HAVAN   News
May 23, 2020
GRU #358
Government Relations Update #358
Mark Sakai, Director of Government Relations &
Jay Chadha, Government Relations Research Associate
Twitter: @Mark_HAVAN
I got a haircut.
COVID-19

  • When it comes to cities and COVID-19, it’s not density, it’s crowding that matters. Think they’re the same thing? Then you need to read this article.
  • Shopify CEO Toby Lutke announced that as a result of the pandemic, the organization will be moving to a permanent work from home model. Just earlier this year the company had announced a new 1,000-employee office for Vancouver which now looks to be in some jeopardy. 
  • From The Globe and Mail - The pandemic could reshape how – and where – Vancouver works. 
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the cruise ship industry, including ports like Vancouver.

METRO WEST
For Your Information

  • At Burnaby’s City Council meeting of 25 May, a report regarding ‘New Procedures for Conducting Select Committee, Commission and Board of Variance Meetings’ is on the agenda (pg. 58). Additionally there is a report on the city’s COVID-19 recovery framework which will guide the reopening of city services and operations (pg. 64).
  • On the agenda for Burnaby’s Planning and Development Committee meeting of 26 May are two reports of interest from the Director of Planning: Regulatory and Enforcement Framework for Short Term Rentals in Burnaby (pg. 31); Proposed Zoning Bylaw and Building Bylaw Amendments - Fences and Retaining Walls (pg. 50). 
  • A presentation on ‘Development and Permit Process Improvements’ is on the agenda for Vancouver’s Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities meeting of 27 May. Corresponding to the presentation there is a report on ‘Regulation Redesign - Amendments to Zoning & Development and Parking By-laws’. Additionally, there is a report on ‘Enabling Mass Timber Construction’ and Cllr. Hardwick’s motion on ‘Recalibrating the Housing Vancouver Strategy post COVID-19’ was deferred to this meeting from the city’s Standing Committee on City Finance and Services meeting of 13 May.  Seriously, Cllr. Hardwick can't actually be suggesting that the City slash its housing target in half, could she? (We all know the answer.)
  • On the agenda for Vancouver’s Council meeting of 26 May is a presentation on ‘COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts: Financial Mitigation and Restoration of City Service Plan’. Additionally, there is a staff report regarding a Sewage and Rainwater Management Plan for the city. Is there any chance that a gigantic capital plan to upgrade the City's sewer and storm water system isn't going to cost our industry a whole lot more money? Lastly, there is a motion put forward by Cllr. Fry on ‘Short Term Landlords – Long Term Protections for Renters and Hotels’.
  • A report titled ‘2019 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and Corporate Carbon Neutral Progress Report’ is on the agenda for Richmond’s City Council meeting of 25 May (pg. 25).  
NORTHEAST SECTOR
For Your Information

  • A report on ‘COVID-19 Economic Development Response and Recovery Action Plan’ is on the agenda for Coquitlam’s Regular Council meeting of 25 May. 
  • Amendments to the Fire & Emergency Services Bylaw to permit the use of outdoor gas appliances are up for discussion at Port Coquitlam’s Committee of Council meeting of 26 May. 
  • Two topics of interest are up for discussion at Port Moody’s Climate Action Committee meeting of 25 May: Climate Action Amid COVID-19 and Climate Action Plan Update. 
  • On the agenda for Port Moody’s Special Council meeting of 26 May is a report on ‘Corporate Policy for Electronic Meeting Participation Requirements’ (pg. 125) Also, there is a report regarding the ‘Tall Wood Early Adoption Initiative’ as the city further expresses their interest in participating in this provincial initiative (pg. 180). 
  • A report on ‘City of Pitt Meadows Official Community Plan Review - Proposed Timeline Options in Response to COVID-19 Crisis’ is on the agenda for Pitt Meadows’ Regular Council meeting of 26 May. Also, there is a report regarding the ‘North Lougheed Study Area Revised Land Use Concept and Accompanying Policies’. 
SOUTH OF FRASER
For Your Information

  • The following topics are on the agenda for Surrey’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting of 27 May: Climate Emergency; Tree Protection Bylaw; City-Wide Forest Management Strategy. The instructions on how to attend the meeting are on the bottom of the agenda.
  • On the agenda for Delta’s Regular Council meeting of 25 May is the city’s 2019 Climate Action Report (Item F.07).
  • A report on ‘Procedures for Conducting Electronic Public Hearings and Advisory Design Panel Review’ is on the agenda for White Rock’s Regular Council meeting of 25 May.
  • At Langley City’s Regular Council meeting of 25 May, a report by the Economic Development Task Group on a - ‘Langley City Economic Restart Action Plan’ is on the agenda. Notably, the report mentions expediting the development and building permit process as one of the actions (pg. 106). Also, there is a report on ‘Conducting Electronic Public Hearings Under Ministerial Order M139’ (pg. 129).
NORTH SHORE
For Your Information

  • On the agenda for North Vancouver City’s Regular Council meeting of 25 May is a report on ‘Pandemic Scenario Planning: Impacts and Actions’ (pg. 93). Also, there is a presentation by the Director of Planning on the same topic. 

REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL
For Your Information

  • The following reports are on the agenda for Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors meeting of 29 May: Updating the Regional Growth Strategy: A Proposed Response in Light of COVID-19 (pg.12); Low Carbon Economic Stimulus Funding in Response to COVID-19 (pg. 348). 
  • For the life of me, I don’t understand why Douglas Todd still has a job. Here is his latest bit of uninformed NIMBY-dog-whistle.
  • The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program will open for applications starting 25 May.
RENOVATIONS
For Your Information

  • There was much talk about energy retrofits at last week's Building Electrification Road Map Focus Group session. I would like to spend some time chatting with some of our renovator members about the opportunities and challenges of fuel-switching space heating and domestic hot water systems in our existing housing stock.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
For Your Information
EVERYTHING ELSE
For Your Information

  • CHBA BC is looking for feedback on how COVID-19 has economically affected your business. You can provide your input by completing their Economic Impact Survey.
  • Is this a preview of the non-contact, post-COVID-19 world of sports? Coming soon to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver! 

HAVAN, through its Director of Government Relations, works with Metro Vancouver local governments on important public policy issues, including pending and existing regulations which impact the home building industry. Non-partisan policy analysis and strategic consultation is provided in a collaborative approach in order to efficiently deliver to market the required supply of homes to support Metro Vancouver's 21 municipalities. Working with HAVAN members and industry stakeholders, to build and maintain positive relations with municipal, regional and provincial governments, HAVAN is the respected voice of Metro Vancouver's residential construction industry.
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