Issue 37 August 2019

News and Events

Province of BC eliminates fees for online building codes  

On August 14, 2019, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training Melanie Mark and Minister of Citizens’ Services Jinny Sims announced that online access to the BC Codes will now be free of charge. CHBA BC was pleased to be invited to the announcement at the BCIT Campus in Burnaby, as residential home builders reference the BC Codes as part of their everyday work.

Image Source: BC Government News Flickr

BC Budget Consultation Paper

The provincial Budget 2020 consultation paper was released this week. This report provides high-level recommendations from the province-wide consultation in June. CHBA BC presented to the all-party committee and provided a submission. The next budget is expected in February 2020.

Open Consultations

Plastics Action Plan

The provincial government announced a new consultation to solicit feedback on plastic pollution in B.C. The public feedback window has been extended until September 30. Learn more about the consultation here. If you have feedback on this engagement, email us!

Ongoing Issues

Statement from the Employer Community on the Workers’ Compensation Review

CHBA BC is one of 46 business organizations and associations that have jointly participated in the provincial Workers’ Compensation Review. This group represents all parts of the provincial economy.

In the most recent review, employer engagement has been especially minimal and the scope of the review has expanded well beyond what we believe was originally intended. We have lost confidence that the review can be done in a manner considered fair to all parties. The Employer Community has decided not to participate further in this review. View the joint statement.

Water Sustainability Act

CHBA BC has followed up with the affected ministries over the summer to discuss the Water Sustainability Act section 11 approvals process and the current backlog. Since the initial meeting, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations has provided an update on action items resulting from that meeting. CHBA BC has requested official metrics for members on the status of the backlog and planned actions.

Speculation Tax

Several mayors are meeting with the government in September to discuss the speculation tax impacts in their region. Separate from this process, CHBA BC is looking for feedback on the speculation tax exemption on development lands, and specifically the section 44 requirements for vacant new inventory. As it stands, projects with less than 5 units do not qualify. Do you have a single home, duplex, triplex or quadplex with vacant inventory that was assessed for the speculation tax this year? Please email your examples to alycia@chbabc.org.

National News

CHBA National webinar with Minister Responsible for CMHC

CHBA National CEO Kevin Lee hosted the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister responsible for CMHC, for a one-on-one sit-down to discuss the new first-time buyer incentive program, housing affordability, housing supply, and more. Minister Duclos joined live from his Ministerial Regional office in Quebec City. CHBA members were invited to participate by submitting questions in advance and also during the session itself, making for a highly interactive 1-hour session. Members can access the webinar recording on the CHBA National website.

New jobs data available for across the country

Each year, Canadian Home Builders’ Association National distributes economic impact data for the residential construction industry at the national, provincial and community levels. The fact sheets reflect the estimated economic impacts of residential activity for the past year based on Statistics Canada and CMHC data. The number of jobs in B.C. has increased from 2017, with 207,184 jobs reported in 2018. View the jobs data in your region at www.chba.ca/impacts.

In addition, CEO Neil Moody spoke with the Journal of Commerce in August regarding the new data and wider trends.

2020 Federal Budget

CHBA National submitted a policy paper to the Standing Committee on Finance as part of the federal pre-budget consultations. The next budget will take place in early 2020, and is often in March.

Other

Union of BC Municipalities Convention

CHBA BC and Homebuilders Association Vancouver will attend the 2019 Union of BC Municipalities Convention at the end of September. This event brings together local government representatives from across the province for education, networking, and to vote on policy resolutions that form the advocacy objectives for the upcoming year.