CHBA Central Interior Advocates for Housing Affordability in Ottawa

Last week, Chris Crowell (President), Brian Charlton (Cranbrook), Matt McCurrach CHBA National Past President and Rose Choy (Executive Officer), traveled to Ottawa to represent our region at CHBA’s annual advocacy event, Day on the Hill.

On Tuesday, February 10, CHBA leadership and delegates from across Canada met with Ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior federal officials to advance practical federal solutions aimed at increasing housing supply and protecting affordability.

Delegates participated in 84 meetings, with a total of 91 engagements including CHBA’s evening reception.

Key Advocacy Priorities Delivered

CHBA focused on clear, actionable measures that would have immediate impact on affordability and supply, including:

• Lowering taxes to improve affordability and get the market moving, including expanding GST relief and following through on Development Charge relief.
• Eliminating the mortgage stress test on uninsured mortgages and making it dynamic on insured mortgages.
• Investing in housing-supportive infrastructure, with federal funding tied directly to housing outcomes.
• Reducing municipal red tape and permitting delays that slow housing delivery.
• Pausing additional cost increases through building code changes and prioritizing affordability within the National Building Code.
• Supporting renovation measures, including tax credits and GST rebate eligibility.
• Addressing labour shortages through workforce development and improved immigration pathways for residential construction.
• Supporting productivity and innovation, including factory-built housing and sector transition investment.

These recommendations are part of CHBA’s national housing campaign, Unlocking the Door to Homeownership, which outlines practical federal solutions to restore attainable homeownership and increase supply across Canada.

President Chris Crowell and Executive Officer Rose Choy met with Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s Secretary of State (Procurement & Defense)	President Chris Crowell and Executive Officer Rose Choy met with Brad Vis, MP for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon	Brian Charlton, CHBA CI Cranbrook member and CHBA National Treasurer, met with Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing.

President Chris Crowell and Executive Officer Rose Choy met with Dan Albas, MP for Central Okanagan	Matt McCurrach, CHBA National Past President, met with Wayne Long, MP for Saint John—Kennebecasis and Secretary of State for the CRA and Financial Institutions.	Matt McCurrach, CHBA National Past President, met with Scott Aitchison, Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing

For more information, please contact:

Rose Choy, Executive Officer
Canadian Home Builders' Association Central Interior
Phone: 250-828-1844
Email: info@chbaci.ca

Website: www.chbaci.ca

About the Canadian Home Builders' Association Central Interior (CHBA CI)

The CHBA CI is dedicated to advocating for and educating the residential construction industry in the Central Interior of British Columbia. Our mission is to support our members by providing resources, networking opportunities, and industry updates to ensure their success and growth in the ever-evolving construction landscape.