Oak Bay, West Vancouver given ministry directives after failing housing supply goals
Posted May 22, 2025 12:56 pm.
B.C.’s housing minister is taking a hands-on approach with two municipalities he says aren’t effectively meeting the province’s housing goals.
In a news release Thursday, Minister Ravi Kahlon said a special advisor has helped outline new directives for Vancouver Island’s Oak Bay district and the District of West Vancouver, which are lagging behind their year one net-new housing targets.
In 2023, the province outlined targets for 10 municipalities — and many more in later months — to see more homes built as part of the Housing Supply Act.
The province says the District of West Vancouver was expected to deliver 220 net-new units in year one. It delivered 58.
The District of Oak Bay was expected to deliver 56 net-new units in year one. It delivered 16.
“Earlier this year, I appointed advisors to review a lack of progress toward issued housing targets in the districts of Oak Bay and West Vancouver. The advisors conducted a two-month review assessing each district’s steps to increasing housing supply, including development approval processes, land-use planning, and housing policies and practices,” said Kahlon.
He says the advisor’s reports identified recommendations to streamline the process, and the recommendations have turned into directives under the Housing Supply Act.
The districts are directed to amend zoning bylaws and create area plans for specific neighbourhoods, among other instructions. Oak Bay must also amend its parking bylaws to align with best practices.
“Furthermore, I encourage both districts to review all of the remaining advisor-report recommendations and provide required updates on future progress towards those recommendations,” said Kahlon, adding that both have been allowed 30 days to submit written comments on the directives before they are made official.
Kahlon says the ministry is not out to punish specific communities or remove authority from local councils.
“The goal of local housing targets is centred around working with municipalities to remove unnecessary barriers to affordability and get more homes built for people faster, and ensuring we are building healthy and economically vibrant neighbourhoods for people. “
A complete description of the directives can be found on the province’s website.
