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Letter to Housing Minister Boyle and NDP MLAs regarding the committee on Bill M216



Letter sent on March 26, 2026
by Peter van der Velden



Dear Mrs. Boyle and NDP member MLAs:

88% of responses to your committee, were negative. It’s quite clear that the 12% supporting this legislation are people/groups that stand to benefit from this legislation (financially-in no way will this improve the housing situation or make housing more affordable). 

The way this legislation was introduced through an independent member with FULL support from every NDP MLA indicates that the government wants this legislation passed. No matter how unpopular it is from both the public and civic governments throughout the province. It is an embarrassment that the committee has moved it forward with only minor tweaking.

This is a major piece of legislation that SHOULD have gone through the approvals processes and consultations that a government bill is subject to. Including actual consultation with private and public stakeholders. The fact that this is not the method chosen by this government speaks volumes about your respect for the community that elected you. 

Let’s make this absolutely clear; this legislation is driven by commercial stakeholders. The language for the bill mirrors that of the Urban Development Institute and is supported by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Public discourse and input has been all but negated. This is how legislation is developed and passed in the United States not Canada. 

This is not the NDP party we voted for. Please, please make sure this bill fails and something more positive and acceptable takes its place.

Peter van der Velden
Tsawwassen

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See also:

Index of Articles Related to BC Bill M216 – CRD Watch Homepage