BC Conservative housing plan would scrap density rules, set permit approval deadlines [Video]

The BC Conservatives fleshed out their housing platform Friday, as the provincial election campaign’s first week drew to a close.

Speaking in Surrey, Conservative Leader John Rustad said if elected his government would clear permit backlogs by overruling municipalities and granting the permits directly if cities don’t meet new approval timelines.

The deadlines would be six months for rezoning and development permits, and three months for building permits.

“Getting houses going is the key here, we need to act like it is the crisis that it is,” Rustad said.

“It’s no question in mind when talking to people about leaving this province, particularly youth, they want housing now. So we need to be able to focus on making sure we get things built in this province in a timely way.”

The Conservatives would also scrap the NDP’s Bill 44, which requires municipalities across the province to allow up to four units on a …