OHBA / CHBA News
OHBA • Other amendments complementary to Brownfields re- the national framework and promotional materials coordi-
forms nated by the National Office and sponsored this year by
MANDATORY WSIB COVERAGE OHBA is seeking feedback from members to prepare a Home Hardware Building Center, Genworth Financial,
The new Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca, has tabled submission to the province during the 120 day public con- Delta Faucet, and RBC. The CRC prepares a media kit for
legislation making WSIB coverage mandatory for those sultation which runs until early February. Contact Mike local associations to use for special newspaper supplements
groups currently exempt. Bill 119, An Act to amend the Collins-Williams (
mikecw@ohba.ca ) with your comments. in support of Renovation Month and other events.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 would force em- Website: The CHBA website contains a wealth of infor-
ployers to purchase WSIB coverage for independent oper CHBA mation for renovators and their customers. CHBA will con--
ators, sole proprietors, partners in partnerships and tinue to maintain and update renovation information on both
executive officers carrying on business in construction. CHBA Builders Manual - Revised and Expanded! the public sites and on the members’ site on renovation top-
OHBA does not support any changes to the existing Professional new home builders, renovators, designers, ics.
WSIB structure. It is our belief that legislated mandatory and educators across Canada and in the U.S. use the manual, Renovator Membership: The CHBA produces a range
WSIB coverage will not serve to promote health and safety which has long been the Association’s most popular publi-
of information products and services to help promote mem-
in the construction industry and will increase underground cation. This new edition is a “must-have” guide for builders
bership to industry participants including renovators. The
economic activity in the residential construction sector
Council will seek to improve regular communication with
. looking to improve the environmental performance of the
OHBA will be meeting with Hon. Minister Fonseca on No- homes they build.
renovator members.
vember 3, 2008 Some highlighted changes in the new
Corporate Social Responsibility: The CRC has en-
Builders’ Manual include:
dorsed CHBA’s Position Paper on the Environment as well
PROVINCIAL FALL ECONOMIC STATEMENT • More diagrams and detailing on air sealing techniques,
as CHBA’s Guidelines for New Home Builders and Reno-
The government of Ontario delivered its Fall Economic including methods that were not previously covered.
vators to Assist Them in Meeting Realistic Customer Ex-
Statement on October 22. The province is now acknowl- This section will now provide builders with additional
pectations. These documents expand on the CHBA Member
edging that the global economic slowdown will mean that details on effective sealing techniques
Builders’ Statement of Business Values and Commitments.
the province will sink into deficit spending this year
Tax Treatment of Renovation: Current federal tax pol-
. This • An enlarged section dealing with integrated mechanical
was largely due to lower than expected revenues from cor systems, reflecting recent NRCan-supported develop-
icy on home renovation encourages the underground econ-
-
porate taxes, gasoline taxes, and land transfer taxes. The ments, including introduction of the CSA P-10 Stan-
omy. The CHBA has met with government Ministers and
government also revised its economic outlook for 2009, dard
officials to press for changes to the definition of substantial
projecting real growth to be 0.7 per cent. No new signifi- • Motivations to the section of the Manual dealing with
renovation, the registration of all businesses, and clearer
cant spending initiatives, or tax changes, were announced
foundations, to reflect recent research conducted by the
policies for rental rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the CRC has
as part of the statement.
National Research Council
worked with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to develop
Total revenue in 2008-09 is projected to decrease by
• An expanded section on renewable energy systems in
a new guideline for the Rebate on Substantial Renovations
$918 million from the 2008 Budget forecast.
homes
and timelier processing of claims.
