2026 Provincial Election
British Columbians go to the polls on October 24, and housing attainability remains one of the most pressing issues facing the province. Most young Canadians want to own a home: 88% of Canadians under 45 hope to one day. Yet only 29% of non-homeowners are confident they ever will. High interest rates, rising construction costs, development charges, and growing regulatory complexity are all driving up the cost of new homes. Canada will need over 2.3 million additional homes by 2035 to restore affordability, and that can’t happen without supportive policy change.
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See our full recommendations in the 2026 Policy Booklet.
CHBA BC Recommendations
Housing attainability continues to be a priority concern for many British Columbians. Home prices are still not attainable for most British Columbians due to uncertain market conditions, high interest rates, rising construction costs, development charges, and growing regulatory complexity.
CHBA BC is asking all parties in the 2026 provincial election to consider three key recommendations:
1. Reduce the cost to build homes: Expand in-stream protections, reform the municipal infrastructure funding model, and increase municipal accountability on development and amenity cost charges.
2. Take a stable, harmonized approach to step codes: Pause mandatory increases for the Energy Step Code at Step 3, limit the Zero Carbon Step Code to EL-2 by 2030, and harmonize municipal implementation.
3. Streamline approvals: Pause new requirements until the sector recovers, increase reliance on qualified professionals, and improve the one-window permitting process.
More homes mean more British Columbians with a place to call home, and more good jobs in communities across the province. CHBA BC looks forward to working with all parties to get there.
Provincial Party Platform Tracker
CHBA BC is tracking the housing affordability platform elements in each major provincial party. As campaign commitments are made and party platforms released, this tracker will be updated.
As of October 6, 2026, no parties have released official platforms.
Request Membership
As a Canadian Home Builders’ Association member, you are not alone. When you join your local affiliate Home Builders’ Association, you automatically become a member of CHBA’s 8,500-member network in British Columbia and across Canada.