Q2 2021

BC Budget 2021

 

CHBA BC once again was invited to participate in the provincial government lock-up proceedings for Budget 2021 – the first budget since the outset of the pandemic and since the NDP assumed majority government.

 

The focus of this budget, as to be expected, was to ensure investments are being made to protect and provide support against the ongoing difficulties of the pandemic, while also laying the groundwork for economic recovery. Significant funding over the fiscal period is earmarked towards expanding the HousingHub program and major infrastructure projects that are intended to spur up to 85,000 jobs. There also continue to be supports for small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the pandemic.

 

The province has indicated that in the coming months, they will be consulting stakeholders to renew its economic framework. This is expected to take place during the fall and CHBA BC will ensure it is part of those discussions.

 

 

Ongoing Discussions with Minister Eby

 

On April 22nd, CHBA BC president Alex Tavuchis, GR Committee Chair Matt McCurrach joined the association’s CEO and Director of Policy and Government Relations in a follow-up meeting with Minister Eby. In this meeting CHBA BC discussed immediate barriers to housing supply that could be dealt with quickly in-house at the provincial level. Discussion included the service capacity challenges with local municipal building officials and delays associated with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development’s (FLNRO) involvement in the approval process. The Minister was receptive to our feedback and has asked CHBA BC to provide specifics on the issues so that they may be investigated further. As a result, a comprehensive cross-ministry submission was provided.

Skilled Trades Certification Announcement

 

Parliamentary Secretary for Skills Training, Andrew Mercier, alongside Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training (AEST), Anne Kang, and Premier John Horgan, announced the government’s plans to advance a skilled trades certification system in B.C.

 

 

The proposed skilled trades certification system, like compulsory trades systems found across Canada, will require those in identified trades to either be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice, to work. At this time, the B.C. government will initially designate ten trades from three areas for the Skilled Trades System: mechanical, electrical, and automotive.

MLA Andrew Mercier immediately reached out to CHBA BC following the announcement to reiterate that the residential construction industry are vital stakeholders, and a letter of invitation has been received for the association and its members to join roundtable sessions.

 

These roundtables are occurring throughout July and CHBA BC staff and members from across the province will be participating to share our thoughts on the challenges associated with securing skilled trades for home building, and how a compulsory trades system should be designed to support residential construction activity in the province.

Updates to CHBA BC’s Government Relations Committee

 

With expanding policy, advocacy and government relations activities and growing member interest to participate in the association’s work, CHBA BC updated the Term of Reference for its Government Relations Committee. Changes were made to ensure this committee well-represents its eight local associations across the province, while also providing opportunities for members to reinstate or express new interest for participation.

 

CHBA BC is pleased to welcome the following new members of the GR Committee:

 

  • Michael Chatham, Chatham Homes Ltd. – CHBA Central Okanagan
  • Chris Crowell, TRUE Consulting – CHBA Central Interior
  • Chad Jenson, New Dawn Restoration and Renovation – CHBA Central Interior

 

The expertise and experience these new members have will contribute to CHBA BC’s future advocacy and government relations strategies.

 

 

Spring ’21 Member Pulse Survey

 

Expanding on the COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey completed in the Spring and Fall of 2020, CHBA BC conducted a third Spring ’21 Member Pulse Survey that broadens its scope of questions to capture the business pressures of the industry as this time, and what their provincial association and government officials can do to alleviate them.

 

The Spring ’21 Residential Construction Member Pulse Survey was distributed through our eight local associations and received over 150 valid responses. Key findings include respondents noting increases levels of work activity, with a majority citing persisting supply chain and construction material cost challenges and delays associated with the issuance of development and building permits.

 

These findings will be shared with government officials and help CHBA BC better understand the supports and interests of its membership.

 

 

Canada-B.C. Expert Panel on Housing Supply and Affordability – Final Report

 

The Canada-B.C. The Government’s Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability has released their Final Report, Opening Doors: unlocking housing supply for affordability. Falling under five broad areas of action, the panel puts forward 23 recommendations to increase housing supply and improve affordability province-wide.

 

 

Several recommendations and actions provided by the Expert Panel are consistent with positions made by CHBA BC in our June 2020 and January 2021 submissions.

This would include recommendations that support streamlining and adding certainty to the approval process and having development related charges be more transparent and predictable. They also support the findings of the Development Approval Process Review (DAPR) and it is CHBA BC’s understanding from Ministry of Municipal Affairs staff that additional information on that initiative is forthcoming.

 

COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Legislation

 

The B.C. government has announced its plan to advance Paid Sick Leave legislation. The Paid Sick Leave plan will run up to December and for businesses without sick pay programs will allow them to be eligible for up to $200 a day, up to three days, in reimbursement per employee.

 

CHBA BC also learned the government will launch a permanent program in 2022, and the association will closely monitor the consultation plans to provide feedback.



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