City of Coquitlam staff ‘incredibly concerned’ about new provincial bill

City of Coquitlam staff say they are “incredibly concerned” about a proposed provincial bill that would significantly restrict how local governments review development applications. Staff are recommending that the City formally oppose the legislation and raise concerns with local MLAs and the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

Bill M 216, the Professional Reliance Act, was introduced in the Legislature in October as a private member’s bill by Nanaimo–Lantzville MLA George Anderson.

The bill would require municipalities to accept any technical report or submission certified by registered professionals, such as engineers, architects, and biologists, without the ability to question or verify the work. To intervene or take action, the City would need to file a formal complaint with the province.

In a report to the council, staff warn that this would remove core municipal oversight powers that ensure buildings and infrastructure meet safety, environmental, and engineering standards. Under the proposed law, peer reviews of professional submissions would also be prohibited unless authorized by the superintendent.

City staff say the shift undermines local knowledge and expertise, widens safety risks, and could create significant financial liabilities for municipalities forced to accept flawed or incomplete work. The report notes examples in which City reviewers identified significant technical errors in certified submissions, including cracked shoring walls, incorrect groundwater estimates, missing fire hydrants, unfinished building envelopes, and unsafe fire exits.

As a safeguard, the bill says municipalities cannot be held liable for damages tied to certified submissions. However, staff caution that cities are still frequently named in lawsuits despite clear liability, exposing them to court proceedings and potential costs.

If a professional retires or becomes unable to pay damages, the City or affected residents could face limited recourse.

Beyond safety concerns, staff note that the proposal removes municipal discretion on a wide range of applications, from development and building permits to rezoning, subdivisions, heritage agreements, riparian protection, and OCP amendments. With just eight staff in the provincial superintendent’s office and no additional funding outlined, staff believe the complaint process would be overwhelming.

The report further raises concerns about inadequate consultation, uneven treatment of different professional groups, and the likelihood of longer, not shorter, development timelines if municipalities are forced to create more restrictive bylaws to compensate for the loss of technical oversight.

Tonight, staff will ask Council to direct the City to draft a letter to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs outlining Coquitlam’s concerns, notify local MLAs and submit formal feedback to the provincial committee reviewing the bill, if it advances past second reading.

Staff say the bill “represents a fundamental loss in local discretion and autonomy” and poses “significant risks to the public and the environment.” While the City supports streamlining development processes to address the housing crisis, staff write that Bill M 216 would create “significant unintended consequences” and reduce the City’s ability to keep residents safe.

Council will debate the recommendation at tonight’s meeting.

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