Ontario Home Builder - Fall 2021

HERE’S ALL THE DIRT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EXCESS SOIL LAW P.41 AN OHBA PRESIDENT FOR THE RECORD BOOKS P.17

HIGH-END KITCHEN PRODUCTS ARE HOT, BUT SUPPLY IS COLD P.61

UNSTOPPABLE: THE HOUSING MARKET HAS TO CRASH, DOESN’T IT? P.34

ARE THE SKILLED TRADES BECOMING MORE FEMALE-FRIENDLY?

OHBA.CA | $5.00 EARLY FALL 2021

On Level Ground Digging into complicated new legislation P.41

Delivery available Canada wide

canadianappliance.ca MANITOBA

Halifax

30 SHOWROOMS

QUEBEC

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

Montreal, Longueuil, Laval, Quebec City, Gatineau

Coquitlam, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria

Calgary, Calgary South, Edmonton, Edmonton North

NOVA SCOTIA

Winnipeg

ONTARIO 1

Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Scarborough, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Markham, Vaughan, Whitby, Barrie, Ottawa West, Ottawa East

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

Unlock the ultimate home entertainment experience Ignite TV™ Any screen, any place.

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Contact your Rogers representative to order now:

1-866-902-9534 1 Cloud PVR recordings and select on-demand content may bedownloaded on a limited number of mobile devices for a limited period of time (max number of downloads and time permitted varies by device). Once downloaded from Cloud PVR, the recording is checked out and unavailable for download to other mobile devices or the set top box until it is checked back in. See rogers.com/Ignite-tv-download-stream. 2 Separate Netfl ix subscription required. 3 An Ethernet/wired connection and at least one additional wired or wireless connection are required to reach maximum download speeds of up to 1 Gbps for Rogers Ignite Gigabit Internet. Speeds may vary with internet traffic, server gateway/router, computer (quality, location in home, software and applications installed), home wiring, home network or other factors. See Acceptable Use Policy at rogers.com/terms. 4 One-time Ignite Home Phone installation fee of $49.99 will apply if the service is installed separately at a later date. Existing Rogers Home Phone customers who subscribe to a Rogers Ignite bundle must switch to the Ignite Home Phone service and existing home phone service will no longer be available. Certain features not available with Ignite Home Phone service, including TV call display, distinctive ring, battery back-up, auto connect, foreign exchanges and multiple lines.2021 In the event ohba.ca @onhomebuilder (activation optional) ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 3 of a power or network outage/disconnection, you will not be able to make any voice call, including Emergency 9-1-1 calls with your Ignite Home Phone service ™Rogers and related names & logos are trademarks used under licence from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affliate. © 2021

Enbridge Gas

Meet your Enbridge Gas Residential New Construction Team — We recognize the important work done by builders and developers across Ontario. We strive to be your energy provider of choice and are committed to ensuring that every builder’s experience with Enbridge Gas adds value. We provide assistance during the new construction process to promote best practices, innovation, energy-efficiency programs and training opportunities.

Connect with your area representative today.

Susan Cudahy

Eastern Ontario

Supervisor Strategic Builder Relationships, New Construction and Residential Sales 289-237-0068 susan.cudahy@enbridge.com

Lanark, Leeds/Grenville, Ottawa, Prescott/Russell, Renfrew and Cornwall

Michelle Vestergaard

GTA East & Eastern Ontario (to Frontenac County)

Garrett Fell

343-997-1509 garrett.fell@enbridge.com

Sr. Advisor Residential New Construction, Ontario-based Developers and Toronto Builders 905-717-6261 michelle.vestergaard@enbridge.com

Durham, Frontenac, Hastings, Kingston, Lennox/Addington, Northumberland, Prince Edward County and York Region

Don Armitage

GTA West & Northern Ontario

Sr. Analyst Residential New Construction, Ontario-based Community Expansion; Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Builders 705-750-7203 don.armitage@enbridge.com

Kain Allicock

437-223-2349 kain.allicock@enbridge.com

Algoma, Dufferin, Halton, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Peel, Simcoe and Sudbury

Michelle Nikitin

416-903-4274 michelle.nikitin@enbridge.com

Southwestern Ontario

Chatham–Kent, Huron County, Lambton, London, Middlesex, Oxford, Perth County, St. Thomas, Elgin County and Windsor/Essex

Gina Mancini

519-564-7943 gina.mancini@enbridge.com

Southeastern Ontario

Brant, Bruce County, Grey County, Haldimand, Hamilton, Niagara Region, Norfolk and Wellington County

Joanne Van Panhuis

519-209-6345 joanne.vanpanhuis@enbridge.com © 2021 Enbridge Gas Inc. All rights reserved. ENB 506 09/2021

Contents

26 In Plain Sight

As the demand for skilled trades increases, the solution may be obvious

41 Can You Dig It? Here’s all the dirt on the new excess soil regulations

34 Defying the Odds Pundit predictions of a housing crash continue to miss the mark

61 In Short Supply High-end kitchen products are hot...if you can get them 9 One Voice In a time of anxiety and change, everybody needs a champion 11 Ontario Report Growing the Greenbelt, pay-on-demand surety bonds, revised Enbridge inspections, the 2021 EQ Awards and all the details on this year’s virtual Annual Conference ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

17 Inside Storey Bob Schickedanz is already an OHBA president for the ages­—­and he may not be done just yet 21 Trending Training Ontario has you licensed to build, Acuity’s light touch, Strassburger windows, Vintage Flooring’s accents, Jeld-Wen’s Tri-Pane and much more

53 Building Buzz Crozier supports its own first-time homebuyers, Curtis takes the helm of EnerQuality, RESCON’s Lyall heads international committee and Silestone’s sustainable new surface 70 Frame of Mind Overseas storage containers offer a simple housing solution

ON THE COVER

L-R: Eagleview Construction’s Kaylee Cleghorn, Emily Doherty and Natalie Wiersma (All were photographed separately due to Covid restrictions.)

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

5

The official publication of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Early Fall 2021 | Vol. 37 Issue 5

Every home will be a smart home within the decade.

EDITOR

Ted McIntyre ted@laureloak.ca

DON’T GET LEFT BEHIND.

ART DIRECTOR

Erik Mohr ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Ian Sullivan Cant GRAPHIC DESIGN

Marikha Saira, Megan Drummond COPY EDITOR

Barbara Chambers CONTRIBUTORS

Avi Friedman, Tracy Hanes, Alex Piccini, Leah Sisnett, Joe Vaccaro ADVERTISING

Cindy Kaye cindy@laureloak.ca PUBLISHER

Sheryl Humphreys, ext. 245 sheryl@laureloak.ca PRESIDENT

Wayne Narciso PUBLISHED BY

Laurel Oak Publishing laureloak.ca

ohba.ca

Uplynk partners with builders to create award-winning smart homes of the future, today. Partner with us to capture the next generation of home buyers.

Learn more at uplynk.ca/builders Next Generation Award 2021

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Oshawa Chamber

Whitby Chamber

Finalist

2020

“Helping Builders Finance Their Dreams since 1974” Project Financing:  Land  Land Servicing   Mezz Financing

300 John St. Suite 328, Thornhill ON L3T 5W4 B: 905-731-111 x 229 C: 647-838-5061 rena@cyrfunding.com www.cyrfunding.com 6

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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Take a photo of our QR code and sign up for digital updates and news!

Ontario Home Builder is published six times per year (Winter, Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall).

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher © 2021.

For address corrections please email info@laureloak.ca or phone: (905) 333-9432.

Single copy price is $5.00. Subscription Rates: Canada $12.95 + HST per year, USA $29.95 USD. Order online at http://ohba.ca/subscribe-or-buy-past-issues CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42011539 ISSN No. 1182-1345

Custom Homes Subdivisions Apartment Buildings Inventory Units Condo Management

Financing   Commercial / Industrial  Special Purposes ohba.ca

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WE KNOW APPLIANCES Collaborating with Ontario home builders to make the kitchen the heart of the home.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

One Voice

CHAMPIONING A CAUSE As elections approach, #homebelievers will need people to step up at all levels of government I ALWAYS CIRCLE September 1 on

my calendar. It marks the fall restart date for many of us­, with summer vacation over, kids back to school and work routines winding back into full gear. But we all know that COVID has changed some of these routines and created some uncertainty about what the world will look like in the coming weeks and months.

But it’s not just COVID contributing to the anxiety level. With the surprise (or maybe not-so-surprise) announcement of a federal election, the political election calendar is about to get busy, with the federal voting day set for September 20, the Ontario election set for June 2, 2022 and the municipal election date of October 24, 2022.

At this point in the federal election, housing has emerged as a top-5 issue for voters. Each party has established a platform that intends to make housing more affordable across Canada. Our Association, through CHBA, will be actively providing analysis and commentary on the federal party responses to the housing crisis. ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

“OUR ASSOCIATION, THROUGH CHBA, WILL BE ACTIVELY PROVIDING ANALYSIS ON THE FEDERAL PARTY RESPONSES TO THE HOUSING CRISIS.” Just before the 2018 Ontario election, OHBA launched the #homebeliever campaign. It was designed to be a non-partisan and values-based campaign to bring people, voters, candidates, political parties and leaders together to acknowledge that the dream of homeownership is slipping out of reach. It sought to solicit pledges of support for more housing choice and supply across Ontario to help all of us achieve the great Canadian dream of homeownership.

