Policy Goals
From the Kootenays to the Coast, people in British Columbia are facing intersecting crises: affordability and climate.
Local leaders have both the opportunity and responsibility to make life easier for people in their communities. We’ve compiled policies across nine areas that can pave the way for more equitable cities and towns across BC.
User guide for the BC Municipal Elections Policy Brief:
For those seeking (re)election: Commit to advancing the policies within your community.
For BC residents: Urge candidates to commit to the policies.
Employment Standards
(Re)institute a Living Wage.
Institute maximum safe working temperatures policies and protections.
Invest in an adequately-staffed municipal public service.
Housing
Implement vacancy control.
Implement a Right to Cool bylaw.
Increase the stock of public non-market housing with wrap-around supports.
End the practice of decampment from public land.
Food Security
Enshrine the Right to Food.
Develop emergency food system plans.
Incentivize access to public land for growing food.
Support First Nations’ land access.
Childcare
Simplify (re)zoning permits and
business licensing processes.Incentivize the development of $10-a-day childcare spaces.
Advocate to the province for affordable, nonprofit $10-a-day spaces.
Transit
Implement a low-income transit pass.
Implement free transit for teens.
Add benches and covers to bus stops.
End fare-evasion ticketing.
Run public transit as a public service.
Climate Justice
Ensure climate disaster readiness plans incorporate strategies for the safety and well-being of unhoused, precariously housed, and economically marginalized communities.
Implement a ban on gas in all new buildings.
Democracy
Lower the municipal voting age to 16.
Extend municipal voting rights to Permanent Residents.
Dedicate resources to ensure voter participation of people without fixed addresses.
Support free transit during elections.
Equity
Enact Sanctuary City policies to ensure all residents can use municipal services.
Protect and maintain SOGI curriculum in public schools.
Uphold commitments to UNDRIP.
Cap municipal police budgets.
Healthcare
Fund and support the zoning of harm reduction sites.
Maintain reliable access to public washrooms.
Support community-led responses to people in crisis and distress.
Expedite development of community health centers.