Pre-approved designs, mass timber and Build Canada Homes
The Green housing plan would launch pre-approved and prefabricated housing designs, partner with Build Canada Homes, streamline permitting for low-rise construction, and keep the Vancouver Building By-law.
HOUSING SUPPLY AND RENTAL RULES
Green Party of Vancouver on housing
Pete Fry released this plan on September 16, 2026. Its shape is faster approvals and cheaper construction methods rather than a supply target or a spending number.
Pre-approved designs mean the city approves a set of building plans in advance, so a builder using one skips much of the permit process.
The clearest difference from other parties is on the Vancouver Building By-law. Vancouver is the only city in British Columbia with its own building bylaw, under the Vancouver Charter. The Greens would keep it, arguing it allows climate, mechanical and built-form solutions including mass timber. The Vancouver Liberals would abolish it and adopt the provincial code instead.
No dollar figures, numerical targets or deadlines were stated in the plan as reported.
7 PUBLISHED COMMITMENTS
What they say they will do
Launch pre-approved housing designs
The party would launch pre-approved housing designs including prefabricated options, so qualifying projects skip much of the permit process.
- Who has the power
- The city controls its own permit process.
Partner with Build Canada Homes
The Greens would partner with Build Canada Homes to attract investment and fast-track qualifying projects.
- Who has the power
- Build Canada Homes is a federal programme.
Streamline permitting for low-rise construction
Permitting would be streamlined for low-rise apartments, row homes, townhomes, infill and wood-frame construction.
Keep the Vancouver Building By-law
The Greens would support Vancouver’s own building bylaw and allow innovative climate, mechanical and built-form solutions including mass timber and decarbonisation.
- Who has the power
- Vancouver holds this power under the Vancouver Charter.
Champion Canadian procurement on major developments
The party would champion Canadian procurement and employment requirements for major developments.
Secure rental and non-market homes from new value
The Greens commit to ensuring some of the value created by new development comes back as secured rental and non-market homes.
Fund retrofits through federal and provincial accelerators
The party would partner with the federal Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative and the BC Retrofit Accelerator to fund climate-smart retrofits.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions about this
What is the Vancouver Building By-law, and why does it matter?
Vancouver is the only city in British Columbia allowed to write its own building rules, under the Vancouver Charter. Every other city follows the provincial code. The Greens would keep this power. The Vancouver Liberals would give it up and adopt the provincial code instead. It is one of the sharpest splits on this ballot.
What are pre-approved housing designs?
The city approves a set of building plans in advance. A builder who uses one of those plans skips most of the design review, which makes the project faster and cheaper. It works best for repeatable buildings such as townhomes and small apartment blocks.
Sources
A source marked SAYS SO ITSELF is the party's own material. It proves what the party claims, not that the claim is true.
- Green Party of Vancouver home page SAYS SO ITSELFGreen Party of Vancouver · checked
- Pete Fry calls for rapid shelters to address rising homelessness ahead of World Cup SAYS SO ITSELFGreen Party of Vancouver · checked
- Pete Fry unveils Green Party of Vancouver housing plan Daily Hive · published · checked
- Vancouver Liberals home page SAYS SO ITSELFVancouver Liberals · checked
- Who is running: official 2026 candidate list City of Vancouver · checked
- Local elections disclosure statement search Elections BC · checked
- Elector organizations: registration and financial reporting duties Elections BC · checked
- Making a campaign contribution Elections BC · checked