Invitation to BC Municipal Councils Re: Judicial Review of Provincial Housing Laws - Bills 44, 47, 13, 15, and M216

December 8, 2025

Municipalities across British Columbia are now subject to a suite of provincial housing laws — Bills 44, 47, 13, 15, and M216 — introduced and passed at remarkable speed, with limited consultation and, in some cases, under non-disclosure agreements that prevented open discussion. The timing of these Bills, released after the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution deadline, removed the only coordinated opportunity for local governments to provide input or seek policy direction. As a result, councils were left without a meaningful role in shaping legislation that fundamentally alters their authority.

These Bills are not simply about housing supply. Individually and collectively, they alter how local democracy functions. Powers traditionally exercised by elected councils have shifted to prescriptive provincial requirements and external decision-makers. The cancellation of public hearings for many zoning decisions has further limited residents’ ability to participate in community planning. Taken together, these changes raise serious questions about whether local governments can continue to operate as accountable democratic institutions.

View Royal Council has authorized the Mayor and Chief Administartive Officer (CAO) to explore a coordinated Judicial Review and to invite other municipalities to consider joining. The purpose of such a review is not to oppose housing, but to obtain clarity on whether the Province acted within lawful limits and whether proper democratic and procedural safeguards were respected. 

A Judicial Review would seek answers to key questions:

  • Whether these Bills, individually or combined, have eroded councils’ capacity to govern and consult their residents.
  • Whether eliminating public hearings is consistent with procedural fairness.
  • Whether the Province exceeded its authority in reshaping core municipal land use powers.
  • Whether the speed, secrecy, and timing of the legislative process met principles of responsible governance.
  • What limits exist on unilateral changes to local democratic authority.

Without clarity, municipalities are left uncertain about their future role and accountability to their communities.

We invite your council to consider joining a coalition of municipalities to examine these issues together and to share the associated work and costs.

Appendix: Sample Resolution for Councils [PDF - 72 KB]

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