Current B.C. policies treat private property as public assets, with top-down zoning, taxing empty properties, severe rental regulations and short-term, limited solutions.
The targeting of homeowners fails to address the overwhelming, continual growth in demand from existing and new arrivals' need for shelter. These policies don’t even rate as stop-gap measures.
It's time to ask the awkward questions: Why struggle with homeownership only to have government dictate its use? Why overwhelm neighbourhoods that are stable and working for the vast majority? Leave well enough alone. Why are market rentals not mushrooming if a shortage of shelter exists?
It’s time for new ideas, fresh governance! Carrots, not sticks.
The problem is too many people coming to already fully built desirable locations. Establish new towns away from existing stock; encourage industries and newcomers to re-establish there on favourable terms.
Convert underused government office space to accommodation. In new government builds, include public housing, even senior floors. Reward municipalities for encouraging housing; re-establish local zoning. Hopefully, we are still a democracy. Incentivize building with completion bonuses to encourage timeliness.
Consult first; then act. Central planning is a disincentive to creative solutions. It only promotes pushback. Without allowing new ideas, the next logical step for this government is confiscation or forced internal subdivision of homes or forced use of recreational space. Who would want that?
Rick Lee
Oak Bay
