Vancouver Charter changes proposed to help First Nations build housing

The B.C. government has proposed legislative changes it says will support reconciliation efforts in Vancouver.

Bill 11 would amend the Vancouver Charter to make it easier for xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations to build social housing on lands they own.

“Local First Nations have the potential to be a significant supplier of housing. This amendment is intended to reduce costs for First Nations and create opportunities for development, including new social housing,” the Ministry of Municipal Affairs explained Wednesday.

The amendments, if passed, would grant the Nations and First Nation corporations “the same exemptions that are applied” to the provincial, federal, and municipal governments, as well as non-profits, as they relate to Vancouver’s development cost levy and amenity cost charge.

Those charges, the ministry says, “support growing communities” but “do not apply on reserve lands within the City of Vancouver.” The legislative changes would target privately held lands that are owned by the First Nations.