Reducing red tape will help Alberta’s housing crisis, Smith tells municipal leaders

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says reducing red tape is an essential element to addressing the province’s housing crisis.

Smith addressed Alberta’s growing population and its impact on housing affordability while speaking to mayors and reeves at the Alberta Municipalities convention and trade show in Edmonton Friday.

Smith praised cities like Leduc and St. Albert for their speed in approving new builds, while calling out those who are falling behind.

“I’m told in the Calgary metropolitan region area, there are 26,000 units that could be approved, but have not been approved, because of delays in the regulator approval process,” the premier said.

“This cannot continue. I want to be clear, with every municipality here, it is no longer an option to place roadblocks in the way of homes for Albertans.”

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The Opposition NDP placed the blame on the provincial government for not being more aggressive on affordable housing projects, pointing to funding reductions in recent years.

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley told the province’s municipality leaders that she’s concerned about rising rent prices.

“It’s clear that it is actually going to take all three levels of government working diligently and collaboratively to get in front of this housing crisis,” she said.

As of April 2021, there were 24,000 Albertans on an affordable housing waitlist. The province had set a goal of building 25,000 more units by 2031.