COQUITLAM, B.C., May 28, 2024 – Coquitlam is altering its Business Plan, shifting priorities and rebuilding financial systems in order to address the significant operational and financial impacts imposed by recent provincial legislative mandates.
Coquitlam’s reassessment of priorities has been made necessary by the immediate demands of provincial legislation, which applies to all British Columbia municipalities and was implemented with little to no consultation with affected local governments. As Coquitlam continues to navigate the the impacts of the new legislation, the City anticipates a reduction in housing approvals, delayed delivery of much-needed public amenities and higher property taxes to offset lost development revenue.
Within this changing landscape, Coquitlam’s focus remains on maintaining the quality of essential and core municipal services, while also looking ahead to the long-term needs of the growing community.
Shifting Focus to Meet New Provincial Mandates
Coquitlam has long been recognized as a housing leader in British Columbia and has made significant strides in advancing housing solutions since the adoption of its Housing Affordability Strategy and the Transit-Oriented Development Strategy. However, new provincial legislation, which has adopted a one-size-fits-all approach, ignores Coquitlam’s successes in this area and is forcing the City re-evaluate how it plans for and finances housing and community infrastructure.
In 2024-25, this will include seven key focus areas:
- Transit-Oriented Areas Update
- Changes to Funding Programs and Development Financing System
- Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Implementation
- Housing Needs Report Update
- Development Cost Charge Program Update
- New Amenity Cost Charge Program
- Housing Accelerator Fund
To address the work required to implement these mandates, the City will add six temporary positions funded by provincial and federal initiatives. These roles will focus on implementing the legislative changes, conducting planning reviews, and developing a new funding framework to support necessary investments in parks, recreation facilities, and other community amenities.
To learn more about the work Coquitlam is undertaking in these key area, visit coquitlam.ca/HousingChanges.
Reassessment of Priorities Focuses on Core and Essential Community Services
In light of the seven focus areas mandated by recent provincial legislation, Coquitlam has strategically reassessed its priorities for 2024 and is looking ahead to 2025. The far-reaching impacts of the provincial legislative changes demand a coordinated response involving all departments, aligning leadership and resources to meet the new requirements while continuing to deliver core and essential community services.
Key City and Community Priorities Impacted as City Addresses Housing Mandates
In order to respond to the provincial mandates, Coquitlam assessed both Business Plan priorities and operations to ensure continued delivery of core services and essential initiatives.
Even with the proposed addition of temporary resources and the redeployment of key staff, there may still be delays to some projects and items on the 2024 Business Plan. Staff will continue to monitor capacity and resources as the legislative work progresses, however, it is anticipated that the timelines for a number of 2024 projects may be impacted.
In addition, several other projects, as well as other operational priorities, may need to be deferred to 2025 subject to subject to staff capacity, external and economic pressures and financial uncertainty related to the provincial mandates.
Moving Forward
The City of Coquitlam remains dedicated to serving the community with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and strategic resource management as these legislative changes are addressed.
As the City assesses and implements the mandated changes, it will communicate with residents about potential effects on their lives, such as increased neighbourhood density and possible rises in residential property taxes due to the loss of development charges. The City will also provide residents with the resources and information needed to help them adapt to the new legislation.
Learn more at:
Background links
Media contact:
Kathleen Vincent
Manager Communications and Civic Engagement
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.