As a result, at Queen’s Park today there are more than 50 MPPs that are #homebelievers.

There has been a tremendous amount of positive work done by the Ontario government, including its signature housing bill, the More Homes, More Choice Act. It is expected that 2021 will witness the most housing starts of the past 10 years in Ontario. But even with all these positive actions, #homebelievers are still priced out of the market. As our “Defying the Pundits” feature (p. 34) reflects, soaring home prices continue to significantly outpace family income. And demand is showing no signs of slowing. The elephant in the room remains the significant population growth expected in Ontario, as we continue to be a destination for international students, while attracting top business talent and investment.

The #homebeliever campaign in 2018 helped set a common platform for everyone to talk about housing. But in 2021, it has become clear that we need housing champions across Ontario if we are ever going to make homeownership attainable and affordable again.

Housing champions are the people and organizations that are working to bring more supply and choice to their communities. They include neighbourhood influencers, policy promoters, industry advocates, housing providers, community builders and government decision-makers.

We need Housing Champions at all three levels of government. With the political season launched, this is the opportunity for those champions to step forward and let #hombelievers know what they are going to do to make the great Canadians dream of homeownership a reality. OHB

JOE VACCARO IS THE CEO OF THE ONTARIO HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

9

NOVEMBER 30TH 2021

|

1:00 - 3:30PM EST

Join us online to celebrate the ground breaking impact our family of builders and industry professionals are making.

AWARD SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND CLOSE OCTOBER 8TH, 2021.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS AND REGISTER AT ENERQUALITY.CA/EQ-AWARDS.

The Innovation Gauntlet returns and your vote counts!

Be sure to visit enerquality.ca/eq-awards to see all 25 award categories.

Watch our Dragons Den style event where 5 products or services compete for YOUR VOTE to be recognized as the most innovative solution to current performance-related building issues in residential new construction.

• *NEW* Rising Star Award • Champion of the Year • Builder Achievement • Energy Advisor of the Year • Best Green Marketing Campaign • Licensed Professional of the Year • HBA of the Year • Building Innovation • Low and High Rise categories And MORE!

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Ontario Report

30 Annual th

See You in 2022

Ontario Government is #GROWINGTHEGREENBELT On February 17, Steve Clark, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, launched the #GrowingtheGreenbelt consultation. It focused on extending the use of the Urban River Valley (URV) designation beyond the current 21 rivers designated in the Greenbelt and extending the Greenbelt into the Paris Galt Moraine. The Minster indicated that this could be the largest expansion of the Greenbelt since it was created in 2005.

OHBA publicly supported the creation of the URV back in 2013, issuing a joint statement of support for the new Greenbelt designation with Environmental Defence. OHBA’s formal submission reiterated support for the URV and the proposal by the government to #GrowTheGreenbelt by designating additional urban river valleys to connect more urban centres to the Greenbelt.

Regarding the potential expansion of the Greenbelt designation into the Paris Galt Moraine, OHBA recommended that if the government planned to move forward it would require a focused boundary consultation that is science-based and includes technical mapping and ground-truthing to ensure that impacted stakeholders can have a fair process to determine the validity of the Greenbelt designation. These are important considerations, and OHBA reminded the government of past technical mapping errors that resulted in the previous government having to make 17 Greenbelt boundary adjustments because of the flawed process involved in creating the original Greenbelt.

Since June, Minister Clark has been anohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

nouncing the government’s intention to include new areas and urban rivers to the Greenbelt. They include 360 hectares through the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority in Georgina’s North Gwillimbury Forest, adding 500 acres by including Darlington Provincial Park through the URV designation of Harmony and Farewell Creek, and by extending the URV from Fourteen Mile Creek all the away to Lake Ontario in Oakville, potentially adding an additional 120 acres to the Greenbelt.

During these announcements the Minster has also committed to adding two acres of protected and enhanced greenspace for every acre of land developed through the use of a Minister’s Zoning Order.

In the fall, the government intends to consult with the public and engage with Indigenous communities on maps showing land that could be added to the Greenbelt, including other urban river valleys and a draft of the Paris Galt Moraine boundary. #GrowingTheGreenbelt is a priority for the Ontario government. “I am proud to be part of a government that recognizes that there needs to be a responsible balance between managing growth with protecting the environment,” Minister Clark noted. “That is why we’re growing the Greenbelt. We’re growing it for our children, we’re growing it for our grandchildren, we’re growing it for everyone who comes after us. We’re so incredibly blessed to have such beautiful natural spaces in Ontario, and it is up to all of us to conserve our natural environment. For today, for tomorrow, and always.”

Some things are better in person. That’s certainly the case with the Ontario Home Builders’ Association’s Awards of Distinction—particularly when celebrating a notable anniversary.

But Covid-19 is requiring all industries to be flexible. Consequently, and with heavy hearts, OHBA has decided to postpone the muchanticipated 30th anniversary of its annual celebration of the best of the best in the Ontario home building industry until September 2022.

OHBA pivoted last year, honouring award winners in a virtual format. But the 30th edition of these prestigious awards deserves something special, and that includes the face-to-face interaction, presentation and honouring of the fantastic members who make up our association and showcase their amazing work across Ontario.

Submissions already received will be eligible for the 2022 Awards, should you wish to include them.

We are saddened to delay this fantastic gala and awards program, but we can’t wait to see you in person in 2022.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

11

Ontario Report

ANNUAL CONFERENCE GOES ONLINE For the first time, OHBA will be hosting its Annual Conference virtually and we could not be more excited to share with our association the exciting interactive event we have in store.

Join experts from Ontario’s home building and professional renovation industry for a day of online learning and networking from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., October 25.

Beyond the star lineup of panellists and speakers, there will be two streams of educational sessions, engaging tradeshow booths, networking opportunities and much more.”

‘Building Growth Together’ is the theme of this year’s conference, as we recognize the difficult year that was and how we can all make a difference together as we move forward in the residential housing industry of Ontario.

Please visit CONFERENCE.OHBA.CA and follow @ONTARIOOHBA on social media for updates. And stay tuned to the conversation using the hashtag #OHBA2021CONF.

Momentum Builds for

PAY-ON-DEMAND SURETY BONDS A key component of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association advocacy work since 2020 has been promoting and pushing for the use of Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds (PODSB) as an alternative form of financial security to secure site plan and subdivision agreements.

When compared to a letter of credit, PODSBs provide municipalities the same—and even enhanced—levels of financial protection for infrastructure works as part of a development project. They also free up millions in private capital, which would otherwise collateralize a letter of credit, to deliver more housing projects at a faster rate.

OHBA first advocated for this directly to the provincial government in its July 2020 submission to Ontario’s Jobs and Recovery Cabinet Committee. With the idea now formalized and public, OHBA continued to promote and advocate PODSBs as a key way to help kickstart Ontario’s economic recovery from COVID-19, while unlocking all kinds of new housing opportunities across the province. Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds were a central feature in subsequent provincial budget submissions in October of 2020 and February of

12

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

2021. OHBA also held individual meetings with over a dozen government MPPs to directly advocate for this initiative.

While advocacy for this change at the provincial level continues, OHBA has also engaged many of our local associations and municipalities directly. Since the start of this initiative, OHBA and numerous local associations have met with both elected and public service officials at the municipal level in Hamilton, Waterloo Region, York Region and others throughout the GTA. This direct and strong municipal advocacy has delivered some important wins.

In June of 2021, the City of Hamilton voted to allow for the use of Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds as an alternative form of financial security. Even smaller municipalities such as the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville have implemented them, given the advantages. This is an important step for municipalities big and small to take and displays the forward-thinking, growth-oriented posture that is needed in order to meet their Growth Plan targets.

OHBA’s advocacy efforts will help ensure that local associations have the financial protection they need, while helping get more housing projects completed for #homebeliever families.

Check out OHBA’s Pay-on-Demand Surety Bond Tracker at ohba.ca/ohba-surety-bond-tracker to keep track of the momentum.

REVISED ENBRIDGE GAS INSPECTION PROCESS Effective October 1, 2021, builders will see new internal Enbridge forms and labels that will now be affixed during inspections. The company’s goal through this communication is to provide you advanced knowledge of what forms/labels are changing so that you are aware and informed as they begin to appear.

The Inspection Status Report will be replaced with a labelling process that identifies the inspection status of each appliance as follow:

BLACK LABEL

Appliance Passes Inspection: Enbridge will affix a black ‘This Appliance Installation Has Been Inspected and Approved’ label on all approved appliances.

RED LABEL

Appliance Not Ready or Fails Inspection: When an appliance is not ready for inspection or an immediate hazard is identified, Enbridge will affix a red ‘Do Not Activate Appliance’ label on the appliance.

