by VRBA | May 6, 2022 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
UPDATE: Re: OCP statement – “All buildings built in 2023 onward will use only low-carbon electrical energy systems.” This statement misinforms the public. The BC govt reports municipalities do not have the authority to mandate energy sources in the... read more
by VRBA | Mar 22, 2022 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data
In 2018, the BC government launched the Speculation Tax claiming “speculators” were responsible for housing shortages and rising prices. Their claim has been thoroughly debunked by ongoing low inventory and record-high prices. High prices are caused by population... read more
by VRBA | Mar 10, 2022 | Blog, Building Code
The CRD, Saanich, Central Saanich, and Victoria have launched a biased, ill-advised initiative to fast-track the BC Step Code into the highest energy efficiency levels according to a recent presentation and survey to the builder community. We wrote a letter to all CRD... read more
by VRBA | Mar 1, 2022 | Blog, Building Code, news
The BC govt launched Step Code in 2017 to boost energy efficiency in new homes. They enabled municipalities to set their own level from Step 1 to 5. We said: First launch mandatory Step Code/building envelope training via BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services... read more
by VRBA | Oct 12, 2021 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
Economies of scale is an economic principle where costs are spread out over a larger number of goods produced. An example in the housing industry is spreading construction costs over a larger number of units, such as a large multi-family project. That’s why developers... read more
by VRBA | Jul 20, 2021 | Blog, Building Code, Housing data, news
New building code regulations often fly under the radar in discussions about high housing prices. An example is the BC Step Code, an energy efficiency regulation circumventing the Canada/BC agreement to harmonize with the National Building Code. Step Code implies... read more
