Building & Industry News
Remove GST and PTT from Housing
Two candidates for the federal Liberal leadership – Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland – have promised to remove the GST for first-time buyers of new homes under $1 million and $1.5 million respectively. This is a step forward on reducing the sales tax on new housing....
2025 CARE Awards Sponsorship Launched
We have launched our 2025 CARE Awards sponsorship opportunities package. The Annual CARE Awards event is the most prestigious housing awards for Canada's leaders in west coast design and construction. Our promotions and marketing are unmatched thanks to our...
VRBA Annual Golf Tournament – May 28
Connect with VRBA members and promote your product or service at VRBA’s Annual Fun Golf Tournament at Olympic View on Wed, May 28th! You do not have to be a VRBA member to register as a golfer or to be a sponsor. ONLY $235/golfer: see the attached for...
Hire a VRBA Contractor for Your Home Project
Last year, many municipalities were required to update their bylaws to accommodate the provincial legislation enabling moderate housing density (townhomes, duplexes, fourplexes, etc) in single family zones. If you are considering any new home project including a...
January Housing Starts Lowest in 5 Years in CRD
Despite provincially-mandated housing targets and rezonings, CMHC reports Greater Victoria’s 105 housing starts in January 2025 are 42% lower than the 182 starts in January 2024. In fact, this year is the lowest in 5 years: January 2025 - 105; 182 in 2024; 463 in...
A Solution to Skilled Trades Shortages
Skilled trades shortages are growing as baby boomers retire and demand for new housing increases. Governments at all levels are promising to boost housing supply, which requires a large, well-trained workforce. Labour market studies predict 83,000 job openings in the...
Join VRBA in the New Year
If you are considering membership in an industry association this year, consider the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Our daily mission is to be effective, efficient, and affordable for our members. We are the builders’ leading voice advocating housing...
Renovation Rebate Needed for Seismic Safety
There are hundreds of small earthquakes annually in our region that usually go unnoticed. They are constant reminders we live in a subduction zone where large earthquakes can happen any time. Scientists discovered an active earthquake fault running under Elk Lake,...
2025 Crystal Ball Housing Forecast
VRBA’s Annual Crystal Ball Housing Forecast on January 15 featured presentations by: • Dirk VanderWal, Chair, Victoria Real Estate Board • Brendon Ogmundson, Chief Economist, British Columbia Real Estate Association • Shiva Moshtari Doust, Lead Economist, Canada...
Housing Starts Declined in Most CRD Municipalities in 2024
Despite provincially-mandated housing targets and rezonings, Greater Victoria’s total housing starts in 2024 were down 16% according to CMHC. From January to December, housing starts were 4,185 vs 4,992 during the same period in 2023. The City of Victoria housing...