Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad promised municipalities $10 billion over the next decade for infrastructure upgrades as part of a new approach toward housing that would eliminate what many consider the NDP's signature piece of housing legislation. 

Rustad made his promise of more infrastructure funding during his highly anticipated address to delegates attending the 2024 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention in Vancouver. But this funding comes with a catch.

"I would like to look at working with communities at doing pre-zoning as part of your official community plans," he said. "We are going to get rid of Bill 44...on this." 

Bill 44 is perhaps the central element of sweeping housing legislation changes introduced by government during the past 18 months. It allows anywhere between three and six housing units on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. 

When asked which other elements of the legislation he would repeal, Rustad said "housing is broken" without going into specifics, citing time pressure when talking ot media. But he confirmed his party's plan to eliminate government's short-term rental legislation. He also promised to review the building code as part of a larger review of bureaucratic processes. 

Rustad previewed his opposition to density and his support for pre-zoning during a recent interview with the Vancouver Sun. 

"Going up is not necessarily the solution for being able to create (housing) stability," he said. "You need to be able to expand out."

Rustad's promise to eliminate Bill 44 drew some applause from delegates, with Rustad framing his opposition around democratic principles.

"We need to make sure that we support local governments and local democracies, not take it away." 

He also made that point during the interview with the Vancouver Sun.

"It's a very authoritarian approach by, quite frankly, a hardcore socialist government." 

Reaction to Rustad's proposal was swift. 

Attorney-General Niki Sharma called the proposal troubling.

"We have made a lot of progress through legislation that has been at the front end of changing what is a crisis in B.C. and that is housing in this province," she said. "This UBCM really showed the co-operation that can happen with local governments and the progress that we are making in doing that. British Columbians need affordable housing." 

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas said he does not oppose pre-zoning.

"It gives some clarity," he said, adding that it should be done in consultation with municipalities.

But he also stressed that he would need more information to offer an assessment of Rustad's proposals around Bill 44.

"What are we going to replace it with? Are we just going back to the way it was before or is there any other consideration coming forward?" 

More to come..