Attainable housing is only achievable through a progressive Mayor and Council.

Kamloops, BC – The Canadian Home Builders' Association Central Interior launched a targeted awareness campaign today aimed at sparking the attention of the local voting population. The goal of the campaign is to encourage voters to do their research when deciding on candidates for Mayor and Council during the upcoming Municipal election October 15, 2022.

“Due diligence in fully understanding a mayoral and council candidates’ platform is of upmost importance in this upcoming election” says Tom Calne, in-coming President of CHBA CI. “Our city is at a state of crisis in only having 3% usable land available to build on. A progressive and forward thinking Mayor and Council who support revisions to our current zoning, will promote creative development opportunities and generate affordable housing in our region”.

The CHBA CI are the leading advocate of the residential construction industry across the interior of BC. Over the past year, members have raised growing concerns with changing efficiency requirements, lengthy permit processing timelines and extensive bylaw and re-zoning processes. These issues have a direct impact on development by impairing productivity, increasing costs and slowing the delivery of affordable homes to the market.

“Our industry is one of the most regulated sectors of our economy. The amount of “red tape” our members endure over the course of a build is dramatically impacting our ability to keep homes in our region within the financial reach of British Columbians” says Calne.

Over the course of September, CHBA Central Interior awareness campaign messages will have been spread across the region from bus benches, to billboards, social media ads to television advertisements. This is the first time the association has publicly advocated for increased awareness of development issues in a Municipal election period. The hope is that an informed electorate will encourage appropriate support for municipal changes supporting enhanced housing development.

“We urge all Kamloopsians to do their research when deciding upon who to vote for within the upcoming Municipal election” says Calne. “Mayoral and City Council candidates who support appropriate enhanced development processes will assist us in continuing to improve our communities’ economic future. Without a change in current processes, Kamloops could be heading towards a dire housing future”.

CHBA Central Interior will have an all candidate forum on October 12, 2022 at Colombo Lodge.

Media Contact: Rose Choy, Executive Officer of CHBA Central Interior

info@chbaci.ca | 250-828-1844