Issue 34 May 2019

News from the Legislature

Prompt Payment Legislation

The Prompt Payment (Builders Lien) Act, was introduced in the B.C. Legislature on May 28, 2019 as a private members’ bill. The residential construction industry was not consulted prior to the introduction of the bill.

Ontario will implement prompt payment legislation in Fall 2019. Concerned groups include municipalities, school boards, transit commissions, universities and colleges, and government ministries. All will be affected by the new requirements when they enter contracts for new schools, buildings, roads, homes, and infrastructure – all forms of construction apply.

CHBA BC has already shared its concerns with the BC Liberal Caucus, Green Party caucus and the Attorney General. For the statement and background, click here.

Remediation of Homes Use to Grow Cannabis

The Homeowner Protection Amendment Act was introduced on May 27 in the B.C. Legislature as a private members’ bill. The bill seeks to add a certification that homes used to grow cannabis were remediated properly, using a standard and criteria developed in partnership with industry. CHBA BC indicated support for this approach in its submission to the Cannabis Engagement in 2017.

Anti-Money Laundering Reports and Public Inquiry

CHBA BC issued a statement following the release of the anti-money laundering reports on May 7th, and public inquiry announcement on May 15th.

In the past few months, both CHBA BC and CHBA National met with and provided support to Dr. Peter German and the Expert Panel on Money Laundering. We are pleased that CHBA BC’s written submission was positively referenced by Dr. German in his report, where he notes “CHBA BC provided some very helpful ideas with respect to dealing with the underground economy and other matters.” CHBA BC intends to share these ideas as part of its submission to the provincial Budget 2020 consultations.

CHBA BC will be following up with the Ministry of Finance on the specific recommendation to “require that real estate developers be licensed under a regulatory regime designed specifically for that segment of the real estate industry within the Real Estate Services Act”. Members and the public will benefit from a greater understanding of how this recommendation will affect the existing licensing requirements new home builders must follow under BC Housing. In addition, how it would apply if a developer contracts all of their new home sales to a licensed realtor – a mechanism that is already recognized under current FINTRAC reporting requirements.

Workers Compensation Act Review

The public and stakeholders are invited to share their views until July 19, 2019 and attend a public hearing in one of 14 communities across the province. Click to read.

Ongoing Consultations

B.C. Energy Step Code

Members have shared their concerns with the new metrics for the B.C. Energy Step Code that were announced in December 2018. CHBA BC has formed a Step Code Task Group to review these metrics and provide solutions back to the provincial government.

Meetings and Events

Water Sustainability Act

CHBA BC, Homebuilders Association Vancouver, and members held a joint teleconference with Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson and Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations Doug Donaldson on June 5th to discuss the Water Sustainability Act Section 11 approvals process. This process used to be 140 days but now can take years. This permit also stipulates that the work can only take place during certain time windows, increasing the need for certainty and timely approvals. CHBA BC will be following up on the short and long-term solutions with the Ministers.

Meetings with Federal MPs on the stress test

CHBA BC CEO Neil Moody and HAVAN interim CEO Ron Rapp met with MP for Surrey Centre Randeep Sarai, and staff from Minister of Finance Bill Morneau’s office as part of a community roundtable in Surrey on May 22. A key topic for discussion was the mortgage stress test and its impact on home buyers in the province. CHBA Northern BC also met with MP for Cariboo-Prince George Todd Doherty in May.

CHBA’s meetings, recommendations, and concerns were referenced by MPs Sarai and MP Todd Doherty in the Budget Implementation Act debate on June 4th (click to view). To read CHBA National’s recommendations, click here.