VRCA Urges Municipal Candidates to Address Construction Costs Ahead of Elections

📅 5 days ago

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association is challenging local candidates to commit to measures that prevent rising construction costs and delays in the Lower Mainland, as voters prepare for the upcoming municipal elections.

As voters in the Lower Mainland gear up for the municipal elections on October 17, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) is calling on candidates to clarify their strategies for mitigating additional costs and uncertainties in the construction sector. "Municipal governments may not have control over global market dynamics, but they can influence whether local fees, requirements, and processes facilitate project progress or hinder it," stated Jeannine Martin, president of the VRCA. She emphasized that when financial realities become untenable, projects do not simply become more affordable; instead, they face delays, reductions in scope, or outright cancellations, leaving communities in limbo.
The issue of construction costs is one of the key focuses of VRCA's non-partisan initiative, known as the Build Lower Mainland campaign, which also includes the pillars of Time to Build and People to Build. This campaign aims to ensure that candidates comprehend the significant challenges the construction industry is facing and the proactive measures municipalities can implement to sustain building activities in the Lower Mainland.
In its appeal to municipal candidates, the VRCA is advocating for several specific commitments: enhanced transparency and predictability regarding development cost charges (DCCs) and other fees related to projects; earlier engagement with the construction industry as a whole; improved coordination between municipalities and government levels, with advanced notifications prior to the introduction of new charges or regulations; establishment of measurable permitting standards along with public accountability for any delays; and a commitment to fair and competitive procurement processes that are accessible to qualified bidders.
Craig Larkins, VRCA’s director of advocacy, commented, "A project should not reach its completion only to find that the rules have changed, rendering the budget unfeasible. Predictability incurs minimal cost for governments, but its absence can jeopardize an entire project for the community."
The association is encouraging both voters and industry stakeholders to pose four critical questions to candidates: How will you enhance the predictability of municipal fees and charges? Will you advocate for a coordinated approach to reduce DCCs and other obstacles to construction? How will you ensure municipal procurement is equitable, competitive, and value-oriented? And will you engage with the construction sector prior to making decisions that impact project feasibility?
Larkins remarked, "Every candidate discusses the housing, infrastructure, and amenities their community requires. However, the pivotal question is whether their policies will enable these projects to be realized." The VRCA’s proactive stance aims to create a dialogue that could significantly influence the future of construction in the region, particularly as the local market navigates various challenges ahead of the elections.

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