A major policy reversal in Calgary is being viewed as a potential turning point by some municipal politicians in British Columbia who are critical of their own province's push for increased housing density.
A Contentious Vote and a Swift Reversal
Earlier this month, Calgary's newly elected city council took a decisive step, voting 13-2 to begin the process of repealing a so-called "blanket rezoning" policy. That policy, approved just last year in May 2024 by a narrower 9-6 vote, had permitted up to four ground-level housing units on lots previously reserved for single-detached homes.
The original rezoning was one of the most divisive issues in the city's recent history. A record-setting public hearing in April 2024 saw the city receive over 5,500 written submissions, amounting to more than 13,000 pages of public feedback. The debate exposed a clear generational rift, with younger residents largely supporting the change as a path to affordability, while many older residents voiced concerns about neighbourhood character, parking, traffic, and infrastructure strain.
Echoes of the B.C. Housing Debate
This dynamic will sound familiar to observers of British Columbia's housing policy. In 2023, the provincial NDP government passed legislation requiring municipalities with populations over 5,000 to allow at least four units per residential lot, effectively ending exclusive single-family zoning.
That move generated significant opposition from some municipal leaders and the B.C. Conservatives, who argued it was an overreach of provincial authority that undermined local autonomy over land use. For these critics, Calgary's recent action provides a "beacon of hope" and a potential model for resistance.
Political Shifts and Future Hearings
The repeal effort in Calgary was a central campaign issue in the October 2025 municipal election. Many candidates who promised to roll back the blanket rezoning were successful, including new Mayor Jeromy Farkas. The council's vote to start the repeal process was one of its first major actions.
The issue is now slated to return to the forefront with a new public hearing expected in March 2026. Meanwhile, in B.C., the provincial mandate remains in effect, setting the stage for continued tension between different levels of government and highlighting the deep societal divisions over how to address the housing crisis while preserving community character.