REJECTION NOTICE

The Rejection Notice will be used where gas supply piping or an appliance is found to be not ready for inspection resulting in an immediate hazard. The appliance will be left off and this notice will not be completed. An HVAC cannot clear a Rejection Notice and a new Enbridge inspection will be required. *The BTag Process has not changed.

Have questions or need support?

You can email Enbridge’s technical support team at Technical-Desk-VPC@ enbridge.com or reach out to your representative. ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

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Ontario Report

ARE YOU READY FOR THE

2021 EQ Awards?

End of an Era All good things must come to an end. The man who has become synonymous with leadership in the Ontario residential construction industry and who has stood at the helm of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association for the past 10 years is stepping down.

Beginning next month, Chief Executive Officer Joe Vaccaro will assume a founding leadership role in the private sector, leaving giant-sized shoes to fill, observes OHBA President Bob Schickedanz.

“This is a tremendous loss, not only to the OHBA and our HBA family but the residential construction and renovation industry and essentially #homebelievers right across Ontario and beyond,” wrote Schickedanz to OHBA board members. “While Joe’s significant contributions and leadership will be properly honoured and recognized at a future date, I want to offer our heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation for his tireless efforts, passion, commitment, knowledge, wisdom and leadership for these many years.”

While he is understandably excited about the next chapter in his career, Vaccaro acknowledges the depth of the roots he has grown with the Association.

“It has been an incredible 15-year journey with OHBA, from that first lunch meeting (with the late former CEO) David Horton in 2004, to starting as Manager, Government Relations in 2005, then moving across the hall to serve as the V.P. at BILD with Stephen Dupuis, and eventually returning to OHBA in 2010 and being named CEO in 2011,” says Vaccaro.

“As David Horton would often say, ‘No job is too big and no job is too small for OHBA.’ I’ve proudly had a lot of those jobs in my time here.

“My admiration and my respect for all of the presidents, chairs, board members and volunteers cannot be fully expressed,” Vaccaro added. “I thank you all for your industry leadership and volunteerism. When asked to serve, you provided the Association—CHBA, OHBA and your local HBA—with the resources and the industry integrity to support our advocacy work. And obviously the association work gets carried forward by a committed group of executive officers and HBA staff. And thank you to my colleagues for the creativity and energy you bring to the important work of the Association. I have been very fortunate to work with some incredible people.

Vaccaro leaves OHBA “to become a co-founder in a new technology venture that will create solutions specifically for our building and development industry challenges,” he notes. “In this new role, I will continue to be a problem-solver for our industry, with some new tools, approaches and resources to continue to make great things happen.”

In order to aid with the transition period, Vaccaro will continue to serve as OHBA’s CEO through its Annual Meeting of Members on October 4.

“Going forward, our immediate challenge will be to hire a new CEO, which will be big shoes to fill,” says Schickedanz, as OHBA prepares to continue its ongoing advocacy work to support the home building industry.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

EnerQuality’s annual celebration of the lasting and positive impact that Canadian builders make through their commitment to constructing energyefficient homes is once again going virtual.

Scheduled for November 30, from 1-3:30 pm, the 2021 EnerQuality Awards will be available online for attendees. Registration and submission details are available at enerquality.ca/ eq-awards.

Awards submissions will close Oct. 8, while People’s Choice Award voting will open on Nov. 1 and continue up to the day of event.

While the Nov. 30 Awards show itself will run from 2-3:30 pm, the Dragons’ Den-like Innovation Gauntlet will keep viewers glued to the screen from 1-2 pm, as manufacturers of high-performance building solutions compete for recognition as this year’s most innovative product or service. The event will feature shortlisted companies in five product or services categories, with five ‘dragons’ grilling participants, as the viewing audience votes for the winner.

For information, contact michelle@enerquality.ca.

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

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Inside Storey general contractors anticipating what their workload will be and, if they have the space and resources, stockpiling materials to eliminate bottlenecks and keep the machine running. And I’ve heard of smaller builders, knowing they need things but not right away, getting them while they can.”

TELL ME THE POSITIVES DURING YOUR PRESIDENTIAL TENURE.

THE PANDEMIC PREZ

It’s been a unique term for OHBA’s current leader

BY TED McINTYRE WITH FARSIGHT HOMES PARTNER BOB SCHICKEDANZ

THE TERM “unprecedented times” seems on the tips of everyone’s tongue these days, and so it is for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and its enduring president, Bob Schickedanz.

Next month at the annual Meeting of Members, OHBA representatives will weigh the merits of extending the term of the association’s leading man…again. Schickedanz is already the first OHBA president since William Docherty (1976-1978) to hold the post in consecutive years. Nobody’s ever held it for three.

In many respects, though, it was fortuitous to have had Schickedanz, a partner at FarSight Homes, take the wheel of the association in the autumn of 2019. Who better to help steer OHBA through the relentless storm of COVID than a man whose temperament is as serene as a millpond?

But is Schickedanz game for a third term, or is it time to move on? ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

OHB: HOW’S BUSINESS AT FARSIGHT HOMES? BOB SCHICKEDANZ: “I said to my

brother Rick a little over a year ago, in the grips of the pandemic, ‘I don’t think we’re gonna sell another house this year.’ Boy, was I wrong.

“We actually didn’t have a lot going on pre-pandemic. We had one smaller project in a community called Beeton.

It’s now sold out, so we’re building those units, battling the challenge of getting materials to complete the homes. One thing COVID has shown us is how vulnerable our supply chain has become. We take it for granted, but when it gets disrupted, all hell breaks loose. You can’t find stuff, and when you do, it’s ultra-expensive. I’m curious when the dust will settle and if there will be less volatility.”

“A highlight was how our association and industry pulled together to find a solution to the circumstances we found ourselves in after COVID hit—to complete homes for people, many of whom had nowhere else to go after being contractually obligated to move after selling their own homes.

And helping the Ontario Ministry of Labour develop health and safety protocols. We kept adding pieces and communicating with locals. Another positive was, looking back 18 months later, how our whole sector had a very low infection rate—a testament to the efforts by members in dealing with work in a COVID environment.”

IS THE WORST PART OF YOUR TENURE NOT GETTING TO INTERACT FACE TO FACE?

“It’s definitely been a low point. I take great pleasure meeting members from across the province. When I began my tenure in September 2019, I hit the ground running and visited a fair number of locals and engaged in various meetings and awards nights.

It was terrific! And then the door slammed on us. And the focus became Zoom and Team meetings and figuring out how to navigate through this.”

AND THEN A SECOND TERM WAS FOISTED UPON YOU.

“Yes, but I was not only willing and pleased to do it, I consider it a great honour. We also still have a family business to run, but my brother and nephews have picked up a lot of the slack.”

SO IS IT WORTH STOCKING UP?

HAS IT BEEN HARD TO DELEGATE THAT RESPONSIBILITY?

“I’ve heard of distributors and larger

“You can kind of do it remotely, but it’s ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

17

not the same as huddling together as a team and strategizing.”

SO WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE OFFERED A THIRD TERM?

“They’ve asked if I’d be willing to do it, and my response has been that I’d be again honoured, provided the membership and board agree to it. My term has been unusual to say the least, but there are others in the heirarchy who have been working diligently in support, and when I step aside it’s their turn to take the role of president. I don’t want to be viewed as an impediment to that.”

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“It’s not just important for the membership to recognize the incoming president, it’s the fact that we’re all kind of rooted in the same base of entrepreneurial companies that work really hard. So it’s also an opportunity to celebrate with your family, employees, trades and suppliers. It’s all part of the journey. So if you take that off the table, and walk in with just a whisper, it doesn’t do the role justice.

“And another thing with my trusted First V.P. Louie Zagordo is that, because of the lack of travel and meetings, he hasn’t had the benefit to acclimatize to the role—seeing what’s going on and being mentored as I was

by Rick Martins and others before me have been. I can’t even remember the last time I saw Louie face to face.

Taking those pieces away makes it a bit more difficult to take on the role.”

YOU HAD ANOTHER COMPANION SHADOWING YOU AT YOUR EARLY MEETINGS—SOMEWHAT SHORTER THAN LOUIE.

“Yes, at Christmas of 2019, my family gave me a leather-clad stuffed elephant—probably a foot high and 16 inches long. When I was assuming my role, the OHBA narrative was ‘the elephant in the room’—regarding the need to build a million homes in 10 years. I took the elephant to meetings when I travelled, collecting as many signatures on it as I could from our local executive officers, presidents, industry leaders, MPPs, cabinet ministers. We ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

had a great run from Christmas to March, until COVID shut things down.

I still haul him out for a Zoom meeting once in a while. I look forward to taking him back on the road soon.

“My last face-to-face meeting was in Ottawa in early March. Days before that I was involved in a skiing mishap—I got hit from behind, which separated my shoulder. A couple surgeries during COVID time, but no big deal compared to what others have had to endure.”

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY COVID-19?

