The City of the Langford has said it is “disappointed” it will be included in the next round of housing targets soon to be announced by the province.
In a statement, the city said the decision fails to recognize its “long-standing leadership in housing development” and “unfairly penalizes a municipality that has consistently exceeded expectations.”
As one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, the city said it has already delivered a “disproportionately high share of new housing” within the Capital Region.
The municipality has spoken out following B.C.'s Housing Ministry announcement Thursday (May 29) that its housing targets have delivered 16,130 net new homes, built across 30 municipalities.
Langford is to be included in the fourth group of ‘priority communities’, which also includes Burnaby, Coquitlam, Courtenay and others.
“Targets for these communities will be set following consultation and will reflect 75 per cent of each municipality's estimated housing need,” said the ministry.
But Langford says it already has its own targets.
As well as planning for a population of 100,000 residents – nearly double its current population of approximately 58,000, it is also working towards its projected 20-year housing need of 17,000 new homes, which will accommodate approximately 42,000 new residents.
“This projection aligns with the expectations outlined in the CRD’s Regional Growth Strategy and the province’s own housing legislation,” said the city’s statement.
While also claiming they are “approving housing at record levels,” the city said it has made its own “bold moves” to address housing affordability with the Langford Attainable Home Ownership Program, launched in 2022. The program enables eligible buyers to purchase below-market condominiums in new developments, with access to a grant covering up to 75 per cent of their down payment.
“While the province continues to impose housing targets and download more costs to local government such as E-Comm 9-1-1, which increases the burden on taxpayers, Langford is delivering real, tangible solutions,” said the city spokesperson.
To support the growth of Langford, the city has challenged the province to continue supporting the services and infrastructure needed for rapid growth.
They say a request for a $1.7 million grant to fund tenant improvements for a new medical clinic with capacity for 10 doctors, in a “ready to go” space, has received “no commitment” from the province.
“Langford is the model municipality,” said the city spokesperson. “The city will continue to lead with innovation and efficiency, but long-term sustainability requires the province to invest in the infrastructure and services that support sustainable and livable communities.”
Langford is not the first municipality to recently speak out against the province.
Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the province was “micro-managing” the city after he took offence to a letter from Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon. According to Kobayashi, the minister’s letter implied the city was being given a warning after it rejected an application for 44 townhouses.
“And then, believe it or not … a cabinet minister sends us a letter telling us ‘unacceptable’ and ‘we’re watching you',” he said, giving his interpretation of the minister’s message.
Mayors in Sooke and View Royal both criticized new provincial legislation, the Infrastructure Projects Act (Bill 15), which could “strip local governments of decision-making authority."
The B.C. legislature passed Bill 15 on May 28, 47 to 46, with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote. The legislation will allow the province to expedite permitting for new schools and hospitals and fast-track resource or housing projects by deeming them “provincially significant.”
