no breadcrumbs Ontario Home Builders' Association: Activity Summary

Activity Summary

May 2004

ONTARIO BUDGET

Dalton McGuinty's Liberal Government will table its first budget on Tuesday, May 18. This crucial budget will set the government's agenda for the future. There is speculation that they will run a deficit for at least a year and further delay some election promises.

OHBA President Peter Saturno, in a recent meeting with the Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, requested that the very successful and popular Land Transfer Tax Rebate for first time new home buyers remain intact. The rebate is an attractive incentive for purchasers and an important element to housing affordability.

Saturno advised the Minister that the residential construction industry contributes $30 billion to the provincial economy and directly employs 250,000 people. He also emphasized that a strong housing industry is an essential component to a healthy economy and the efforts to reduce the $5.6 billion government deficit.

ONTARIO HOUSING MARKET

Ontario housing starts will dip to 77,000 units this year from a cyclical peak in 2003. Housing starts will drop further to 71,000 units in 2005, according to CMHC.\

"Average prices for both new and resale homes will continue to outpace inflation," says Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC's Acting Ontario Regional Economist."

"High rental vacancies combined with growth in apartment listings will weigh on multiple starts and therefore total starts. Alternatively, low interest rates and a bigger pool of second round buyers suggests demand for more expensive housing should hold up better before feeling the pinch of rising rates through the latter part of 2005," adds Tsiakopoulos.

2004 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Watch for the Awards of Distinction entry brochure package arriving in the mail in May. This is your opportunity to showcase to the world the very best of what your company builds and markets.

The first ever Ontario Home Builder of the Year was Monarch Development Corporation in 2003. The prestigious award for 2004 will be announced on September 30th at the Awards of Distinction at Deerhurst Resort in beautiful Muskoka.

NIAGARA PENINSULA HOUSING TOUR

The OHBA Sales & Marketing Committee presents its very first Ontario Housing Tour! Take in some award-winning housing projects in the picturesque Niagara Region on Thursday June 17th. The day will end with a wine tour, tasting and dinner. Please call the OHBA offices at 1-800-387-0109 for more information.

GREENBELT TASK FORCE STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOPS

The Standing Committee on General Government is meeting to consider Bill 27. Proposed approaches to permanent greenbelt protection are outlined in the Greenbelt Task Force Discussion Paper "Toward a Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt" available online at www.greenbelt.ontario.ca. The web site also has information on evening public meetings to be held in May and June. For more information please call Mike Collins-Williams at 1-800-387-0109.

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE HEARINGS

Ontario faces a public infrastructure deficit in a number of sectors, and most significantly in health, education, water, sewage, and transit. There is a need for investment and strategic policy reform to develop new infrastructure and maintain existing assets. All of these investments must be transparent, efficient and offer value for taxpayers' money. There are three remaining outreach sessions designed to engage the public and stakeholders.

  • Sault St. Marie: Friday, May 14 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Stratford: Wednesday, May 26 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Thunder Bay: Friday, May 28 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

RENT CONTROL REFORM TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The Provincial government intends to review the Tenant Protection Act. Since the introduction of the Act in 1997, private rental starts have increased 400%, while vacancies have increased and average rental rates have decreased. The current system is working, yet the government is intent on stricter rent control. The province is conducting town hall meetings to hear the public's views on residential tenancy reform. The government also needs to hear views from industry representatives. For more information please call Mike Collins-Williams at the OHBA offices: 1-800-387-0109.

  • Sudbury: May 10
  • London: May 20
  • GTA Central: May 31
  • Ottawa: June 2
  • Kingston: June 3
  • Thunder Bay: June 9
  • Hamilton: June 14
  • GTA West: June 15

2004 ANNUAL OHBA CONFERENCE

Watch for 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.

REMINDERS

  • Niagara Peninsula Housing Tour: Thursday, June 17
  • EO's Council Meeting Tuesday: June 8, 10:30 a.m.
  • Roundtable Discussion on Home Shows: Tuesday, June 8, 1:00 p.m.
  • Awards of Distinction Entry Deadline: July 8
  • 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