The B.C. Court of Appeal has declared a provincial law facilitating a supportive housing development in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighborhood unconstitutional, citing interference with the court's role.
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Court of Appeal says a law passed by the provincial government to stave off opposition to a supportive housing development in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano is unconstitutional. The provincial government had adopted the law at the request of the City of Vancouver in 2023 to push through a 12-storey housing development at Arbutus Street, featuring units open to low‑income residents and users of support services.
But the Arbutus development has been opposed by the Kitsilano Coalition for Children & Family Safety Society, which took the city to court over its in-principle approval of a rezoning to allow the project to go ahead. Monday's ruling says the provincial government 'evidently became concerned' the litigation could delay the rezoning, so it passed the Municipal Enabling and Validating Act to facilitate the project. The B.C. Supreme Court upheld the law in November last year, but the community group appealed, arguing the law crossed the line in bypassing the court's 'supervisory role' enshrined by Constitution. The new ruling says the legislation 'amounted to interference' with the court’s adjudicative role. It says the case isn't about whether the housing crisis 'requires action or whether the proposed development should proceed' — the 'sole issue' is whether the province infringed upon the role of the court. The City of Vancouver said in a statement that it was reviewing the decision, although it was not a party to the appeal. Neither the coalition nor the Housing Ministry immediately provided a response to the ruling. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Darryl Greer, The Canadian Pres
Housing Law Court Vancouver Government
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada Tightens Clean Electricity Rules Despite Provincial PushbackCanada's federal government is implementing new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity grids, aiming to phase out natural gas power generation by 2035. Despite resistance from provinces heavily reliant on fossil fuels, the rules have been revised to offer greater flexibility.
Read more »
U.S. court dismisses appeal in Donald Trump classified documents caseThe order from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals means both federal cases against Trump have now been dropped as he prepares to return to the White House on Jan 20.
Read more »
Canada's top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking caseCanada's highest court has dismissed the appeal of a Guelph, Ont., man convicted of drug trafficking after police impersonated a drug dealer in order to arrest him.
Read more »
TikTok loses bid in appeal court to halt law that could lead to U.S. banThe logo of TikTok is seen during the China International Textile and Garment Supply Chain Expo in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province on December 5, 2024.
Read more »
Federal Court Rejects Health Executive's Appeal Over Vaccine RefusalA British Columbia health executive fired for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine has had his employment insurance appeal dismissed by a Federal Court judge. The court ruled that the tribunal should focus on the employee's conduct, not the employer's policies or Charter compliance.
Read more »
Canada's top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking caseCanada's highest court has dismissed the appeal of a Guelph, Ont., man convicted of drug trafficking after police impersonated a drug dealer in order to arrest him.
Read more »