Bronconnier’s secondary suite proposal is expensive and unenforceable says mayoralty candidate, Sandy Jenkins

Jenkins calls for simpler, more pragmatic program
Press release, September 27

CALGARY - While Mayor Dave Bronconnier is finally recognizing the importance of legalizing secondary suites, mayoralty challenger, Sandy Jenkins, believes  handing out cash to homeowners as an incentive to build new secondary suites or upgrade existing ones, doesn’t make sense.

On Tuesday, Bronconnier announced plans to implement a program that would allow homeowners to access up to $25,000 to build a new secondary suite or upgrade an existing illegal suite. The program would require the homeowner to complete the land-use process to ensure the suite would meet building codes and make the unit available for rental use for 20 years

“The plan is expensive, unnecessary and just begging to be abused,” says Jenkins.  “I’m pleased that Mayor Bronconnier has followed our lead and called for a legalization of secondary suites in the city’s new neighborhoods, but offering these substantial monetary incentives will be expensive and impractical.

“Considering there could be up to 30,000 illegal suites in the city, the financial implications are enormous. And, how will the city enforce the program?” Jenkins points out. “They’re unable to enforce the existing secondary suite bylaws now as it is. But what is even more puzzling is the requirement for program participants to sign up for a 20-year rental commitment. That would hard to swallow for potential secondary suit
owners. What kind of response do you think the city would receive under those circumstances?”

Jenkins believes the correct course of action is a simple amnesty for all suites operating outside the code or in R1 designations for up to two years, during which time homeowners can declare their illegal suites, obtain the proper permits and upgrade them to the required codes. With the suites coming out of the closet, the city will derive additional revenue from not only the permits, but also from the increased taxable base in each home.

“This is a problem which has been long neglected by municipal leadership. It’s unfortunate that Mayor Bronconnier thinks the solution should include buying votes from operators of illegal suites with taxpayers’ money,” Jenkins says.

“Even if there are only 20,000 suites operating illegally in the city, the mayor’s proposal could cost up to a half a billion dollars. The city would be better off giving suite operators a tax incentive over 25 years and, instead, investing the half billion in transit infrastructure. If he had done this 5 years ago, we would have an LRT subway downtown by now.”