As someone with more than 40 years’ experience in community planning, as a neighbourhood activist, advisory planning commission member, and city councillor, I have never seen, nor could I have imagined, the level of bullying and interference in urban land matters as we have now with this provincial government.

I look back with fondness on the days when developers would be directed to go to our community association (in Victoria) at the early stages of a new development proposal.  Because we understood the nuances of how the neighbourhood works, and what would be an asset, the developer often had a better product that went through the approval process more easily.

Now, in this post-Bill 44 era, the municipality where I now live, when posting notice of a new development, states that it is prohibited from holding a public hearing.  Who would have thought that an NDP government would cancel a democratic process!?

The answer was, yes, it could happen. And the first she would know of it would be when the construction machinery starts to arrive.

Who gave the province the right to implement these draconian measures? Sure, we understand that more affordable housing needs to be built. But what’s the point in allowing more high-density condos selling at more than $800,000? Who does that serve?

Why can’t municipalities determine their own path towards solving this problem?  If Oak Bay wants to take a “go slow” approach to ensure any infill or new construction is an appropriate fit, why can’t they do that?  If the small town of Sooke wants to upgrade infrastructure before adding more density, that seems like good planning to me.

What we’re seeing now is bullying and condescension from our housing minister.  He’s getting his advice from the Urban Development Institute and from his brother the developer (who is responsible for the most ugly triplex proposal ever to be foisted on Oak Bay).

The boys at the Urban Development Institute (I use that term intentionally) must just be squirming in delight. The entire province is now their playground, and they are pulling the strings.

Please, can we stop this madness?  Slow down. Back off on pressuring municipalities.  Let’s get back to sensible urban planning, with accompanying planning for infrastructure and transportation, as we embrace appropriate density in the right places.

>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: letters@timescolonist.com