Vernon, B.C. city council passes motion to keep housing permitting powers local

Vernon was reacting to comments made by David Eby, B.C.'s Minister Responsible for Housing, about limiting local government permitting power.

Vernon, B.C., city council passed a motion this week, pushing back against the B.C. provincial government’s suggestion that limiting local permitting power may help address the housing crisis.

The motion calls for Vernon’s mayor to write to the province and request municipalities retain their current powers when it comes to housing.

Vernon was reacting to comments made by David Eby, B.C.’s Minister Responsible for Housing, in February.

“We do see some areas where municipalities are simply refusing to approve necessary housing,” said Eby, last month.

“What we want to do is get to a place where municipalities have the opportunity to say where the housing should go, what it should look like, but not whether or not it goes ahead.”

However, many Vernon politicians argued limiting local control would defeat the purpose of having local government.

Anderson, who originally brought the motion to council, argued limiting local input is necessary in Vernon.

“There is no situation, that I can think of, where we have said no to a provincial initiative,” said Anderson.