no breadcrumbs Ontario Home Builders' Association: Activity Summary

Activity Summary

April 2005

TARION WARRANTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Ontario Home Builders' Association Board of Directors re-nominated the 8 current builder board members to continue to represent the industry for the year 2005-06. The OHBA Nominations Committee included: Daniel Gabriele, Mark Parsons and Paul Stinson. The builder members to the Tarion Warranty Corporation Board of Directors are as follows:

Dick Brouwer - London
Tony Campanale - Ottawa
Rob Cooper - Hamilton
Harry Herskowitz - Toronto
Brian Johnston - Toronto
Peter Saturno - Durham
Peter Smith - Toronto
Joe Valela - Toronto

The newly revised OHBA/TARION Liaison Committee will meet for the first time on April 26th. The Chair of the Committee is the GTHBA Immediate Past President Mark Parsons.

BILL 124 (BRRAG) UPDATE

Major Changes to Ontario's building regulatory system are scheduled to come into force on July 1, 2005. These changes are set out in amendments to the Building Code Act, 1992 and the Building Code resulting from the Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 124). The changes to the legislation were proclaimed, and related changes to the Building Code were filed in July, 2003.

In response to stakeholder suggestions and to improve the implementation of these building regulatory changes, the Building Code has been further amended through Ontario Regulations 145/05 and 146/05, which were filed on March 29, 2005.

O. Reg 146/05 amends the Building Code to:

  • Adjust the existing qualification and registration categories for designers and buildings officials
  • Introduce new qualification and registration categories for designers and building officials and exempt certain building practitioners
  • Clarify the wording of the insurance requirements
  • Revise the timeframe for municipal review of stock house plans from 5 days to 10 days
  • Allow building officials who have not met all Building Code qualification requirements to perform restricted duties provided that such individuals are enrolled to a Ministry-approved internship program and supervised by a qualified building official

O. Reg 145/05 amends the Building Code to:

  • Recognize the Ontario Association of Architects' establishment of a parallel qualification and registration system to evaluate Building Code knowledge by exempting architects.

For more information, including the text of the regulation and a set of Questions and Answers visit the Building Code website at www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca

PLACES TO GROW ACT

On February 16 the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal released a draft growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The plan is intended to stimulate discussion with stakeholders to provide informed input to a final growth plan for the region.

OHBA has participated in the Places to Grow stakeholder consultation sessions and prepared a response to the Places to Grow Draft Growth Plan released in February. An earlier OHBA response to the original Places to Grow Discussion Paper released is available at the OHBA website www.homesontario.com or by calling Mike Collins-Williams at 1-800-387-0109. The Places to Grow draft plan is available at www.placestogrow.pir.gov.on.ca

HOUSING ISSUES STATUS REPORT: MARCH 2005

The new Housing Issues Status Report is now available. The report provides an excellent overview of all significant legislation, developments and issues impacting the new home and renovation industries. It is a great resource tool to the members of OHBA. For a copy of Housing Issues: March 2005 please visit the OHBA website at www.homesontario.com or call the OHBA office at 1-800-387-0109.

2005 OHBA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The 2005 OHBA Membership Directory will be mailed this spring directly to each of the 3,800 OHBA member companies. The directory is your link to your fellow members from across the province. In addition to contact information for member companies, the directory also includes contact information for the OHBA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Committee Chairs and some valuable housing information. The 2005 OHBA Membership Directory is the little book that is big on content.

ARE YOU THE BEST? PROVE IT!

The 2005 OHBA Awards of Distinction Deadline is 5pm on Thursday July 7th. This is your opportunity to showcase the very best of your new home or renovation designs and superior sales and marketing. Do you think you are the best? Put your product up against the very best in building, renovation, sales and marketing from across the province at the OHBA Awards of Distinction program. The Awards of Distinction will be presented at the OHBA Conference set for September 27, 28 and 29 in Niagara Falls.

APPLE TRAIL HOUSING TOUR

OHBA has yet another exciting housing tour planned for June 2nd to travel through Durham Region and Northumberland County. Mark your calendars as space is limited!

OHBA ENHANCES ESSO MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT PROGRAM

OHBA has enhanced the ESSO membership benefit program. Members can now save 2.7 cents per litre (previously 2.5 cents). To sign up for the ESSO membership benefit program call OHBA at 1-800-387- 0109.

REMINDERS/AVAILABLE FROM OHBA

  • Housing Issues Status Report: March 2005
  • Ontario Home Builder Magazine: Spring 2005
  • OHBA 2005 Pre-Budget Submission
  • OHBA Places to Grow Submission
  • ESSO 2.7 cent per litre Discount Program
  • Ontario Building & Renovation Forum Registration and Program
  • OHBA Planning Reform Submissions

  • -OMB Reform in Ontario
    -Planning Act Reform and Implementation Tools
    -Provincial Policy Statement: Draft Policies
  • Building Ontario's Future: Economic Impact Stats
  • 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