“Nobody close to me, but I heard from a broader circle of folks who had family members who were infected, ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to monthlong hospitalizations with continued after-effects. Just a stark reminder that we all share the responsibility to keep our family, friends, neighbours and communities safe.”

WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN BETTER AT DURING THIS EXTENDED PRESIDENTIAL ROLE?

“I’ve never been a great stand-up-infront-of-the-crowd sort of speaker.

I wouldn’t say I’m quite comfortable with it today either, but I think I’m getting a little better at it.

“And I’m getting better at Zoom meetings—I’ve learned to unmute myself. That seems to come up with someone in every meeting.”

ONE ADVANTAGE OF THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN MORE FAMILY TIME THAN YOU WERE EXPECTING WITH THE JOB.

“I’ve always done a fair amount of travel, since our projects are spread out over Simcoe County and Durham Region. So there have been no council and committee meetings. Sometimes I’ll get, ‘What are you doing home so early?’ The time spent on the Board as Second V.P. and First V.P. was, in some respects, a greater constraint on time than the past 12 months have been.”

SO HOW WAS YOUR WIFE CLARITTA WHEN YOU TOLD HER ABOUT A POSSIBLE THIRD TERM?

“I haven’t actually talked much about the third term. I guess I’d better!” OHB ohba.ca

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Emily Doherty Skilled Labourer Doherty has come full circle, from family projects in the woods to L.A. event coordinator, and now back in Ontario with Eagleview Construction.

Natalie Wiersma Jr. Carpenter Weirsma will be taking the Construction Engineering TechnologyArchitecture program at Conestoga this fall.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

Kaylee Cleghorn Carpenter Also a graduate of Conestoga’s Women in Skilled Trades program, Cleghorn was the first woman on site when hired by Eagleview in 2019.

IN PLAIN SIGHT The industry may not have to look far to solve the trades shortage

BY T R AC Y H A N E S

WHILE JANE ALMEY KNEW there would be many occupational paths for her as a civil engineering graduate, never in her wildest dreams did she imagine a career as a construction manager on high-rise building sites.

“Sitting in the office all day, every day, wasn’t going to be for me,” says Almey, owner/partner in Bluescape Construction Management. “I like the excitement and constant changes that come with construction. Every day is about problem-solving, and the industry is so variable that every day is new and exciting.”

Her five-year co-op program at the University of Waterloo had far more men than women. Ten to 15 years ago, she was often the only woman on jobsites, except for the occasional architect, interior designer, consultant or cleaner. “Thankfully that has changed and we are starting to see more women in the trades, such as drywall, taping, painting and landscaping.”

But change isn’t happening fast enough. Women are still under-represented; of 126,000 people in construction trades in Ontario, only 3,200 are women. Those working in the field say more needs to be done to promote jobs in the trades

ohba.ca

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

27

Stephanie Marton Asst. Superintendent, Mattamy Homes Marton praises Mattamy’s passionate backing in urging her to go beyond her comfort zone.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

to female students in high school and to provide more support and mentorship. They also find they still have to prove themselves more than their male counterparts do.

However, some companies are embracing women in the trades. In the past two years, Eagleview Construction in the Kitchener-Waterloo area has hired three Conestoga College graduates: Kaylee Cleghorn, 23, a carpenter; Natalie Wiersma, 20, a junior carpenter; and skilled labourer Emily Doherty, 27.

Doherty spent weekends in Owen Sound as a young girl “building projects in the woods with my family,” but says she didn’t have the opportunity or couldn’t envision a career path in construction at the time. Instead, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and ended up working in Los Angeles, producing events and working as a talent wrangler on film sets. “But it wasn’t my inner me,” she says.

When the pandemic brought her back to Canada, Doherty discovered Conestoga’s Women in Skilled Trades (WIST), a 34-week pre-apprenticeship carpenter general certificate program.

Cleghorn, meanwhile, grew up with a father who was hands-on with home projects, and she enjoyed renovation TV shows. She loved the WIST program so much that she followed it up with the college’s carpentry and reno technician program. She was the only woman on site when she was hired by Eagleview in 2019. “The men were welcoming. A bunch of them were walking on eggshells at first, but once they got to know me, they figured I’m just one of the boys.” She says she hasn’t encountered any obstacles on the job, but in Grade 11, her high school guidance counsellor told her it was too late for her to join any construction courses.

For her part, Weirsma came to WIST after studying for a Bachelor of Interior Design, but wanted to be more hands-on rather than sitting at a desk all day. “I’ve been with Eagleview a year and have been helping Kaylee with framing. I ask her questions and she’s taught me a lot, and I’ve done a lot of trim work.” Even though she’s the tiniest person on her crew, Weirsma says her size hasn’t been a disadvantage. In fact, she can get into small spaces that her larger counterparts can’t.

“Everyone at Eagleview has been amazing, very patient and willing to teach you,” says Doherty. “I feel very lucky that I got in this kind of groove. Eagleview is proud of the people they hire and have built a good team. It’s nice to know they value their workers.”

Cleghorn is doing her apprenticeship to become a Red Seal-licensed carpenter, and in the future would like to teach the program she took at Conestoga.

Red Seal is also a goal for Doherty and she’d like to find a way to incorporate her business background with carpentry.

Wiersma plans to return to Conestoga this fall to ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

Meredith Toivanen Carpenter Although well-qualified, Toivanen is finding full-time hands-on work hard to come by.

“WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE MORE WOMEN IN THE TRADES VISIBLE SO OTHER WOMEN CAN SEE THEM.”

take the Construction Engineering Technology-Architecture program, as she’d like to combine office and on-site work, hoping it will be the mix she is looking for.

PART-TIME BLUES

Finding steady work as a carpenter near her home in Perth has been more challenging for Meredith Toivanen. After studying architecture as an undergraduate but wanting to be more hands-on, the 32-year-old Montreal native took a design-build course at Dalhousie University, where she got experience in straw bale and alternative building, followed by studies at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont. After working as a carpenter’s helper in residential construction, she took the two-year Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program at Algonquin College.

Despite her diverse skills, Toivanen says it hasn’t been easy to find full-time work. She has done some timber framing and straw bale building, various renovation jobs and also worked at a stained-glass conservation workshop for three years.

Although her boss was “a great guy,” she didn’t get the handson experience she hoped for. “When I communicated that, it wasn’t received well,” Toivanen relates. “It was, ‘You shouldn’t have to do that dirty work and you’re better at report writing.’”

While she is landing more project-based jobs as she makes additional local contacts, Toivanen has to supplement that with working at the post office. She says Perth has a college that teaches carpentry and a lot of graduates stay, making the job market competitive in her rural area. And it’s difficult to get hired without family or other connections, she notes.

“For a lot of smaller businesses, it’s easier and typical to ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

29

MAKING AN IMPACT CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION (CAWIC) The membership of the CAWIC, a not-for-profit organization that started in 1982 in Toronto, has grown to about 200 current members comprising women employed in construction and related fields throughout Canada. It recently launched a western Canada branch.

Its mandate is to increase employment, awareness and development for all women during various stages of their careers in the construction industry. It works in partnership with individuals, foundations, the not-for-profit sector, governments and the private sector to empower girls and women to pursue more careers in construction.

As well as networking and fundraising events, courses and educational workshops, CAWIC provides several annual $1,500 bursaries for young women to study at postsecondary institutions that provide diploma or degree programs in construction-related disciplines. Visit cawic.ca to learn more.

WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES (WIST ) The Enhanced General Carpentry for Women/Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program is offered by the Centre for Skills Development in Burlington in partnership with the Government of Ontario, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and RESCON (Residential Construction Council of Ontario).

Eligible women are provided with the tools and training required to launch a construction industry career through in-class and in-shop studies.

The program focuses on essential skills training and covers framing techniques, construction theory, roofing, door and window installation, drywall installation and repair, blueprint reading, finish carpentry, painting and interior finishes, stairs and flooring installation. Students also learn about Energy Star practices, the Ontario Building Code, and marketing and communications. The program also includes comprehensive construction safety training.

Conestoga College also offers a 34-week WIST PreApprenticeship Carpenter General certificate program to equip women to enter the trade of general carpentry with the basic skills required to secure a position as an apprentice.

For information on what other construction/trades careers Ontario colleges offer women, visit Ontariocolleges.ca/

en/programs/professions-and-trades/constructionbuilding-renovation.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

hire someone who knows someone,” Toivanen says. Further, for older women and those who haven’t had exposure to building or jobsites prior, those attempting to break into the field might be labelled as “challenging” because they need questions answered or mentoring, she adds.

“We have got to make more women in the trades visible so other women can see them,” Toivanen says. “In my experience working with men and being the only woman, they are comfortable with me, but there is doubt. Men have a lot more confidence and can ‘fake it to make it,’ and that can be intimidating to women.

Having a trades program is great, but if you can’t get an apprenticeship, you’re sunk.”

