Liberals ride on housing boom

By Dan Hilborn
Published April 30, 2005


Housing starts in Burnaby have reached levels not seen since the early 1970s, and Edmonds MLA Patty Sahota said credit has to be given to the B.C. Liberal policies of the past four years.

"When we were first elected, we said we'd revitalize the economy," Sahota said in the company of local realtors and developers outside a five-unit townhouse project being built in the 5200 block of Victory Street.

"Today, this housing complex is an example of how the economy is being revitalized, not just in Burnaby but all around the province," Sahota said. "People are investing and coming back to B.C., and it's important to note that our government has a lot to do with it.

"The economy, as you know, is doing really well in the province. Housing starts are up to their highest level in Burnaby since 1971, and B.C. as a province is leading the nation in economic growth for the first time in a long time."

In a press release, Sahota noted that Burnaby had 2,326 housing starts last year, a level of growth not seen since 1971 and the second-highest total of new homes built in the city since 1962.

Her positive outlook was echoed by the project's developer, Bimaljit Singh, and local realtors Roger Dhir, Ron Basra, Doris Gee and Phil Moore.

"We've seen a drastic turnaround in our business since the Liberals were elected," said Moore. "That was the turning point, and for our industry it has been very positive."

Dhir, of Royal Pacific Realty, said that all aspects of the economy are benefiting, including organized labour.

"Thanks to the proper management in Victoria, we're in business," Dhir said. "Just look at the framers. They used to earn $2.50 a square foot, now they make $5.50. They're all making money."

Singh said he used to build single family homes, but diversified into multifamily projects such as the $2-million project on Victory Street because of his confidence in the economy.

"This is a small project, but it's keeping people busy and creating more jobs," said Singh, who noted that his business keeps 52 different subtrades busy, each of which has four or five employees.

Sahota also said B.C.-wide housing starts grew almost four times faster than elsewhere in Canada, and predictions indicate that B.C. may be the only province with continued growth in 2005.

She also said that for every housing start, two jobs are created, bringing $27,000 in spin-off activity to the province. Overall, Burnaby approved $514 million in building permits last year, up from $196 million in 2001.

But Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan, one of the most high-profile NDP members in the city, said it was categorically unfair to give the provincial government full credit for an economic boom that is being felt around the world.

"The Liberals have as much to do with the economy as they did with the tsunami in Southeast Asia," Corrigan said. "For them to be going out and telling the public that four million people in B.C. have determined the economy of North America and Asia is ridiculous. It defies common sense."

Corrigan said credit for the economic boom more properly belongs to the growing economic clout of China and India.

"All of us are capitalizing on the opportunities we have from a buoyant world economy, particularly a buoyant Asian economy as a result of China going through a huge industrial expansion. I also think the housing starts we've seen in Burnaby and around the region are probably because this region is a highly desirable place to live, and that hasn't been created in the past four years."

Corrigan even questioned whether the Liberals have done anything at all to benefit Burnaby.

"The real issue for me is what has Patty done for Burnaby? I know she's actively represented Victoria's interest, but I can't think of any point where she's represented Burnaby's point and won a victory," the mayor said. "We've had the closure of a courthouse, the closure of a house for sexually exploited children and, when you look at the redevelopment of Edmonds, it's done entirely by the city.

"I just can't understand how the media just keeps eating this stuff up," he said. "If the economy goes into the toilet, will they be saying it's the Liberals' fault that Asia is having a collapse. No, they won't. It's ridiculous."