tax-rebate-housing/
[3] https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-green-party-rental-support-program-increase-eligibility
[4] https://islandsocialtrends.ca/densification-is-key-to-more-housing-in-bc/
[5] https://www.bcndp.ca/releases/david-ebys-action-plan-deliver-300000-middle-class-homes
[6] https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PREM0062-001706
[7] https://www.victoriabuzz.com/2024/03/bc-greens-aim-to-protect-new-renters-from-unaffordable-rent-increases/
[8] https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate/put-it-down-in-writing-eby-says-housing-specifics-needed-from-rustad-9518868
[9] https://readsitenews.com/rustad-meets-with-b-c-builders-following-political-shakeup/[10] https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/bills/billsprevious/4th42nd:gov44-1
Opposition to NDP Housing Policies
John Rustad, leader of the BC Conservative Party, has stated he would repeal several housing policies implemented by the NDP government if elected[1][2]:
- He would roll back legislation that allows 3-6 units on lots zoned for single-family homes[2].
- He opposes overriding municipal zoning control, calling it “crazy” to bypass local governments and community plans[1].
- He would repeal the NDP’s short-term rental regulations[1][2].
Rustad argues these policies don’t adequately address issues like parking, traffic, infrastructure, and community planning[1][5].
Proposed “Rustad Rebate”
Rustad has announced a tax relief plan called the “Rustad Rebate”[3]:
- It would provide a provincial tax deduction of up to $3,000 per month by 2029 for renters and mortgage holders.
- The plan would start in January 2026 with a $1,500 monthly exemption, increasing by $500 annually.
- This would amount to about $1,600-$1,700 in annual savings for the average British Columbian.
Other Housing Proposals
- Rustad supports working with municipalities on “pre-zoning” as part of official community plans to accelerate housing development[5].
- He wants to focus on managed densification and provide funding for infrastructure upgrades to support growth[5].
- The BC Conservative platform includes “cracking down on illegal money laundering that has inflated prices”[5].
Criticism and Context
- Premier David Eby has called on Rustad to provide more specifics about his housing plans[5].
- Rustad’s approach contrasts with the NDP’s more interventionist policies, favoring local government control over provincial mandates[1][5].
- Some critics argue Rustad’s policies could slow down efforts to address the housing crisis[1].
Overall, Rustad’s housing approach emphasizes local control, tax relief for renters and homeowners, and opposes the NDP’s density and zoning reforms.
Citations:
[1] https://morehousing.substack.com/p/john-rustad
[2] https://www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/news/bc-conservative-leader-rustad-promises-tax-relief-gets-grilled-on-vaccines-7550747
[3] https://www.conservativebc.ca/john_rustad_announces_bold_rustad_rebate_plan
[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/john-rustad-aug-29-2024-1.7308504
[5] https://www.biv.com/news/real-estate/put-it-down-in-writing-eby-says-housing-specifics-needed-from-rustad-9518868
[6] https://globalnews.ca/news/10769344/bc-ndp-conservatives-drugs-housing/
[7] https://globalnews.ca/news/10770015/bc-conservatives-promise-provincial-income-tax-rebate-housing/
[8] https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/20/Rustad-Zoning-Reforms-Rent-Control/
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