Did the BC NDP Learn from the Last Election?

Interview with BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon

The last BC election sent a clear message to the governing New Democratic Party (NDP): British Columbians expect real results, not just promises. While the NDP held onto power, voter dissatisfaction was evident, particularly around housing affordability, cost of living, and economic uncertainty.

The question remains—has the BC NDP learned from the results, and are they taking meaningful action?

Election Takeaways

Premier David Eby and his government acknowledged that while policies were in place, voters wanted to feel the impact of those changes sooner. Housing, in particular, was a focal point of voter frustration. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon addressed this issue directly:

"People want us to do better. It’s one thing to talk about changes—people want to feel the changes in their lives. That was the message I took from the election."

Kahlon also recognized that frustration was not limited to BC, but reflected a broader trend:

"Across the country, across North America, the winds of change were blowing in our face. But despite that, we were able to do enough to show the public where we want to go, and that’s why we’re still here doing this work."

Housing Reforms: Is It Enough?

Since the election, the NDP has ramped up housing legislation, rezoning initiatives, and targeted short-term rentals to increase housing supply. Minister Kahlon emphasized the urgency of these efforts:

"I believe to my core that the housing system is failing young people. The system is designed to make it harder for them because those that have housing consistently have a voice in decision-making, while those without are left out of the conversation."

One of the most significant legislative changes was removing barriers to multi-unit developments on single-family lots. Kahlon explained the reasoning behind the policy:

"We need to remove barriers for different types of housing to be built. The single-family home is simply not affordable for many, and we can’t deny that we haven’t been building enough housing over the years."

However, despite these efforts, housing starts have declined by 11% this year, raising concerns about whether these policy changes are translating into results. Kahlon defended the government's record:

"The last four years have seen the highest housing starts in BC’s history. So yes, we’re 11% lower than the highest we’ve ever been, but we are still building at a rate far higher than other jurisdictions in Canada."

Economic and Cost of Living Challenges

Beyond housing, the election results reflected frustration over affordability and economic pressures. Inflation, high interest rates, and the cost of essentials have put pressure on British Columbians. Minister Kahlon acknowledged these concerns, stating:

"People need to see a difference. That’s something Premier Eby has consistently hammered into us. We need to make real differences in people’s lives."

To address affordability, the BC government has introduced measures like the BC Affordability Credit and increased social supports, but it remains to be seen if these initiatives will be enough to win over skeptical voters.

Municipal and Federal Challenges

One of the NDP’s biggest hurdles has been resistance from certain municipalities. Cities like West Vancouver and Oak Bay have pushed back against provincial housing targets. Kahlon has made it clear that municipalities must be part of the solution:

"It can’t be one community in and one community out. If some cities refuse to approve new housing, it puts even more pressure on other municipalities that are doing their part. We can’t allow that."

He also pointed out that past government inaction is part of the reason for today’s housing crisis:

"We are paying the price for governments that walked away from housing. If we had continued building affordable housing 20 years ago, we wouldn’t be in this situation. But now, we have to catch up—and fast."

Shifting Political Landscape

The election results also showed that the NDP is facing growing opposition. Both the BC United Party and the BC Conservatives gained traction, presenting a more significant challenge in the next election cycle.

For now, the NDP is focusing on delivering tangible results before voters head back to the polls. Kahlon remains hopeful:

"We’re starting to see an impact in communities. More housing is coming online. Vacancy rates are rising, and rents are starting to stabilize. We still have a long way to go, but we are making progress."

Conclusion

The BC NDP appears to have learned from the election, adjusting their messaging and accelerating policy implementation. But whether these efforts will be enough remains uncertain.

Voters have made it clear: They don’t just want policies—they want results. If affordability and housing challenges persist, opposition parties will be ready to capitalize on the frustration.

As British Columbians wait to see the impact of the government's changes, the next election will ultimately determine whether the NDP has done enough to regain public confidence.