Activity Summary
April 2004
ONTARIO NEW HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM RE-BRANDING
TARION Warranty Corporation is the new name for the Ontario New Home Warranty Program. "Protecting Ontario's New Home Buyers" will always appear in tandem with the TARION logo. For more information about the change, please see the website at: www.tarion.com.
READY MIXED CONCRETE DELIVERY
A joint task group consisting of members of OHBA, the Ready Mixed Concrete Association, the Low-Rise Forming Contractors Association and the Concrete and Drain Association has concluded work on a policy to help keep work sites safe. RMCAO members believe that their equipment is being pushed beyond safe operating limits and conditions. As of April 15, 2004, builders and their forming crews will need to assess site conditions prior to concrete delivery. Unsuitable site conditions will mean that concrete trucks will not deliver past the curb, be put into a dangerous situation or a situation where the truck would become stuck and have to be pulled out. Further, pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, trucks cannot come closer than 1m to the edge of an excavation and cannot be modified beyond their design limit. This means that additional contractor chutes can be used, but cannot be supported by the truck-mounted chutes. An information bulletin with more details from OHBA will be circulated to all builder/developer and renovator members shortly.
ONTARIO HOUSING MARKET
Preliminary housing starts for Ontario are down by 17% through the first quarter of 2004. After a slow start to the year in January and February construction activity rebounded in March and all indicators point to a strong spring. The Bank of Canada cut its key overnight lending rate on Tuesday April 13th by one-quarter of a percentage point to 2 per cent. The Bank of Canada said the risks to its outlook for economic growth and inflation "now appear balanced," leading to widespread speculation that the bank may be done with cutting rates for the time being. This was the third quarter-point cut this year.
MEETING WITH MINISTER OF FINANCE
OHBA President Peter Saturno and 1st Vice President Daniel Gabriele will be meeting with the Honourable Greg Sorbara, Minister of Finance prior to the release of the 2004 Ontario Budget. The importance of the residential construction industry to the provincial economy as well as recommendations for the spring budget will be discussed. Thank you to all the local associations that participated in pre-budget consultations. It is important that politicians are delivered the industry viewpoint from all regions in Ontario.
BUILDING INDUSTRY IMAGE
OHBA local associations have recognized the need to improve the public image of the development industry. There is a need for a proactive approach to strengthen the industry image. We are developing a long term strategy for this important initiative.
2004 OHBA CONFERENCE AND AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Watch for Awards of Distinction Entry Brochures and the 2004 OHBA Conference Registration packages that will arrive in the mail in May. We are returning to beautiful Deerhurst Resort once again this year for the time of your life! The Conference dates are September 28, 29 and 30th.
2004 OHBA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
The updated 2004 OHBA Membership Directory will be mailed directly to every member company of the Association this spring. This invaluable publication provides names and contact information for the OHBA Executive Committee, Committee Chairs, Board of Directors and all 3,500 member companies.
ENERQUALITY COURSES
Attend 'Better Houses, Better Bottom Line - R-2000 & Beyond'. The session offers the most comprehensive building science curriculum available to builders in practical, easy to follow application. The session features Tex McLeod and Gord Cooke, two of Canada's leading building specialists. Attendees will leave this session with the knowledge to improve their building product and their bottom line. This course qualifies you to become a licensed R-2000 Builder. Please call Susan Woolsey for more information at 1-800-387-0109.
| Date | Location | Address |
|---|---|---|
| April 19-20 | Toronto | Enbridge: 500 Consumers Road |
| May 5-6 | Brantford | Union Gas: 348 Elgin Street |
| May 11-12 | Windsor | Union Gas: 650 Division Road |
| TBA | Owen Sound | TBA |
RENOVATORS' COUNCIL
On Tuesday May 11 there will be a special Renovators Council meeting at the OHBA offices from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Frank G. Hein of Healthy Body Now will be the special guest speaker, he has been active helping renovators incorporate healthier building technology into their work for many years. All OHBA members are invited to attend.
AVAILABLE FROM OHBA
- Ontario Housing Issues March 2004
- Spring Issue OHB Magazine
- 2004 OHBA Pre-Budget Submission
- Ontario Housing Stats: 1993 - 2003
- ESSO 2.5 cent per litre Discount Program
- NEW Corporate Express office products program
Ontario Home Builders' Association
20 Upjohn Road,
North York, Ontario M3B 2V9
(416) 443-1545
Toll Free: 800-387-0109
Fax: (416) 443-9982
E-mail: info@ohba.ca
