Coquitlam and Port Moody submit 12 resolutions for consideration at UBCM convention, ask for policy change on housing

Both Coquitlam and Port Moody are taking some grievances to their union.

At this year’s Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention later this month, Port Moody is sending in eight resolutions, Coquitlam four. Port Coquitlam did not submit any. The convention is intended to allow local governments to band together over common issues and lobby senior levels of government for new legislation.

The resolutions focus on housing and development, with Coquitlam requesting a new development cost charges deferment program to stimulate housing, and Port Moody asking for housing to be enshrined as a human right.

Development cost charges deferment program

Cities collect development cost charges (DCCs) from developers at the time of subdivision or building permit, in order to fund the infrastructure needed to support a growing population, like park amenities. 

Given that housing starts are slowing down due to economic uncertainty, Coquitlam is contending that there is a “need for a certain degree of flexibility” to get more housing built.

The city is advocating the creation of a DCC deferment program that  provides eligible housing projects with bridge financing to time of occupancy. This would “stimulate housing across the province” while also allowing municipalities to still collect DCCs, according to the city.

Housing as a human right

Port Moody has requested that the province enshrine housing as a human right, following the federal government doing so in 2019. They say this would mean B.C.’s housing policy is “grounded in principles of equity, accessibility, accountability, and the inherent dignity of all people.” 

The city argued that in doing so, it would shift government motivations, making sure there’s affordable housing access with policies, including those that prevent homelessness.

Several other cities, from Vancouver to Burnaby, are bringing forward similar resolutions to convention.

What else do Port Moody and Coquitlam want?

Other resolutions Port Moody submitted include a resubmission requesting the province change how gambling revenues are distributed, one to address energy poverty, and to align school construction timelines with population growth targets.

Coquitlam is also requesting the province increase penalty development violations from $500 to $3,000, for more flexibility when setting a general voting day for a school trustee byelection, and to implement initiatives that offer mental health support for local elected leaders due to worsening civil discourse.

Last year, seven out of eight resolutions from the Tri-Cities were endorsed — including Port Moody’s for a local government ethics commissioner and Coquitlam’s for the province to review its consultation processes for policies affecting local governments.

The UBCM convention is scheduled for Sept. 22 to 26 in Victoria. Municipalities across the province submit resolutions to the advocacy group.