Last meeting, Parksville Council unanimously passed a resolution I brought forward that asks the Province to take a more balanced and strategic approach to where new housing is built in British Columbia.

Right now, the Province assigns housing targets to communities based mostly on population growth and housing demand. Our resolution says that’s not enough. We’re asking the Province to also consider whether a community has the water, healthcare, infrastructure, and climate resilience it needs to grow safely and sustainably.

It’s about more than just building homes — it’s about making sure those homes are built in places that can truly support them, now and into the future.

This resolution will be submitted to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) — a province-wide association where local governments can bring forward issues that matter to their communities and call on the Province for action.

If you’ve never heard of UBCM resolutions before, you’re not alone. In a future post, I’ll break down how they work and why they’re important. For now, just know this: they’re a formal way for local governments to raise issues to the provincial level — like saying, “Here’s what we need help with, and here’s what you should consider doing.” These get voted on at the annual UBCM convention and, if approved, go through formally to the provincial government.

Housing, Climate, Healthcare — No More Siloed Crises

We are facing a convergence of three major crises: the housing crisis, the climate crisis, and the healthcare crisis. Each one affects how and where we grow as communities. But too often, the policy responses are siloed — as if these problems aren’t interconnected.

You can’t solve the housing crisis by ignoring the strain on healthcare or the risks of building in flood-prone, drought-stricken, or wildfire-prone areas. And a new home isn’t enough if there’s no access to water, emergency services, or a family doctor.

Housing Targets Need More Than Numbers

The Province currently assigns housing targets using tools like the Housing Targets Prioritization Index — a scoring system based on population growth, vacancy rates, and affordability metrics. But the formula doesn’t consider critical factors like water supply, infrastructure strain, exposure to natural disasters, or access to healthcare.

You can read the Province’s current index here:
👉 Housing Targets Prioritization Index (PDF)

Municipalities like Parksville go through a careful planning process every few years to update our Official Community Plan (OCP). That plan guides land use, infrastructure investments, emergency services, and environmental protection. It’s a thoughtful balancing act — and we believe the Province should take a similar approach when deciding where housing growth should be concentrated.

By directing new housing to more climate-resilient areas with stable infrastructure and water systems, the Province can reduce future costs associated with wildfires, floods, droughts, and infrastructure failures. These costs — borne by governments, insurers, and ultimately future taxpayers — are growing every year. Proactive planning isn’t just responsible; it will save money and lives down the road.

Why This Matters for Parksville

We’re already facing summer droughts and long-term water system pressures. Our regional hospital and primary care system is strained. Climate-driven risks like wildfire and flooding are becoming more common.

Parksville has taken a leadership role in protecting its watershed — most recently partnering with The Nature Trust of BC to protect 13 acres of critical riparian habitat along the Englishman River and by initiating a comprehensive water study (first report to come soon). This UBCM resolution builds on that leadership by asking the Province to match our careful planning with climate- and infrastructure-aware housing policy.

I’m proud to say this resolution passed unanimously. I’ve already heard from several people across our community and province who support this approach.

This isn’t about saying “no” to housing. It’s about saying “yes” to the right kind of housing — in the right places, supported by the right infrastructure.

Let’s build homes and resilience — together.

You can read the full resolution and backgrounder here:
👉 UBCM Resolution – Supporting Climate-Resilient and Infrastructure-Ready Housing Targets Document & Backgrounder

Further reading:
Parksville calls on province to revise housing target methodology – PQB News
Video of Council Discussion
UBCM – Supporting Climate-Resilient and Infrastructure-Ready Housing Targets Year 2025 Number NR30