Bill M216 has been undergoing inspection in committees, and is expected to re-emerge with some minor tweaks for consideration by the legislature this spring.
George Anderson, Nanaimo-Lantzville ML
By Mark MacDonald, Business Examiner
NANAIMO – Quietly percolating behind the scenes, a Special Committee is examining the Professional Reliance Act and the public consultation results for the legislation put forward by Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson that aims to reduce the time and expense of building homes in British Columbia.
Known as Bill M216, the Act was introduced in the legislature in October, and has been greeted with cheers from the B.C. construction industry and related professionals, who view it as an attempt to streamline development procedures and end duplication of professional services, thereby reducing costs to build, and to consumers. Affordable housing advocates are as well.
And jeers from predictable assailants – civic politicians and bureaucrats. They claim that if adopted, the Act will eliminate local oversight, and have pushed back hard on that basis to maintain the status quo, which is frequently identified as one of the key time consuming elements – and because time is money – that contribute to the higher cost of homes.
Bill M216 has been undergoing inspection in committees, and is expected to re-emerge with some minor tweaks for consideration by the legislature this spring.
At its introduction, the bill explained that “It allows local governments to accept certified work from licensed professionals: engineers, architects, and others regulated under the Professional Governance Act so that projects can move forward faster, without sacrificing safety, quality, or accountability.
“This legislation strengthens local governments by freeing up their staff to focus on planning, community engagement, and long-term vision, while reducing duplication and costs.”
Anderson has been surprised by some of the pushback by some municipalities.
“As a former City Councillor and Regional District Director, I have tremendous respect for the work local governments undertake to provide the essential services of our community,” he notes. “Any time a proposed change occurs there will be questions and concern. But the single biggest thing that I see is that the push back challenges the status quo. And when the status quo is slowing housing, making it more difficult for seniors to downsize, or young people to find their first home, challenging the status quo is exactly what leadership requires.”
Anderson expounds that the “bill states where a professional, such as an engineer or architect submits their work, we should trust them. Should an issue arise, then let liability rest with the professionals. Local governments should be spending citizens’ dollars on building sidewalks, purchasing parkland, and keeping up with infrastructure, rather than spending money on legal fees.”
Anderson also believes some of the opposition has come from lawyers.
“The only individuals who should be against this bill are lawyers, for the fact they may have less clients and the banks who stand to make millions through interest gained through the delay of approvals,” he notes.
Bill M216 is currently being examined by the Special Committee to Review Private Members’ Business, and Anderson is meeting with the Committee next week to present on the bill and proposed amendments.
Anderson has been doing what he can to alleviate concerns.
“I have met with the President of UBCM and Executive Director of UBCM, local governments, unions, professionals, regulators, engineers, and affordable housing groups in good faith to ensure our province is delivering results for British Columbians,” he says. “Some have chosen to engage with me others have not. I brought this bill because I kept hearing the same thing from communities, builders, and local government: the system is overloaded, and delays are making housing more expensive and harder to deliver.
“Even though engineers and architects, who are insured for the purposes of protecting the public interest, complete technical work and that same work is reviewed again by overstretched municipal staff. This bill doesn’t change any safety standards, what it does is unnecessary duplication so good projects can move forward quickly and predictably.”
What he’s found in his discussions with industry, labour, local governments and communities has led him to suggest amendments.
“The goal for me has never been about writing a bill and seeing it pass without amendment. That isn’t strong leadership,” he states. “This bill has evolved through good faith engagement, because strong leadership isn’t about holding the line, it’s about delivering results that people can trust. I was elected to deliver results for British Columbia, so for me amending the bill is not a concession. It is the job I was elected to do.”
