The Municipality of North Cowichan is asking the province to reconsider and collaborate with local governments. According to mayor Rob Douglas, the Professional Reliance Act (Bill M-216) is a private member bill that was introduced to speed up housing development approvals by having municipalities accept technical submissions by industry professionals. But in an open letter to the minister of housing and municipal affairs Christine Boyle, Douglas said the Professional Reliance Act (bill M-216) puts significant restraint on how municipalities not only do their job, but also how they interpret. “We’re worried it could slow down development approvals,” said Douglas. “This would also de-regulate a core element allowing us to undertake our own review.”Other concerns the municipality has about the act are environmental protection and land knowledge and dispute resolution.