Activity Summary

Each year OHBA conducts membership surveys to help guide our lobbying efforts throughout the year. One survey is designed to gage the memberships expectations for the economy in the coming year and to highlight the major barriers to growth facing the industry as we head into 2002. The results of the survey are as follows:

Barriers to growth in 2002

Tight Profit Margins	61%
Difficulty Finding Skilled Labour	52%
Increasing Material Costs	46%
Development Charges	46%
Increasing Labour Costs	43%
Taxes, Fees and Charges	42%
Over Regulation	38%
Municipal By-Laws	32%
Availability of Land	22%
Underground Economy	16%
Availability of Bank Financing	15%

Sales comparison for 2002 vs. 2001

2001	2002
Increase 51%	Increase 24%
Stay the Same 41%	Stay the Same 47%
Decrease 8%	Decrease 29%

PRESIDENT'S APPOINTMENT

OHBA President Albert Schepers has invited Wayne Clarke from the Durham Region HBA to serve as President's Appointment to the OHBA Board of Directors. Wayne Clarke will be concentrating on the many issues surrounding Development Charges. OHBA Past President Wayne Dempsey has been asked to serve as OHBA Chair for the 2002 Conference at Deerhurst.

PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION

Each year OHBA prepares a Pre-Budget Submission to the Ministry of Finance. Contained in the report are recommendations that have a fiscal impact to the provincial government for inclusion in the 2002 budget. In recent years OHBA has been successful in lobbying to make the Land Transfer Tax Rebate permanent as well as adjustments to the tax structure for rental apartments and new legislation regarding brownfield development. This year's Submission will include among others recommendations for a continued reduction in the many taxes, fees and charges that burden the new home buyer including development charges and increased funding for apprenticeship programs. If members would like to comment or make suggestions for this year's Submission please contact the OHBA office at: 1-800-387-0109.

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

OHBA expects a great deal of activity as the Ontario Building Code Committees are meeting and are analyzing both the proposed objectives and changes that have been submitted. We are grateful to Dick Brouwer, OHBA Past President who is now Chair of the part 7 committee and to Doug Wartman, OHBA Technical Committee Chair who is on the Part 9 committee.

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONE PROGRAM

The OHBA is introducing an appreciation program to recognize member companies who have continued to support our association. The program is available to local associations that choose to participate. For all the details call either your local association or OHBA. You deserve to be recognized.

BUILDING AND RENOVATION FORUM

Thanks to everybody who made this year's Forum one of our best ever. A special thanks to our sponsors the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, CMHC, Rogers Cable and TD Canada Trust. Without their continued support of the association, events such as these would not be possible. The sessions were informative and entertaining, the trade show displayed new products for the industry and the networking opportunities were unbeatable. See you at next year's Building and Renovation Forum: January 15 & 16, 2003

OHBA DIRECTORY

The Annual OHBA Membership Directory is currently being compiled. It contains a listing and contact information of every current member company in the association. Local associations are encouraged to submit their listings to OHBA as quickly as possible. The Membership Directory will be mailed directly to each member in April.

AVAILABLE FROM OHBA

Housing Start totals for 2001

OHBA Pre-Budget Submission 2002

Housing Issues Status Report, January 2002

Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Winter 2002