2025 federal election and the Metro Vancouver region
Investments from the federal government toward critical infrastructure, housing and affordability, and disaster resilience and adaptation are critical to the quality of life and long-term sustainability of Metro Vancouver.
In anticipation of the 2025 federal election, we reached out to the four major national political parties to determine where they stand on these issues, and how they intend to work with Metro Vancouver and other local jurisdictions to address them.
Explore this page to learn more about the topics that are important to you and our region. Local government matters.
Issues
| Investments in critical infrastructure | Investments in critical infrastructure | <div class="ExternalClass6F87C4AAC13A4D6387889B384E136FD0"><p>From delivering clean drinking water and managing waste to creating parks and housing, infrastructure projects provide the foundations for a strong, resilient economy and help build the future of our country. As we plan for the future, we must consider the need for expanded regional utilities and services to respond to growth. Federal funding programs are available to help local governments build, maintain, and upgrade critical infrastructure. However, these programs often have inconsistent criteria, guidelines, and timelines, which can change drastically whenever there is a change in government. This uncertainty undermines long-term planning and often results in delays and cost increases to essential projects. </p><p>Long-term, predictable investments in local government infrastructure will create a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous Canada.</p><p>Over the next five years, Metro Vancouver has significant capital expenditures planned to build, maintain, and upgrade critical infrastructure that will support the resiliency and livability of the region, which is home to over 50 per cent of British Columbia’s residents. The region is expected to grow by 50,000 people per year, reaching 4.2 million by 2050. To prepare for this growth, all orders of government must make the necessary investments to ensure our infrastructure can meet these increased demands.<br></p></div> |
| Housing and affordability | Housing and affordability | <div class="ExternalClassFEA6675CDECF4814B460BDED1126D685"><p>Housing affordability is an essential part of creating a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous future for the region, and for Canada. However, 44 per cent of Canadians say housing is their biggest worry, and an entire generation feels locked out of home ownership.<br></p><p>With approximately 21,500 people on BC Housing’s social housing waitlist in the region and a rapidly growing population, Metro Vancouver estimates the region will need over 11,000 new rental units every year for the next five years to meet the critical demand for affordable housing across the region. This includes lower-end market housing, subsidized housing and below-market housing. But the region can’t do it alone. Improving affordability requires actions and partnerships with all orders of government. There have been significant steps toward addressing the housing affordability crisis in Metro Vancouver, but more can be done to build up supply.</p><br></div> |
| Disaster resilience and adaptation | Disaster resilience and adaptation | <div class="ExternalClassF156E84205624899BEBFC6046C4F1209"><p>2024 was Canada’s costliest year on record for severe weather-related events, costing taxpayers $8.5 billion in damages. For communities to prepare for extreme weather and other disasters, an immediate investment in disaster mitigation and adaptation is necessary. It is essential to ensure that Metro Vancouver’s infrastructure is resilient to the changing climate and other potential disasters.</p><p>We must maintain and replace critical regional infrastructure to meet current and future service needs, and to be resilient against the effects of climate change and natural disasters, including impacts from severe weather events, flooding, wildfires, power failures and seismic events. These projects have a strong return on investment by reducing the risks posed by extreme weather and other disasters that cause serious disruptions to our local economies.<br></p></div> |
Questions and reponses
See how the parties responded
How does your party plan to support local governments to build local government infrastructure?
| Conservative Party of Canada | Conservative Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png, Conservative Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png |
| Green Party of Canada | Green Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>We will support long-term, stable infrastructure funding for local governments. </p><p>We will: </p><ul><li>Work with municipalities to build and maintain public, community-serving infrastructure</li><li>Improve access to federal funds with clearer, more consistent criteria<br></li><li>Prioritize climate-resilient and green infrastructure, including clean energy and circular economy projects</li><li>Strengthen public transit and community services</li><li>Oppose privatization to ensure public funds serve the public good</li><li>Support infrastructure that helps communities prepare for climate impacts and disasters</li></ul><p>Local governments know their communities best. We’ll be strong partners in making their priorities a reality.</p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png, Green Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png |
| Liberal Party of Canada | Liberal Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png, Liberal Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png |
| New Democratic Party of Canada | New Democratic Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png, New Democratic Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png |
If elected, what will your party do to support an expanded inventory of below-market rental housing options in the Metro Vancouver region, without impacting local government funding tools?
| Conservative Party of Canada | Conservative Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png, Conservative Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png |
| Green Party of Canada | Green Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClass927485E4DC2E44439CEEAB56EB06A4F2"><p>Our goal is to build more affordable rental homes. We will do this with strong support and funding from the federal government.</p><p>We will: </p><ul><li>Increase support for non-profit, co-op, and community housing providers</li><li>Restore CMHC’s role in developing and financing non-market housing</li><li>Provide long-term, low-interest loans to non-profit housing builders</li><li>Protect public land for affordable housing</li><li>Remove federal tax barriers on non-profit housing projects</li><li>Strengthen rent protections and tenant supports<br></li></ul><p>We’ll work with provinces and municipalities. to secure, affordable homes in fast-growing regions like Metro Vancouver.<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png, Green Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png |
| Liberal Party of Canada | Liberal Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png, Liberal Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png |
| New Democratic Party of Canada | New Democratic Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png, New Democratic Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png |
If your party forms government, how would you support local governments to ensure infrastructure is resilient against climate change and severe weather-related events?
| Conservative Party of Canada | Conservative Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png, Conservative Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/conservative-canada-logo.png |
| Green Party of Canada | Green Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClass3DE9300145E44C1DB4AB958D662E19FC"><div><p>We will help local governments build climate-resilient infrastructure by:</p><ul><li>Increasing funding to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund<br></li><li>Prioritizing local adaptation projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank</li><li>Creating grants and low-interest loans for community-level resilience planning</li><li>Supporting wildfire preparedness, flood protection, and extreme heat measures</li><li>Updating building codes and requiring climate-resilient standards in publicly-funded projects </li><li>Helping municipalities map local climate risks and plan ahead</li></ul><p> Federal support must be long-term, fair, and grounded in local knowledge. That way, every community can prepare for the future.</p></div></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png, Green Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/green-canada-logo.png |
| Liberal Party of Canada | Liberal Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png, Liberal Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/liberal-canada-logo.png |
| New Democratic Party of Canada | New Democratic Party of Canada | <div class="ExternalClassC238F4BE3F6547C38F390781C645A089"><p>No responses have been received to date<br></p></div> | https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png, New Democratic Party of Canada
https://metrovancouver.org/local-government-matters/PublishingImages/ndp-canada-logo.png |