Total expense in 2008-09 is projected to increase by
• A completed new section on home automation technol-
The Underground Economy: In addition to pressing for
$132 million from the 2008 Budget forecast, largely due to
ogy and systems – a topic not previously covered in the
tax changes, the CHBA combats the underground economy
higher utilization-related expenses in the Ontario Health In-
Manual.
by informing consumers about the dangers of dealing with
surance Plan (OHIP) program.
underground operators. CHBA’s “Get it in Writing!” cam-
The government has partially drawn down the $750 mil-
CANADIAN RENOVATORS’ COUNCIL – Looking Out paign was a major initiative to educate consumers on why
lion reserve for 2008-09 included in the 2008 Budget
for Renovators…and Homeowners they should deal with legitimate contractors. While funding
plan. The remaining $200 million reserve protects against
Lou Frustaglio’s goal, as chair of the CHBA Canadian for “Get it in Writing” is no longer available, CHBA still
adverse changes in the province’s revenue and expense out-
Renovators’ Council (CRC), was to inform renovator mem- maintains excellent materials for consumers and renovators
looks, including those resulting from changes in Ontario’s
bers about the Council, seek advice on how it could better online.
economic performance.
respond to their needs, and share experiences for the better Contract Payment Reporting System: Intervention by-
ment of the industry. Much as been accomplished over the the CHBA helped to reduce the impact of CRA’s reporting
Ontario’s Economic Outlook at a Glance
year: requirements. The CHBA has asked CRA to develop more
2007 2008(E) 2009(F)
RenoMark: CRC continues to provide a forum for dis- effective ways to combat the underground economy to re-
Real GDP Growth (%) 2.1 0.1 0.7
cussion and promotes adoption by local associations of this place the CPRS.
Unemployment (%) 6.3 6.4 6.4
important marketing initiative. Renovation Data and Market Information: The Mar-
CPI Inflation (%) 1.8 2.3 2.0
Business Tools Renovators’ Resource Centre: The ket Analysis Centre at CMHC produces renovation market
CHBA provides information to assist renovator members in information which is presented to CRC on a regular
Budget ($ Billions)
their businesses. In 2008, the CRC produced a guide on sup- basis. Findings from various sources on the renovation sec-
2006-07
plementary clauses for renovation contracts and is currently tor, including the CHBA Pulse Survey, are also shared with
2007-08(E)
preparing another on renovation contracts. Other CHBA CRC representatives.
2008-09(F)
publications include the Builders’ Manual and the “How to Renovation Research: There are a number of research
Provincial Expenses 88.1 96 96.3
Manage Risk” publication. CHBA also works with govern- initiatives underway at CMHC and elsewhere of particular
Provincial Revenues 90.4 96.6 96
ment agencies to ensure their information products for our interest to CRC, including radon and mold remediation. The
Reserve
industry are accurate and useful. CHBA will continue to participate in these studies and re-
- - 0.2
Surplus/(Deficit) 2.3 0.6 -0.5
Guide to Renovation Contracts quest research on new topics as they emerge.– Advice on types of in-
formation to consider for your renovation contract and Code Related Issues: The development of the 2010 Na-
OHBA is meeting with the Minister of Finance in No-
pointers for discussion with clients before you sign the con- tional Building Code is well underway. The CHBA will con-
vember to discuss the economic health of the industry and
tract. tinue to press for greater efficiency and accountability and
the province.
Supplementary Clauses for Residential Renovation Con a limitation in scope to health and safety concerns. In addi--
tracts tion, CHBA makes direct interventions on specific issues– A series of pre-written clauses for dealing with a
ONTARIO BROWNFIELD REFORMS
range of issues that are commonly part of renovation proj- such as radon and depressurization requirements.
Ontario is proposing regulatory amendments to Brown-
ects. Streamlining Municipal Approval Processes: Through
fields Regulation O Reg 153/04. There are five key pieces
How to Manage Risk its participation in the Affordability and Choice Today– A guide for renovators and new
to the proposed amendments:
home builders. (A.C.T.) Program, the CHBC promotes the removal of reg-
Get it in Writing Handbook – Practical advice on how to ulatory barriers which hinder innovation and add unneces-
• Enhanced Record of Site Condition Integrity
compete with underground operators and win. sarily to housing costs. The CRC helps to highlight A.C.T.
• Off-site liability protection
CHBA Builders’ Manual funded projects, which facilitate residential renovation. – A guide to energy and re-
• Streamlined risk assessment process
source efficient house construction. Accessory Apartments: The CHBA would like to re-
• Strengthened soil and ground water condition stan-
dards
Renovation Month: The CHBA promotes the profes-
sional renovator through local HBA initiatives that draw on Please see page A7
A6 - NHBA Structures December 2008
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