ALL-FEMALE TEAM

One project that has elevated awareness of gender inequality in the industry and the roles women can play is Reina, a mid-rise condominium in Toronto’s Queensway neighbourhood, featuring the first all-female development team in Canada. It’s been spearheaded by Sherry Larjani, founder of Spotlight Development and Taya Cook, Urban Capital’s director of development.

“When Taya came to me with Reina, I thought it was an amazing idea and a conversation that needed to happen,” says Larjani. “I didn’t think we’d get the feedback we did. I’ve been reached out to by so many young girls in school who see us as an example and see what is possible for them. It wasn’t hard at all to find capable women for our team, no matter what field they worked in. They had just never been talked about or celebrated.” (Bluescape’s Almey is one of the women on the Reina team.)

Stephanie Marton, 22, who holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Toronto, is an assistant superintendent in Mattamy Homes’ urban division. She is currently working on a three-building condo complex in North York where she is involved in every step, from the initial structural work through handing over keys to homeowners. She started working for Mattamy earlier this year and says she’s surrounded by a supportive team.

At her previous job, Marton was the only female on site for eight months. “That made my skin thicker,” she shares. Marton says her current supervisor at Mattamy is a mentor, urging her to go out of her comfort zone and let it be known that she’s a valuable member of the team. “I’ve been fortunate to have that and I hope any woman going into this industry has that type of mentor, that rock, who makes sure your voice is heard at the table. I try to be that rock for other women.”

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Jane Almey Owner/Partner, Bluescape Construction Management Almey is part of Reina, a mid-rise Toronto condo project featuring the first allfemale development team in Canada.

“IT WASN’T HARD AT ALL TO FIND CAPABLE WOMEN FOR OUR TEAM, NO MATTER WHAT FIELD THEY WORKED IN.”

every single new jobsite is not so much the comments, but the shock you always see on the faces of people who are taken aback when realizing the woman is the actual project manager,” Almey says. “You just have to keep your head down and do your job, and once guys see you’re capable and know what you’re doing—‘Okay, she’s laid out the budget, laid out the schedule’—they are fine with it. But you definitely see surprise on their faces initially.”

Marton has been encouraged to see more women on her current jobsite, including drywallers, and says they quickly bond with each other. She makes a point to introduce herself.

She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC).

“I attended an event and I was blown away by one of the leader’s confidence and passion,” Marton says. “Organizations like this work and advocate for us. If I’m having a rough day at work, it helps to have an avenue that supports and connects women. The division I’m in was very male-oriented, but more female students are being hired.”

CAWIC embraces women in all sectors of the industry, including those in the trades, engineers, accountants, inspectors and office workers, and provides leadership, workshops and 32

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

networking. In the past year, the organization’s membership has doubled to 200 and a western Canada branch has kicked into gear. CAWIC also offered a webinar this summer on how to start a woman-led construction company.

“There’s definitely an increase in interest and people are modernizing their attitudes,” echoes Acacia Ashick, CAWIC V.P. and a project coordinator for Urbancon. “More women are on sites in the trades, but there aren’t enough. I think the key focus should be on young women in high school.”

Ashick says CAWIC has recently partnered with Build a Dream, a national non-profit organization that advances diversity and inclusion efforts.

Since forming in 2014 in Windsor, Build a Dream has delivered programs that help young women overcome barriers in finding careers in skilled trades, among other fields. The partnership will focus on high school students and will promote STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), including construction.

“Of course, there are partnerships with George Brown and other colleges (and CAWIC provides bursaries), but we need to get those at the high school level,” Ashick says.

Cleghorn wishes she’d known of more programs aimed at women in the trades when she was in high school. “I feel things aren’t advertised as well as they could be and if the industry did that, especially in high school, it would make a difference.”

Doherty believes social media can help raise awareness. She says a friend of hers, a former model, is a home DIYer and has a following on Instagram, and Doherty believes more young women would be interested in seeing female carpenters, etc. on social media.

Social media helped Wiersma get her job after she and some WIST classmates created Instagram accounts showcasing their work and followed several KitchenerWaterloo businesses, including Eagleview. When she contacted them, she got an interview—and a job.

That kind of confidence is critical to both maintaining and growing numbers. Ashick says that while there are no statistics on how many women are leaving construction jobs and why, she has heard anecdotally that a lack of mentorship is one reason—and that some attitudes about construction and trades being men’s jobs still linger. She sometimes hears cat-calls on site, but what’s more frustrating is that she’s often ignored in meetings. Almey knows the feeling and notes a pet peeve­—that being when male clients address her male counterparts but not her.

“It’s frustrating to hear about the skilled trades shortage when the solution is simple,” Almey says. “A lot of women are more than happy to drive concrete trucks and pick up tools and work in plumbing, electrical and HVAC. You just have to seek them out. The industry is complaining it can’t find manpower, but you have to think outside of the box.” OHB ohba.ca

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DEFYING THE PUNDITS Despite recurring predictions of collapse, the housing market has marched onward

T

he housing market is about to crash.

Well, it probably will. Or maybe it will. Or maybe not.

For two decades, both media and economic pundits have predicted the imminent collapse of the Canadian and Ontario housing markets. In many respects, who could blame them? The numbers have appeared unsustainable for years now, with housing prices dramatically outpacing household income over the same period. In 2000, the average pre-tax household income in Ontario was $55,700. In 2018 it was $89,270. That’s a 60.27% increase.

Very impressive! Except that during the same period, the average cost of a new home went from $184,003 to $571,973.

That’s a 211% leap. That means housing 34

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2013

prices rose more than three times faster than salaries over the same period. And note that this was before the pandemic!

Home prices have, of course, soared exorbitantly since then. In June, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported the average sale price of an Ontario home was $857,754—26% higher than the previous year.

Yes, it was more expensive to borrow money a generation ago. The average five-year lending rate in 2000 was 8.34%, compared with 4.32% in 2018 and just 3.26% today. But coming up with the hefty down payment and passing the required stress test is removing potential homebuyers from the market.

“I encounter #homebelievers every day who, like their parents and grandparents

before them, want to own their own home—someplace that is theirs alone; somewhere they can raise a family and build a future,” relates Ontario Home Builders’ Association Chief Executive Officer Joe Vaccaro. “But when the average cost of a home in this province has jumped roughly 350% since the year 2000, the dream of homeownership is dying for many. At the very least, it’s pricing people out of the homes that they want, our of the towns and cities they want to live. This is why housing will be an upcoming election issue.

“In some respects, the affordability issue is simply a matter of supply and demand,” Vaccaro notes. “If supply grows, prices will subside. But we need government initiatives to encourage and www.ohba.ca

“If government is serious about building communities, they need to focus on increasing supply so that more Ontarians find more homes they can afford, and in communities where they can live, work and play.”

- OHBA Chief Executive Officer Joe Vaccaro

support that change, and to implement policies that can make new homes more affordable. If government is serious about building communities, they need to focus on increasing supply so that more Ontarians find more homes they can afford, and in communities where they can live, work and play.”

Such an approach is all the more important given the expected numbers in the decades to come. According to the provincial government, “Ontario’s population is projected to increase by 35.8%, or almost 5.3 million, over the next 25 years, from an estimated 14.7 million on July 1, 2020 to over 20 million

by July 1, 2046.”

The continuing population rise has been coupled with an enduring demographic shift from large households toward smaller households throughout Canada. As StatCan noted, “the 1981 Census marked the first time that one-person households (20.3% of all households) surpassed households of five or more people (14.6%). Since then, the gap has continued to widen.”

If federal, provincial and municipal government policies are not enacted, prices will only rise further. But can the trend continue without implosion?

As the following pages reflect, predictions are sure to follow. ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

35

2005

2006

2007

2008

Population:

Population:

Population: 12.79M

Population:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration: 115,445

Immigration:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income: $69,190

Household Income:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $: $299,569

Avg. Res. Sale $:

12.53M

12.67M

129,785

133,062

$64,500

$66,600

$263,899

$278,492

12.93M

115,051

$70, 910

$301,517

Prime Interest Rate:

Prime Interest Rate:

6.25%

4.25%

5% Average Sale Price

$278,492

Housing Starts

68,123

SEPTEMBER 2005

Toronto Life : “The Incredible, Unstoppable Market”

MARCH 2008

Maclean’s: “Mortgage Slaves”

DECEMBER 2007

Maclean’s: “Buy? Sell? Panic?”

AUGUST 2008

Maclean’s : “It could happen here: Inside Canada’s brewing real estate storm”

SEPTEMBER 2008

TOTAL ONTARIO HOUSING STARTS (APPROXIMATE) SOURCE: CMHC

Maclean’s : “Canada’s Looming Real Estate Crisis”

36

2007

EARLY 2008

2008

Places to Grow Act introduced.

CMHC raises the amortization period on insurable mortgages from 35 to 40 years and announces an interest-only payment plan.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

U.S. housing bubble pops, resulting in the bank crisis.

Endangered Species Act.

Collapse of the U.S. economy; the crisis spreads into Europe.

The Bank of Canada cuts interest rates by 175 basis points.

