The provincial government’s handling of Bill 44 is a glaring example of top-down governance gone wrong.
Sooke’s refusal to comply with the Dec. 16 deadline for implementing sweeping zoning changes exposes the shortcomings of a housing strategy that prioritizes urgency over practicality and fairness.
Bill 44 mandates municipalities to amend zoning laws to allow small-scale, multi-unit housing, a step toward addressing British Columbia’s housing crisis. While the intent is laudable, the execution is flawed. Sooke, a rapidly growing community already working to meet housing targets, requested a five-year extension to address critical infrastructure deficiencies impacting public health and safety. That request was denied.
The province’s decision to grant extensions to 21 other communities while rejecting Sooke raises serious questions about fairness. Larger municipalities with comparable challenges have been given until 2030 to align with the legislation. Why not Sooke? The government’s actions convey an unwillingness to acknowledge the unique circumstances faced by smaller, fast-growing communities.
The legislation’s rigid deadlines ignore the realities of infrastructure planning. Water systems, sewer upgrades, and transit enhancements cannot be rushed without jeopardizing safety and efficiency. Forcing compliance under threat of ministerial orders to override local bylaws erodes municipal autonomy and undermines public trust.
The province’s claim that Bill 44 will allow gradual implementation rings hollow when communities like Sooke are being cornered into immediate action without sufficient resources or time.
The government must recognize that housing affordability cannot be achieved by ignoring infrastructure realities or dismissing the voices of local governments. British Columbia needs a housing strategy that empowers municipalities to be partners in the solution, not adversaries.
This standoff is not just about Sooke; it reflects a larger issue with the provincial government’s approach to governance. Heavy-handed mandates will not solve complex problems. Collaboration, fairness, and respect for local expertise are the only sustainable paths forward.
