Advocacy & Government Relations
In 2024, BOMA BC advocated to all levels of government for policies that allow the commercial real estate industry to succeed in our Province. Through meetings, advocacy, and consultations, we continued to move the needle forward on key regulatory priorities such as climate change, labour shortages, permitting, property taxes and other issues.
Provincial Election
BC’s Provincial election in October 2024 was an opportunity for BOMA BC to engage with all political parties.
We shared our priorities, concerns and suggestions. We encouraged the Province to support our industry’s decarbonization goals, collaborate on decarbonization goals by certifying Provincially owned buildings with BOMA Best, and take a leadership role in Carbon limits and reporting across the Province, rather than a patchwork of regulations.
Property Taxes
Fair and equitable property taxation is essential to our members, and we spend considerable time advocating to the City and the Province about the need for a competitive tax structure.
Property taxes are the jurisdiction of both the Province (the School Tax) and the Cities. BOMA BC has advocated to the Ministry of Finance and local government officials for competitive tax rates.
BOMA BC participated in a City of Vancouver Property Tax Consultation in which the City explored new metrics to gauge our property tax competitiveness compared to other major Canadian cities, reiterating our position for a tax shift based on property tax fairness, persistent challenges in the office sector, and the minimal burden on residences, compared to the substantial benefit to businesses.
While not all of our recommendations were implemented, on December 10th, 2024, Vancouver City Council approved the 2025 budget with only a 3.9% property tax increase. In 2023, the City of Vancouver saw an excessive property tax increase and BOMA BC strongly communicated the impact on the commercial real estate industry.
As last year’s increase was one of the smallest in years, we felt our advocacy was heard loud and clear.
Safety and Security
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Downtown Vancouver Safety + Vibrancy Survey
Downtown vibrancy has deteriorated in downtown cores across North America following the pandemic. As such, safety and security issues continue to be top of mind for our association and our advocacy work.
In 2024, BOMA BC partnered with Leger and the Downtown Business Improvement Association to conduct an online Safety and Security survey of BOMA BC members to gain an understanding of the safety challenges in the downtown core. Survey results show continued concerns.
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Safety Task Force
BOMA BC also continued to be an active member of the Downtown Vancouver Safety Task Force – a cross-association committee that explores safety issues downtown.
We met with Provincial cabinet Ministers including the Attorney General, Public Safety Minister, and other, discussing the continued repeat offender crisis, impacts of decriminalization on local business, and the costs of crime on small businesses in downtown Vancouver.
Safety and security issues featured prominently in British Columbia’s 2025 Budget, highlighting the success of our advocacy all year.
Carbon Reporting and Carbon Limits in British Columbia
There are several different municipalities exploring energy reporting and carbon pollution limits for commercial buildings. Some are already in place, and others continue to consult on options.
This comes with several challenges including access to utility data, and a potential patchwork of regulations across municipalities. In several meetings and consultations, BOMA BC has encouraged the Province to show leadership in addressing both these issues and ensuring consistent regulations across the Province.
As BC and the City of Vancouver continue to struggle with challenges for Data Utility Access, BOMA BC consulted with the Province of Ontario to see if there was an opportunity to bring their model of utility sharing to British Columbia.
Graphics from City of Vancouver’s Energize Vancouver initiative
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Office Vacancies
As the vacancy health of the office market continues to face headwinds in markets around North America, BOMA BC had regular check-ins with the City of Vancouver to touch base.
We briefed the City on the health of the market and discussed opportunities and solutions for underused office space.
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Pod Hotel Pilot Project
In late 2024, the City of Vancouver began exploring piloting temporary pod hotels in Vancouver and BOMA BC was in regular communication with our members at the City of Vancouver to find opportunities for quick conversions.
Permitting
Permitting delays are always a challenge for BOMA BC members. However in recent years, after consistent consultation and meetings, we have heard of improvements in small tenant improvements.
Last year, the City of Vancouver Proposed Part 11 Bylaw Changes to clarify alternative pathways to compliance for upgrade triggers, as well as changing certain definitions to simplify the upgrade process. BOMA BC strongly supported improvements to Part 11 changes to simplify the process and consulted regularly with the City of Vancouver.
Part 11 improvements is a long-term advocacy ask of our association, and we will continue to work closely with the City to see improvements on all fronts.