CMHC discontinues the 40-year amortization term, changing it back to 35 years.

Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax takes effect.

OHBA sends out a press release to counteract some of the negative media attention plaguing the industry.

CHMC requires minimum down payment of 5%.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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** CMHC

2006

*

2005

SOURCES: STATISTICS CANADA,

MARKET EVENTS

ONTARIO RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE PRICES (APPROXIMATE) SOURCE: CREA

2009

2010

2011

2012

Population:

Population: 13.23M

13.37M*

Population:

Population:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

13.07M

105,423

116,572

$69,970

105,020

$71,540

$317,916

13.51M* 101,262

$73,290

$341,707

$74,890

$364,869

$383,681

Prime Interest Rate:

2.75%

Average Sale Price

$342,590 JANUARY 2012

Maclean’s : “What happens when Canada’s housing bubble pops?”

DECEMBER 2011

The Globe and Mail : “‘Classic bubble’ signs in Canadian housing market”

FEBRUARY 2009

OCTOBER 2011

Maclean’s : “The shocking truth about the value of your home”

National Post : “Mike Brock: The hidden Canadian housing bubble”

Housing Starts

FEBRUARY 2010

APRIL 2012

67,821

Maclean’s : “Awash in a sea of debt”

CBC News : “Be very afraid of the Canadian housing bubble”

MAY 2010

SEPTEMBER 2012

Financial Post : “Is Canada’s housing bubble about to burst?”

Canadian Business : “Canada’s housing crash begins”

SEPTEMBER 2010

Canadian Business : “Canada’s Housing Bubble: Why real estate is a lot more vulnerable than you think”

Housing Starts

50,400

2009

LATE 2009

2010

2011

2012

Global financial crisis continues; major U.S. banks start to fold.

5-year mortgage rates continue to slide, hitting 3.6%.

In the Winter 2009 issues of OHB , then-president Frank Giannone writes about negative media coverage of the “housing market crash.” He urges members to take the media coverage with a grain of salt and encourages everyone “to take an active role in voicing an accurate perspective on what’s really happening in Ontario’s real estate market.”

CMHC reduces refinancing amount from 95% to 90% and borrowers must now qualify for affordability based on 5-year fixed rate. HST implemented, raising the tax on new homes from 5% (GST) to 13% (HST).

CMHC reduces the maximum amortization term for insurable mortgages from 35 to 30 years and changes the maximum high ratio mortgage to 85% from 90%. Rates for conventional 5-year mortgages gain 15 basis points since 2010.

CMHC reduces maximum amortization period from 30 to 25 years.

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

37

2013

2014

2015

2016

Population:

Population:

Population:

Population:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

13.51M

...CONTINUED

105,849 $76,510

$402,032

13.62M

13.71M

101,843

89,672

$78,790

$429,949

$83,160

$463,106

$535,461

Prime Interest Rate:

2.70%

3.00%

JANUARY 2014

Maclean’s: “Great Canadian real estate crash of 2013: The housing bubble has burst, and few will emerge unscathed”

120,346

$81,480

Prime Interest Rate:

JANUARY 2013

13.45M

CBC News : “Average Canadian house price up 10% to $389,119”

MARCH 2015

Global News : “Canadian home prices to fall 40-50%”

MAY 2013

Housing Starts

CNBC : “Is the Canadian Housing Market Falling Apart?”

74,952

DECEMBER 2013

CBC News : “Why a housing bubble is good (but maybe bad for you)”

JULY 2016

Better Dwelling : “Chinese media is now warning Canada’s housing crash will be worse than the US”

Housing Starts

61,085

38

Average Sale Price

2016

2017

2017

Smart Growth For Our Communities Act passed.

Minimum of 10% down payment now required for all homes $500K + All insured mortgages must now be stresstested using 5-year posted rate.

In response to concerns about rising home prices, Ontario introduces Non-Resident Speculation Tax, a new 15% tax on certain foreign buyers of real estate.

New Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Green Belt Plan.

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

*

2015

** CMHC

$423,300

SOURCES: STATISTICS CANADA,

MARKET EVENTS

TOTAL ONTARIO HOUSING STARTS (APPROXIMATE) SOURCE: CMHC ONTARIO RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE PRICES (APPROXIMATE) SOURCE: CREA

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Population:

Population:

Population:

Population:

Population:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration:

Immigration: 127,191

34,983 (1st quarter)

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Household Income:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

Avg. Res. Sale $:

14.07M

14.57M

14.32M

98,428

139,089

132,472

$85,900

N/A

$89,270

$571, 973

$586, 600

Prime Interest Rate:

3.70%

14.79m

14.73M

$608,297

Immigration:

N/A

N/A

$705,685

N/A

Prime Interest Rate:

2.45%

JANUARY 2019

Maclean’s : “This is how Canada’s housing correction begins”

Average Sale Price

APRIL 2017

BNN Bloomberg : “Full-blown housing bubble: Economists alarmed by view of never-ending price gains”

$866,307

FEBRUARY 2018

Financial Times: “Canada’s housing market flirts with disaster”

Housing Starts

68,653 JUNE 2021

National Post: “Could Canada’s high-flying housing prices come crashing down? RBC has given regulators a worst-case scenario of prices plunging 30%. How likely is that?”

Average Sale Price

$599,200

JULY 2021

Storeys.com : “Is Canadian media cheering for a housing market collapse?”

2017

2019

2020

2021

Ontario announces the Fair Housing Plan with measures to cool housing market, curb rent increases and increase housing supply. 15% foreign buyers’ tax imposed.

Amendments to Endangered Species Act. F irst-Time Home Buyer Incentive program introduced.

CMHC tightens mortgage rules in latest response to COVID-19.

May: Stricter stress test for insured mortgages.

July: CMHC reverts to pre-2020 mortgage rules.

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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CAN YOU DIG IT? New regulations are breaking ground on excess soil management

BY T E D M c I N T Y R E

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

41

I

t’s rather difficult to build a home or condo without having a little dirt left over. OK, a lot of dirt.

In fact, an estimated 25 million cubic metres of excess soil is generated in Ontario every year, according to the Province, and must be moved off-site because, by definition, “it can’t or won’t be reused at the development site.”

How you classify, transport, track and dispose of that material has received a significant update with the introduction of Ontario’s On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation, O. Reg 406/19. And while Phase 1 of the new legislation, under the umbrella of the province’s Environmental Protection Act, came into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, the details are not exactly common knowledge throughout the residential construction industry. In a poll conducted by WeirFoulds LLP at the beginning of a May 27 webinar entitled “Tools For Success: Excess Soil Regulations,” 25% of attendees had merely “heard of” the new regulations, while 17% admitted they were completely unfamiliar.

While most excess soil (soil, crushed rock or soil mixed with rock) can be safely reused, “some may have limited levels of contaminants, and care must be taken when determining where it may be reused,” the Province cautions,

as “improper management of excess soil can negatively affect ground or surface water quality and/or quantity in natural areas and agricultural lands.”

Under the new regulation, all excess soil is deemed to be waste, explains WeirFoulds LLP Partner Janet Bobechko. “To get out of the waste category you have to follow the specific regulatory requirements.

Section 3 of the new regulation sets out those requirements, from the fact that the excess soil must be dry (with certain exceptions) to being directly transported to either a reuse site, Class 1 or 2 soil management site or a local waste transfer facility. If any of the various boxes are not checked off, the excess soil will be deemed waste and must therefore be managed in accordance with the Province’s waste management regulatory requirements.”

Apart from clarifying if and how excess soil can be reused, the new regulation also aims to: • r eplace or simplify waste-related approvals with regulatory rules for low-risk soil management activities; • e nhance reuse through improved planning for larger (2,000+ cubic metres) and riskier sites (e.g., gas stations),

including tracking, registration, assessment of past uses and, if necessary, soil sampling and characterization; • p rovide greater assurance that reuse sites are not receiving waste soil, and require larger reuse sites (10,000+ cubic metres) to register and develop procedures to track and inspect soil received; • a nd to restrict landfilling clean soil that would otherwise be suitable for reuse at a sensitive site (e.g., school, agriculture).

The new regulation is being phased in over time: Jan. 1, 2021 saw the introduction of new reuse rules, including risk-based standards and waste designation and approvals.

Jan. 1, 2022 will enforce new testing, tracking and registration, while Jan. 1, 2025 will introduce restrictions on landfilling soils.

THE CHALLENGES There will, of course, be growing pains, says Bobechko. “The new legislation is a very complex and comprehensive tool. Each time I look at it, I come up with different scenarios. Advice that we are giving now may change in a couple months as the evolution of our

“EACH TIME I LOOK AT THE (NEW LEGISLATION), I COME UP WITH DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.” 42

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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understanding continues to mature.”

As for industry assistance, “the Ontario Environment Industry Association has been tasked with creating a number of best-practice documents, providing plain-language guidance,” Bobechko notes. “There is one each on excess soil hauling, temporary sites and qualified persons.

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers has also done a guide for pits and quarries—all of these are great resource documents.”

