Cadreb Leadership Advocates for Housing Solutions in Victoria

From March 9-11, 2025, Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (Cadreb) President Emily Vernon, Government Relations Chair Robert Lacerte, and Executive Officer Stephen Lerigny traveled to Victoria to participate in the British Columbia Real Estate Association’s (BCREA) Government Liaison Days (GLDays). This annual event brings together real estate professionals and government officials to discuss key issues affecting the housing market.

During their visit, Cadreb representatives met with local MLAs Heather Maahs & Áʼa꞉líya Warbus, as well as BC Premier David Eby, to address pressing concerns in the real estate industry. Two critical topics discussed were the creation of a Permanent Provincial Housing Policy Roundtable and the need for a comprehensive Housing Taxation Review.

Advocating for a Permanent Housing Roundtable

Cadreb and BCREA emphasized the need for a permanent provincial housing policy roundtable, which would bring together key stakeholders—including builders, developers, REALTORS®, municipal planners, and government officials—to provide expert consultation on housing policy before new measures are implemented. This initiative aims to prevent policy missteps, streamline housing development, and ensure that affordability measures are both effective and practical​. (BCREA, 2025)

Reevaluating Housing Taxes

Another major focus of the discussions was the impact of various housing-related taxes on affordability. The BC Home Flipping Tax, Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT), and Property Transfer Tax (PTT) have all contributed to increasing housing costs, despite their intended purpose of curbing speculation. The delegation urged the government to:

• Conduct a full review of the Property Transfer Tax, including adjusting its thresholds to better reflect modern home prices. (BCREA, 2025)
• Reevaluate the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, ensuring it does not duplicate existing federal measures like the Underused Housing Tax. (BCREA, 2025)
• Repeal the BC Home Flipping Tax, as economic analysis suggests it has little effect on affordability but may discourage housing turnover​​. (BCREA, 2025)

Looking Ahead

Cadreb remains committed to working with policymakers to find solutions that enhance housing supply and affordability while maintaining a strong real estate market. By fostering open dialogue and advocating for evidence-based policies, the organization continues to be a voice for REALTORS® and homebuyers across British Columbia.