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VICTORIA — For much of budget week, the New Democrats were pressed by the Greens to specify how big a market correction the government was seeking in the drive to make housing more affordable.

Green leader Andrew Weaver launched the exchange during question period Wednesday, the day after the release of the budget that pledged to “stabilize” the market.

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“What does stabilization actually look like?” he challenged.

Answering was Housing Minister Selina Robinson. But in declaring how proud she was to be part of a government that was finally addressing affordability, she never got around to saying what stabilization would look like. Weaver seized the opening immediately.

“Between 2015 and now, just three years, the average price of a home in Greater Vancouver increased by 60 per cent to $1.6 million. The average price of a condo increased 70 per cent to $665,000,” he returned.

“Stabilizing the housing market at present levels leaves home prices distantly out of reach for the vast majority of British Columbians, especially families with young children.”