But covering all the bases

will require expert assistance. In the May seminar, WeirFoulds’s Jeff Scorgie highlighted key details to consider when updating contracts.

“Owners who are going to be in the role of project leader should make sure that their procurement documents, whether it is a tender or RFP, include

the coordinated drawings and specifications,” Scorgie advises. “So if your QP (qualified person) has prepared a soil management plan, you want to make sure that it gets coordinated with the earthworks specifications, and that excess soil-related contractual terms are included in the contract. So make sure your legal team is updating your contracts, your QP is preparing the documents and that your design team is preparing specifications. You don’t want those documents to be created in silos, because it could lead to conflict.

Getting Ready to Register On Jan. 1, 2022, provisions will come into effect relating to documentation and tracking requirements for the new On-Site and Excess Soil Management regulation.

A key component of the process is the newly created Excess Soil Registry, which is being developed and maintained by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA), as directed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Users of the registry “will include project leaders that generate excess soil at the project area, owners and/or operators of reuse sites, operators of residential development soil depots and persons authorized by a project leader, operator or owner,” the RPRA notes.

In advance of the implementation of this next phase of the regulation, the Ministry was expected to have supplied plain-language fact sheets on the Ontario.ca excess soil webpage pertaining to project areas (source sites), reuse sites, infrastructure projects and hauling and transportation by August, indicates Janet 4 4

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

Bobechko, a partner and Certified Specialist in Environmental Law at WeirFoulds LLP, and a member of the Ministry’s Excess Soils Engagement Group. “And then for September they’re expected to provide further fact sheets on hydrovac trucks, soil quality and beneficial reuse, qualified persons and sampling, interim storage sites and stormwater pond sediment management.”

Other essential updates are expected to include a revised Aggregate Resources Act policy from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regarding the importation of inert fill, “which would allow some excess soil to be used for rehabbing pits and quarries,” Bobechko notes. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is supposed to be updating their fact sheet on the importation of soil to agricultural properties, and the Ministry of Transportation is also expected to update their guidance on OPSS180 (the general specification for the management of excess materials) to align with the regulation. All of these updates will

provide much-needed clarification as to where excess soil can go and how it is to be managed.”

While the Excess Soil Registry will have public access, “the Ministry has told us it will be up and running on January 1, but not with full functionality,” Bobechko says. “They’ll do testing this fall, then have it go live hopefully ahead of January 1.

They hope to work through the details to help you create your account and file your completion notices and verification checks. Then starting in 2022, they will start on the second phase to add additional functionality. They’ll work on the information exchange with the Registry and third-party applications.

“We’re continuing to encourage them to work diligently,” Bobechko adds. “But I want to stress that their staff have been working very hard to make sure they address business issues as fast as possible, and calling us after hours to follow up. We are all trying to make sure we’re on the same page, so that business and the public have confidence in this regulation.” ohba.ca

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“You should also clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in the procurement documents—for example, the contractor’s obligations with respect to reuse sites, such as identifying them, obtaining consent and complying with whatever requirements they impose. That will be very helpful for the bidders.”

That said, it might be advisable not to completely delegate the responsibility, Scorgie cautions. “If I were an owner or project leader, I’d want some control over that process because of the statutory liability they have.”

Further, “depending on how a project is structured, if you’re going to be requiring the contractor to retain their own QP, that’s something you want to call out in the tender documents, given that it is a unique obligation that may be new to a lot of contractors,” Scorgie notes.

And when it comes to the contract, include Order of Precedence clauses.

“They describe what contract documents govern over others in the event of conflict or inconsistency.

And flowing the obligations down the contractual pyramid is important,” Scorgie says. “Project leaders or owners may want to include some express language that requires the contractor to convey key terms to key trades who

will be performing this work, like their haulers and excavators.”

WORTH THE PRICE And how are these new obligations going to be priced by contractors bidding on projects?

“We’ve already seen some projects where all of the contractor’s obligations related to excess soil—finding reuse sites, complying with requirements, performing additional testing if needed—is part of the scope, and they are supposed to price it as one lump sum,” Scorgie shares. “But some of these new obligations are going to be very difficult for contractors’ estimating teams, especially in a fixedprice context. For example, if you’re asking your general contractor to find all of the reuse sites and to comply with those sites’ requirements, they, when bidding on this job, may not know what reuse sites are available or what those sites’ requirements may be. That can result in uncompetitive bids, or bids with inflated contingencies.

“And what if the contractor identifies a reuse site, but that site shuts down or rejects the soil for whatever reason?”

Scorgie adds. “Or a contractor identifies a reuse site but the project leader/ owner doesn’t like it? Do these types of events and impacts to the schedule entitle the contractor to additional

costs and schedule relief?”

Soil tracking, the obligations of which are about to be enhanced on January 1, must also be factored in. “Owners can mandate a tracking system or purchase a licence to one, and include that in the tender documents.”

Although more time and work before a project breaks ground means more upfront costs for developers, “as a percentage of overall construction costs, those new costs are pretty low,” says Monisha Nandi, Environmental Director with Kilmer Brownfield Management Limited. “When you speak with many developers, earthworks is seen as a part of the project that often comes with a lot of uncertainty and a lot of change orders. So what I hope is that this increased upfront characterization and understanding between parties will actually provide a little more certainty to developers, because we’ll know the quality of the soils, our disposal options and the costs of those disposal options.”

McMillan LLP partner Talia Gordner, a specialist in environmental and corporate commercial litigation, also foresees positive outcomes to the changes. “The regulation makes it easier for builders and developers to remove excess soil from their project sites and deposit it at a beneficial reuse site—particularly when the soil is contaminated—due

“EXCESS SOIL IS THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PARADIGM—IT SIMPLY GETS NO RESPECT.” 46

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

ohba.ca

@onhomebuilder

to the introduction of the Beneficial Reuse Assessment Tool (BART),” Gordner notes. “While there are significant environmental sampling and record-keeping requirements under the regulation, there is also more flexibility with potential reuse sites and more transparency about where excess soil from projects is being reused. This should hopefully create some additional accountability in the industry and make it easier for the regulator to take enforcement actions against the bad actors.”

Long-time residential developer/ builder Jeff Goldman, who has served as the OHBA’s representative on government stakeholder groups pertaining to the new regulatory package, is particularly enthused.

Goldman, who is also principal at soil management software company Soilflo, describes improved practices in this area of construction as “the gift that keeps on giving, with benefits such as lower costs, less drama and last-minute scrambling on construction sites to find a home for soil generators, reduced risks and liabilities and improved environmental outcomes. And the more adherence to good soil management practices, the less resistance from potential receiving sites and those providing jurisdictional oversight to receiving soils. That, in turn, increases possible locations, which then increases competition, which reduces costs even further. And it has the ancillary impact of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to shorter travel times from dump trucks between generating and receiving sites.”

Goldman says the new legislation is long overdue. “Excess soil management is the Rodney Dangerfield of the construction and environmental paradigm—it simply gets no respect.

It has hardly been studied (by business schools and institutes of higher learning). This is big stuff with big consequences, but many of our attitudes and practices are antiquated and inefficient. It’s an approach that can best be summed up by expressions like, ‘What the heck, it’s only dirt.’ Or the idea that there is a lot of ‘fill to get rid of’ in order to achieve a built form.

Soil gets considered an inconvenient 48

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

MAKING THE CONNECTION It’s a dirty job, but someone had to do it. So Emma Kirwin and Asad Jalib did.

With Phase II of the On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation 406/19 coming into effect as of January 1, 2022, Kirwin and Jalib have teamed up to help builders and contractors both inexpensively acquire and distribute that excess soil.

With their newly minted start-up DirtMarket, the duo of Brock University graduates are promoting soil reuse by connecting nearby dump and fill sites that meet each other’s needs. Although the company only launched in January 2021, there are more than 900 users already on the platform, including several OHBA members and over 200 active soil reuse and receiving sites.

“We provide people with a buffet of options for reuse opportunities and receiving sites so that they can find the most cost-effective receiving site for their excess soil,” explains Kirwin, co-founder and V.P. of Growth at DirtMarket. “We have users from a variety of disciplines, including government agencies, land development, excavation, transportation and landfill sites.

“It’s a paid subscription model for soil generators,” Kirwin notes. “Soil generators can message and request quotes from nearby soil receiving and reuse sites. They can price their jobs based on the nearest and most cost-effective option. At this time we don’t charge soil receiving and reuse sites for engaging on the platform.”

Along with fellow founder and Chief Technical Officer Jalib, who graduated from Brock in 2020, the twosome captured top spot at the 2021 Monster Pitch Competition, a Dragons’ Den-like event hosted by the Brock University Innovation Group.

Jalib is familiar with the topic, having personally seen the effects of an illegal dumping of 10 loads of soil on his father’s construction site in Vaughan.

Fresh out of Brock University, a start-up created by Emma Kirwin and Asad Jalib is helping soil generators easily hook up with receiving and reuse sites.

