Question to the BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists regarding registration not found, in regard to what appears to have been lobbying (by standard use in the English language), of the Province in regard to appointing housing advisors for municipalities.

Question to the BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists regarding registration not found, in regard to what appears to have been lobbying (by standard use in the English language), of the Province in regard to appointing housing advisors for municipalities.

The Urban Development Institute (UDI) is a registered lobbying organization on the BC Lobbyists Registry, that served as an advisor to the Province on the Housing Supply Act (Bill 43), in particular the housing targets for municipalities, something that was was in accord with the UDI’s agenda that it had lobbied the Province on, on numerous occasions. Only one one notable registration of lobbying activity hasn’t turned up in this regard, and that is in regard to the Province appointing housing advisors for municipalities. Yet one letter to the Province by the UDI appears to have done exactly that (at least as far as the English language is concerned, the Province may differ). The Province recently appointed housing advisors to the District of Oak Bay, and to West Vancouver.

By Sasha Izard
Feb 21, 2025

Document cover obtained by a Freedom of Information Request.

On Feb 16, 2025, I wrote to the BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists (BCORL), the following email:

Hello BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists,

A letter from the Urban Development Institute (UDI) dated to the Ministry of Housing dated March 30, 2023 made recommendations in regard to an advisor should they be appointed in regard to the “Forthcoming Housing Supply Act Regulations” as it is put in the letter (below on the 2nd page under the heading “Advisor Qualification”).

I am wondering where this registration in regard to this is, as I cannot find it on UDI’s lobbying registrations.

Please let me know where I can find it.

Thank you,
Sasha Izard

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On Feb 21, 2025, the BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists (BCORL) responded:

Good Afternoon Sasha Izard,

Thank you for your email. Please accept this as confirmation it has been received.

Please be aware that, as per section 7.92 of the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA), we are unable to comment on whether an investigation or a hearing will be conducted in relation to the information you have provided:

Restrictions on disclosure of information by the registrar and staff

7.92 (1) Except as provided under this section, the registrar and anyone acting for or under the direction of the registrar must not disclose

(a) whether an investigation or a hearing is being conducted under this Act, or

(b) any information or record obtained in conducting an investigation or a hearing under this Act.

For your reference, the Registration Return for Urban Development Institute (UDI) can be viewed here: https://www.lobbyistsregistrar.bc.ca/app/secure/orl/lrs/do/vwRg?cno=3004&regId=56577265#regStart

To review all of the Lobbying Activity Reports submitted by UDI, you can click either of the numbers located under the heading “Associated Lobbying Activity Reports” (screenshot below):

Alternatively, you can perform an Advanced Search of the Registry and narrow the search parameters for “Lobbying Activity Reports” and “Organization Name” (screenshot below):

I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a restriction on the application of the Lobbyists Transparency Act (LTA) set out under section 2(2)(c), which states:

2(2) This Act does not apply in respect of an oral or written submission made as follows:

…

(c) made to a public office holder by an individual on behalf of a person or organization in direct response to a written request from a public office holder for advice or comment on any matter referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of “lobby” in section 1 (1);

Additional information/guidance on section 2(2)(c) follows:

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I did follow the BCORL’s recommendation regarding an advanced registry search though. I searched for under organization name “Urban Development Institute” and details of subject matter “advisor”, although nothing turned up. Yet the UDI’s letter shown previously, clearly shows the UDI making recommendations in regard to an advisor to municipalities.

The subject of that letter was “Re: Housing Supply Act Regulations Discussion Follow-up”

I emailed the BCORL, the following:

Hello BCORL,

I used an advanced registry search in regard to Urban Development Institute and detail of subject matter “advisor”. Nothing was found: