B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The first two pieces of legislation proposed by the premier have passed second reading and return to the legislature today as Eby follows through on a pledge to act quickly on key issues facing British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VICTORIA - The first two pieces of legislation proposed by Premier David Eby are expected to be passed Thursday, despite testy exchanges in the legislature about the government's move to impose time limits on debate.

The Housing Supply Act and Building and Strata Statutes Amendment Act were introduced Monday and could be adopted by Thursday, the same day the legislature is expected to adjourn until February.

The two bills aim to increase housing supply with measures that will end several rental restrictions and have the potential to force local governments to meet housing growth targets.

Eby said B.C. is in a housing crisis and the government must move quickly to increase the supply of homes, especially since more than 100,000 people moved to the province in the last year.

The New Democrats and the two Green Party members voted in favour of second reading of the bills Tuesday while Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon and the other 25 Liberals opposed the bills.

"What a shameful beginning for a premier where he actually shuts down democracy in the legislature," Liberal health critic Shirley Bond said Wednesday in the legislature.

Liberal attorney general critic Mike de Jong said he could not recall an instance where a B.C. government imposed closure on debate within 24 hours after being tabled in the legislature.

"God forbid those pesky MLAs should have an opportunity to ask questions," he said in the legislature.

Eby said he recalled the Liberals using closure to pass six pieces of legislation in 30 minutes in 2008.

"It must have been a crisis," he said.

Eby said he is committed to taking quick action on the housing front.

"British Columbians want us to act and I will not apologize for acting," he said.

The legislation aims to increase housing supply with measures that will end several rental restrictions and have the potential to force local governments to meet housing growth targets.

Criticism of the bills includes concern that housing growth targets aren't clearly defined, potentially affecting everything from official community plans to efforts to limit urban sprawl or address climate adaptation.

The housing debate also prompted the Opposition Liberals to demand Eby launch independent audits at BC Housing and Atira Women's Resources Society, after separate reports indicated mismanagement of the social housing providers.

BC Housing is a Crown corporation that develops, manages and administers subsidized housing in the province, while Atira is a not-for-profit housing provider.

Falcon said a leaked 2018 report by accounting firm BDO Canada, commissioned to conduct a financial review at Atira, found "inconsistent accounting practices, lack of budget commitment and ineffective board oversight."

A review of BC Housing by accounting firm Ernst and Young released last June, found "roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of both the government shareholder and BC Housing are unclear."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2022.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2022