Activity Summary
April 2006
MANDATORY WSIB COVERAGE
The McGuinty government is starting consultations on a
proposal to extend mandatory workplace safety and insurance
coverage to most people who work in construction. According to
the province, extending mandatory coverage to most construction
workers would make it more difficult for individuals and
employers to hide underground economy activities. It would also
bring a significant portion of workers in the construction sector
under the protection of the workplace safety and insurance
system, helping Ontario reach a goal of reducing workplace
injuries by 20% by 2008.
A discussion paper is available on the Ministry of Labour website
at www.labour.gov.on.ca. Comments
on this proposal can be sent to the Ministry by June 30 (WSIBcoverage@mol.gov.on.ca).
Please copy OHBA on any submissions as OHBA will present a formal
submission to the government.
ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Energy efficiency in new homes has suddenly been propelled
into the spotlight by the current Ontario Government. For better
or worse these issues are here to stay. There are 4.1 million
homes in Ontario and wecurrently add 75-80,000 more new homes per
year; approximately 1.9% of the existing total. Furthermore,
two-thirds of electricity consumption is currently used by
industry. This leaves one-third of consumption for the
residential sector. The yearly output for new housing accounts
for just over one-half of on per cent of total
consumption. Government initiatives, while well intentioned,
will not effect any significant change to current consumption
patterns.
OHBA has formed a Committee to review the current energy
conservation options put forward by the Ministry of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, through the OBC. The secondary or perhaps
even the primary purpose of the committee is to make
reccommendations on how energy efficiency and concervation can be
developed and adopted for use in existing homes.
The committee plans to have a draft report by April 15, 2006;
submission to the Government by early May.
DELAYED CLOSINGS
At the request of the Hon. Gerry Phillips, Minister of Government Services, Tarion Warranty Corporation has assembled a task force of industry and consumer stakeholders to review the provisions for dlayed closing compensation in the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and Regulations. The Minister has requested a report by June 30.
| TARION - | BUILDER FILE REVIEW CLINICS |
|---|---|
| Toronto: | April 5 and June 7 |
| Toronto (condos): | May 10 |
| Ottawa: | April 12 and May 3 |
| Ottawa (condos): | June 14 |
| London: | April 19 and May 17 |
| Burlington: | April 26 |
| Waterloo: | May 24 |
| Barrie: | June 8 |
| Peterborough: | June 28 |
ONTARIO BUDGET
Ontario Home Builders' Association President Victor Fiume
welcomed and supported the infrastructure investments announced
in the 2006 Ontario Budget.
"OHBA has long advocated for infrastructure investment, and
today's budget addresses some of the infrastructure deficit
facing the province," Fiume said. "I'll be looking forward to
seeing shovels in the ground soon for the subway extension into
York Region and border crossing improvements in Windsor, Sarnia
and Niagara."
The 2006 budget included several major intractructure
announcements:
- $400 million for rural & northern roads and bridges
- $95 million Brampton transit
- $7 million VIVA Transit Phase II EA
- $632 million Windsor, Sarnia & Niagara border crossings
- $670 million subway extension to Vaughan
- $65 million Mississauga Transitway
- Improvements to sections of the 406, 404, 410, 401, 427 & QEW
| 2005-06(Interim) | 2006-07(Plan) | 2007-08(Outlook) | 2008-09(Outlook) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $83.9 billion | $85.7 billion | $90.3 billion | $94.0 billion |
| Expense | $85.3 billion | $87.1 billion | $90.3 billion | $92.5 billion |
| Deficit before Reserve | ($1.4) billion | ($1.4) billion | 0.0 | $1.5 billion |
| Reserve | - | $1.0 billion | $1.5 billion | $1.5 billion |
| Deficit | ($1.4) billion | ($2.4) billion | ($1.5) billion | 0.0 |
ULTIMATE CONDO TOUR / BARRIE & GEORGIAN BAY HOUSING TOUR 2006
Building on last year's success OHBA has yet another exciting Ultimate Condo Tour planned for April 27th. Please call OHBA at 1-800-387-0109 to resgister as space is limited! OHBA will be back on the road with the Greater Barrie Home Builders' Association on June 1st for the Georgian Bay Housing Tour. Details coming soon - mark your calendars!
2006 OHBA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
The 2006 OHBA Membership Directory will be mailed this spring directly to each of the OHBA's 4,000 member companies. The directory is your link to your fellow members from across the province. In addition to cantact 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.
OHBA AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
The 2006 OHBA Awards of Distinction deadline is 5pm on Thursday July 6th. This is your opportunity to showcase the very best of your new home or renovation designs and superior sales and marketing. Put your product up against the very best in building, renovation, sales and marketing from across the province through the OHBA Awards of Distinction program. The Awards of Distinction will be presented at the OHBA Conference set for Spetempber 26, 27, and 28 in Niagara Falls.
REMINDERS / AVAILABLE FROM OHBA
- OHB Spring Magazine
- OHBA Pre-Budget Submission
- OHBA Tools to Support Intensification Report
- March 2006 Housing Issues Status Report
- 2005 Resolutions to the OHBA Annual Meeting
- OHBA Places to Grow Submission
- Engine that Drives the Economy *2006 Edition*
- OHBA Executive Reference Guide
- ESSO 2.9 cent per litre Discount Program
- How OHBA Works For You
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
