NDP Housing Minister and North Delta MLA Ravi Kahlon says cities like Delta are doing things the ‘right way’ when it comes to revising Official Community Plans (OCPs) and meeting housing targets.
Speaking to the Optimist on Monday, Kahlon clarified what the province is requiring municipalities to complete as the province continues to address the housing crisis.
Q: What is required to be completed by cities with regards to OCPs?
A: Legislation requirements say that local governments must allow for small-scale, multi-housing units as well as identifying designated bylaws for transit-oriented areas by June 30. We have asked all local governments by the end of the year to update their housing needs reports. By law, all communities by Dec. 31, 2025, must have their OCPs and zoning bylaws updated.
Q: Concerns have been expressed by residents about the timeline to complete Delta’s OCP being rushed. What are your thoughts on this?
A: From the provincial side we are certainly urging local governments to update their OCPs and zoning bylaws as soon as possible because we know the housing needs are great within our communities across the province. The legislation has deadlines in place, but we know many communities are getting their OCPs and bylaws done. Kelowna has just gone to council with their OCP. Delta is having this conversation. Many communities are going through this process. Some are ahead of the game because their staff is working overtime and some are a little slower and may be at the end of the year, but I suspect most communities around the province with have their OCPs updated by the end of the year. This is an important process. I attended one of the information sessions. I certainly have been following a lot of the discussions online. My family attended many of the information sessions and they really appreciated the mayor showing up and taking questions from individuals in North Delta. The challenge for local governments is you have some who are opposed, but you also have many people who understand that we need housing in our communities, so that’s the balance cities must find.
Q: As MLA for North Delta, what is the feedback you are getting with regards to Delta’s OCP process?
A: There are some people who have concerns around towers. There is an understanding that we have to allow small-scale, multi-unit. I have heard from some people who are upset that there are no public hearings for some projects. My response to that is always the same: any project that fits with what the community plan says should not have a public hearing. A lot of people are supportive because they understand the need for housing. If we don’t find ways to cut some of the red tape, we won’t be able to build the housing that is so desperately needed in our communities. Whether we want our community to change or not, it has been changing for 40 years. The building structures perhaps haven’t been changing, but who can afford to live in our community has been changing that entire time. A sign of a healthy community is when we have kids and families growing up and staying in our communities. I have too many peers who are struggling to find housing, so I just feel the urgency and the need to provide that type of housing.
Q: Overall, is Delta on the right track with its OCP process?
A: Delta is taking the housing crisis seriously. I told the mayor that although I appreciate the work they are doing, now that we have introduced legislation, that Delta creates a policy around tenant displacement as well as some inclusionary zoning policies so that we can ensure there are affordable units being built, especially in our bigger projects. This will address housing and affordable housing. I think those are important pieces we need to move forward.
