The provincial housing agency’s budget is nearly $2 billion, an increase of more than 140 percent from five years ago. And with a $7 billion boost in the budget over the next decade, the province commissioned Ernst & Young to review the agency. Just a week after releasing his report, BC Housing Minister David Eby announced that the Commissioner members of his board are out. The Ernst & Young investigation — completed in May but released late last month — found problems at the agency, including inadequate oversight of decisions and spending, and unclear roles and responsibilities that may be affecting BC Housing’s ability to manage risks. A Friday press release from the province said Eby made the decision and the new board will “ensure best practices are implemented” at the agency. The statement referred directly to the Ernst & Young report. “The review was initiated by the BC government in 2021,” the statement reads, “to ensure BC Housing can meet its expanded budget and mandate in light of the government’s historic $7 billion investment in affordable housing for 10 years and the rapid development of the Crown Corporation”. But BC Liberal Housing critic Mike Bernier accused Eby of making a “hypocritical announcement” by releasing the news late over the weekend. Typical of her https://t.co/ZOPF9qwSTg —@Mike_A_Bernier “Typical of him [NDP]Bernier wrote on Friday. “Wait until late Friday to try to hide more of the failures of this [NDP] government. “Eby has failed to deliver on almost every housing promise as minister on this record!”
The members of the Board of Directors were replaced
The outgoing board members were all appointed after the New Democrats came to power in 2017. The change — announced in the news release — includes replacing NDP-appointed board chair Cassie Doyle. He is being replaced by Allan Seckel, former head of BC’s civil service under the BC Liberal government in the 2000s and former deputy provincial Attorney General. “Doyle has not sought re-appointment to her four-year term, which expires on July 18, 2022,” the province said in a June 30 announcement. Although Doyle’s role was scheduled to end this month, seven of the former board members were appointed to serve through 2023 and two through 2024. Other board members removed were Barb Carle-Thiesson, Joanne Granek, Penny Gurstein, Kerry Pateman, Susan Russell-Csanyi, Sonia Sahota and Perry Staniscia. They are being replaced by Jill Kot, Sheila Taylor, Mark Sieben and Russ Jones — plus two new appointees who will take their positions in several weeks.
