Both the national and provincial Canadian Home Builders’ Associations have been working on your behalf on a number of issues of relevance to the residential construction industry. Here are a few of the highlights:
• Canada’s federal immigration programs
The federal government has indicated it is planning to update the point system for the Economic Immigrant Program to make it more proactive, more conducive to younger workers and more accommodating of skilled trades people – an action the CHBA has been recommending for years.
In particular, CHBA would like to see: revisions to points scored for language skills to align with the proficiency needs for various occupations; more flexibility regarding arranged employment, since trades typically work for several employers; greater consideration given to the experience of skilled trades people who can demonstrate competency in their trades; and a review of the current National Occupational Codes required for recognition by immigration programs focused on skilled people. CHBA has asked to meet with the federal government before the update.
• Annual Meeting of Members part of CHBA conference
The 2012 CHBA Annual Meeting of Members will be held on Friday, March 16, at the Fairmont
Tremblant Resort in Mont-Tremblant, QC. All information, including Submitted Resolutions, Audited Financial Statements and the Interim Report of the Nominating Committee has been posted in the Members’ area of www.chba.ca (under “Your CHBA,” then “Governance Committees”).
Create and Transform is the theme of the 2012 CHBA National Conference from March 16-18, 2012 at the Fairmont Tremblant Resort in Mont-Tremblant. Confirmed conference speakers include General Rick Hillier, former Chief of the Defence Staff for Canadian Forces, Mitch Joel, author of the business best-seller Six Pixels of Separation and columnist on digital media, Sean Wise, venture capitalist and known for his role on CBC Television’s Dragon’s Den, McGill University Professor and author William Watson, who will discuss business opportunities during transformative times and participate in the annual Economic Session, and Dr. Nick Bontis, ranked among the Top 30 management gurus world-wide, and recognized by the Harvard Business Review and Fortune Magazine as "a pioneer and one of the world's real experts in intellectual capital.” Click here to register.
• National Building Code Review
As previously reported, the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes wants your input in the review of proposed changes to the National Building Code of Canada 2010. Until March 2nd, Code users and stakeholders will have a detailed look at proposed technical changes and be able to comment on each proposed technical change as to whether it should be approved, altered or rejected. The Province of Alberta has committed to adopting the national changes without further review in Alberta. CHBA – Alberta is encouraging its members to look at the proposed changes and provide comments or to participate in the provincial review that will be coordinated by CHBA – Alberta and which began in January. Click here.
• The importance of Canadian building products
Recently, the Altus Group’s Peter Norman gave a presentation to the CHBA’s Manufacturers’ Council outlining the importance of the Canadian building products sector to Canada’s economy. The highlights are in a short two-page Altus Group report to the CHBA which can be accessed through the Council’s website at www.chbamanufacturers.ca. The key points are:

1. The Canadian housing market was performing well in late 2011, but the risk environment is elevated;
2. There are both short‐term and medium‐to‐longer term risks emerging;
3. Builders should continue to look for opportunities and bring innovative products to market, but make decisions with the elevated risk environment in mind, and understand that the world has changed.

• Everything in Texas is BIGGER
It has proven true, everything in Texas is bigger. From houses to lots, participants of CHBA – Alberta’s first Low-Rise Housing Study Tour in Austin, Texas saw that the saying does ring true after touring close to 30 model homes, one high-rise and an airport redevelopment.
Austin can be closely compared to Edmonton with a population of just over a million people. It is the political capital and it has a housing market that has weathered the economic storm with relatively low impact.
But there were big differences … tour participants visited seven communities and the model homes averaged 3,200 square feet built on 80-foot lots (the smaller lots) – and base homes started at $210,000 US.
 “Austin was a great opportunity for our builders and government officials to see a very vibrant, attractive city comparable to both Edmonton and Calgary, with half the housing cost, design differences, and different ways to finance communities. We see our own communities and our industry with fresh eyes when we look at what other cities are doing well,” said Greg Christenson, past president of CHBA – Alberta.
• CHBA – Alberta leadership wanted
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) is looking to our members to provide leadership in improving safety in the residential construction industry.  Work has begun on the structure and goals for a steering committee and a working group operating under an agreement of understanding.  The groups will include members of OH&S Compliance and Policy, representatives of the Alberta Construction Safety Association, CHBA – Alberta, and key builder and general members from the industry.  OH&S is interested in the areas of compliance tools, executive commitment and best practices for areas of high injury rates.
• Improving safety standards
The provincial government would like to work toward an agreement with industry to improve safety
subsequent to the results of 2011’s inspection blitz. Meetings with CHBA – Alberta, the province and other construction industry representatives on how to improve the safety performance of the construction sector were held recently. Of importance to CHBA - Alberta is ticketing of workers and accessing data that will allow the Association and members to pinpoint the trends.
• Provincial spring session impacts industry
The province is expected to introduce legislation this spring dealing with Mandatory New Home Warranty. Consultation began last summer and CHBA expects the legislation will be ‘reasonable,’ but still has one concern relating to the owner/builder exemption. Both CHBA – Alberta and Alberta New Home Warranty Program have expressed concerns to the province about leaving a loophole that will sacrifice the consumer protection focus on this legislation, which will be “enabling”, says CHBA – Alberta. That means that most of the detail will be added in the regulations.  “While this appears to create flexibility, it can also be problematic.”
• Municipal Government Act review.
The CHBA – Alberta Government Relations Committee recently shifted its focus to the Municipal Government Act review led by Minister Doug Griffiths.  The Committee is arranging a strategy session to share ideas and plan how CHBA – Alberta, locals and members can share their suggestions with government and make a positive impact on this review.
A first step is CHBA – Alberta staff and board members meeting with Minister Diana McQueen (Environment and Water) to focus on construction and demolition waste, water issues, and energy efficiency, and Minister Manmeet Bhullar (Service Alberta) to focus on licensing of condominium property managers, the Condominium Property Act review, mandatory warranty/building envelope, and seniors housing building code updates.
• Alberta Condominium Property Act review stalled
Progress on the Alberta Condominium Property Act review is currently stalled as issues pertaining to the Act have proven to be more complex than originally thought. Government officials have also indicated that passing the mandatory new home warranty legislation prior to completing the review will result in clearer discussions.