British Columbia’s Housing Minister, Christine Boyle, has expressed optimism about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent announcement regarding the construction of additional housing on federal lands. While Boyle considers this initiative a positive step, she has noted that no projects in British Columbia are currently included in the plan.
Prime Minister Carney revealed plans for the establishment of the Build Canada Homes agency, which aims to oversee the construction of 4,000 homes across six federally owned sites. Despite the absence of B.C. projects in this initial phase, Boyle emphasized the province’s readiness with numerous affordable housing initiatives. She eagerly awaits news on which projects will secure federal funding in the future.
Transitioning from her previous role as Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to her current position as Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Boyle expressed satisfaction in seeing surplus federal lands repurposed for housing developments. Recognizing the nationwide challenge of affordable housing, Boyle reiterated her commitment to collaborating with federal counterparts to address long-term solutions for British Columbia.
While federal properties available for housing development only list three sites in B.C., including two in Metro Vancouver and one in Vernon, Boyle remains proactive in advocating for housing projects within the province.