British Columbia and Canada negotiate cuts to developer fees for new housing

British Columbia’s housing minister Christine Boyle said the province is in talks with the federal government to reduce development charges in high‑growth areas. Under a partnership announced in June, the federal and provincial governments will match funds for up to ten years, providing as much as $3.2 billion to lower fees for multi‑housing projects by up to 50 percent in priority communities, while compensating municipalities for the loss of infrastructure revenue.

Boyle added that the province also plans to convert more than 2,200 unsold condominium units into affordable homes, with details expected in the fall. Municipalities have long complained about insufficient funding for roads, transit, water and parks, and the agreement aims to address those concerns without leaving local governments “holding the bag.”