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ONTARIO HOME BUILDER 2021PM 49 8/10/2021FALL 2:55:14

THE TRUCK STOPS HERE Got a large, vacant site awaiting development?

You’re probably about to be the owner of a lot of dirt, given that illegal dumping has almost been an epidemic of its own in recent years.

“We have had experience with a site that was gated and locked. There were jersey barriers at the gates, and yet still people showed up one day, and within the course of 24 hours dumped more than 100 truckloads onto the site,” shares Monisha Nandi of Kilmer Brownfield Management Ltd. Along with the eyesore comes the time and expense of removing the waste. “In our case, it was mixed debris—geotechnically unsuitable materials that had to be separated. The cost of removing

obstacle to a construction project rather than an integral component, which, combined with an industry that is tradition-bound and often resistant to change, leaves us stuck in a tableau where Fred Flintstone would feel right at home!

“And administration and management? Don’t get me started,” Goldman continues. “What other billion-dollar industry do you know of that still uses a tri-copy paper ticket system for tracking product and financial reconciliation?”

TRANSPARENCY Whatever further questions arise, Nandi expects a quick and clear response from the government.

“The Ministry of the Environment

soil can be roughly $5 a ton to $50 a ton or more, depending on its geotechnical and environmental quality. So for 100 truckloads, at 20 tons a truck, you could be looking at $100,000.”

“The worst cases are always where the illegally dumped soil is contaminated,” echoes Talia Gordner, a Partner at McMillan LLP, specializing in the environment and corporate commercial litigation. “Placing soil where it shouldn’t be is one thing, but dealing with the consequences of contaminated soil and potential leaching at the property can significantly exacerbate the harm.”

Nandi isn’t sure that the new legislation will have any effect on such transgressions, but admits “the Ministry of the Environment did, in concert with these regulations over the last few years, make some complementary regulatory changes that were intended to give them some enforcement teeth when it comes to illegal dumping.”

has been consulting with the industry on this particular set of regulations for nearly a decade, and they have always made themselves available and been very transparent in answering questions on this file,” she says.

“There does seem to be an air of collaboration with the industry to make sure things work.”

Any advice for project leaders? “The most important thing we’ve learned so far during our consultations is building a team—making sure you have clear communication and that you have the right people on your team, from your QPs down to your contractors, lawyers and insurers,” Bobechko suggests.

“And plan early. Even though all the regulatory requirements are not yet in force, we are recommending to people

“THERE DOES SEEM TO BE AN AIR OF COLLABORATION WITH THE INDUSTRY TO MAKE SURE THINGS WORK.” 50

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

that they do the soil characterization testing now, because you are going to be asked for it by reuse sites who must consent in writing to the excess soil being brought to their sites.

“Don’t forget that there may also be municipal requirements, bylaws and local instruments that may have different or additional requirements that have to be met. The movement of excess soil may also attract civil liability as well as contractual liability—which is why we as lawyers like to document, document, document, so that you have evidence showing that you have complied with the various requirements.”

And what if you don’t play by the rules? “One of the big sticks that the Ministry has is an administrative order, which can include a waste removal order,” Bobechko says. “So if, in the process of moving excess soil from your project area to a reuse site or somewhere else in between, you have not followed the regulatory requirements properly or can’t document them, your material may actually be ruled as waste. And that means that the Ministry can issue an order against both the generator of the excess soil and any of the parties that are receiving it. That’s a big stick!” OHB ohba.ca

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Building Buzz NEWS AND MOVES FROM THE INDUSTRY

Crozier President Nick Mocan (left) and founder/CEO Chris Crozier.

NEW CROZIER PROGRAM SUPPORTS EMPLOYEE HOMEBUYERS Employee incentive promises up to $20,000 toward first-home down payment C.F. Crozier & Associates Inc., a leader in land development engineering, has launched the First-Time Home Buyers’ Assistance Program, which gifts up to $20,000 per employee to help fund the down payment on the purchase of their first home. The program is designed to address the evolving needs of employees and help remove the barriers to homeownership.

“We have seen first-hand the increasing demand for residential development and the frustrating situations our employees find ohba.ca

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themselves in, such as extreme bidding wars, when trying to buy their first home in today’s market,” said Crozier President Nick Mocan.

“We established the First-Time Home Buyers’ Assistance Program as a creative way to help make homeownership a reality for our employees, because we strongly believe that their personal growth is as important as their career growth.”

Created with the Government of Canada’s Home Buyers’ Plan in mind, Crozier’s First-Time Home Buyers’ Assistance Program is part of the

company’s ongoing investment to enhance its employee experience. Any full-time employee who is purchasing their first home and has been with the company for a minimum of one year is eligible for the program.

Employees can receive up to $20,000 based on their tenure and salary, and must remain with the company for at least three years afterward.

Crozier also offers various scholarships and mentorship initiatives to foster employee development and support the company’s ongoing expansion.

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APPOINTMENTS

RESCON BOSS LYALL TO HEAD INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COMMITEEE

Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), has been appointed to a steering committee of the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) that will oversee a research project that will look at the potential benefits of using a hybrid of steel and timber in high-rise buildings.

Lyall joins four other steering committee members from the U.S. and Italy that will guide research activities and assist in the collection and interpretation of case study information. At the end of the two-year project, a guide for stakeholders will be published that will influence the future of the building industry.

“I am extremely honoured to be appointed to this special committee that will be doing ground-breaking research into how timber and steel can be used in the construction of tall buildings,” said Lyall. “This is critically important work, as the industry is looking at more sustainable construction methods, which is driving interest in mass timber, not only because of its lower carbon footprint in production, but because of its ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere as it grows.”

The research project, officially called The Future Potential of SteelTimber Composite Structures, will study the design, life-cycle cost, and 54

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

environmental and market benefits of using steel-timber composite structures. The CTBUH received a grant from Constructsteel, the steel construction marketdevelopment program of the World Steel Association, to conduct the research.

Completion date for the project is June 2023.

“The adoption of mass timber is still in its infancy, with buildings as high as 20 storeys being achieved so far,” said Lyall. “In future, timber will need to be used with other materials such as steel to achieve greater building heights. This research will further that cause and provide greater insight.”

Lyall is also on a Future Timber City research project of the CTBUH, which is looking at the design, technologies, construction and planning needs to build a future mass timber community.

APPOINTMENTS

MONICA CURTIS TAKES HELM AT ENERQUALITY

market experience working with governments, utilities, businesses and organizations to improve energy use. Most recently, she served as CEO of Energy Efficiency Alberta, where the agency achieved $952 million in economic growth for the province in just over three years. As Executive V.P. of Strategic Development and Energy Finance Solutions with Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp., she oversaw the delivery of residential building science training, contractordelivered energy efficiency programs and efficiency financing for electric and natural gas utilities and governments across the U.S. Recognized as one of Canada’s Clean 50 in 2020, she participates in advisory board and expert panels ranging from the Climate Innovation Fund (a Low-Carbon Cities Canada Initiative) to Efficiency Canada and Red Deer College’s Alternative Energy Lab. “As a client, market and peoplefocused leader, (Monica) will be instrumental in driving new value creation for the benefit of EnerQuality, our clients, partners, sponsors and Canadian homeowners,” noted Connie Carras, Chair of EnerQuality Corporation’s Board of Directors.

APPOINTMENTS

BELL NAMED TO NATIONAL POST AT OS&B EnerQuality Corporation has announced the appointment of Ms. Monica Curtis, an industry-recognized energy efficiency champion, as its new president and CEO. Curtis joins EnerQuality at a time when demand for demonstrating superior building performance and for workforce development supporting net-zero and emerging technologies is creating opportunities to reimagine services and delivery.

Curtis brings more than 25 years of Canadian and U.S.

OS&B has appointed Kristy Bell to the position of Canadian National Sales Manager.

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maintained a focus on the wholesale plumbing channel, specializing in drainage, fixtures and custom showers. She has participated on various council roles through the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), currently serving as a council member on the YES Committee for Young Executives.

In her new role, she will be responsible for all Canadian plumbing wholesale sales of OS&Bbranded products, the Bronte Collection portfolio of distribution products, as well as Oasis Water Distribution products

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or rigid core), the wear layer, as well as whether wood or stone visuals can be found inside. The library is easily accessible on the company’s commercial website and aims to bridge the gap between design professionals working from home and those in the office.

“The user simply clicks to open a folder and finds a swatch of each colour in the range, a layered diagram, the product design inspiration and technical information all in one location,” explains Milton Goodwin, V.P. of Commercial Sales. “For design professionals working from home or on the go, we want to continue to support them with the tools needed to easily specify our products.”

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The Cosentino Group has reached a milestone within the quartz surface industry with the development of the exclusive HybriQ and HybriQ+ technology for Silestone surfaces.

HybriQ technology involves a more ‘circular economy’ production process, where the presence of crystalline silica is significantly reduced.

Going a step further, HybriQ+ is made with a mínimum of 20% recycled materials, such as glass.

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to the health and safety” of Cosentino’s value chain, the company notes, by focusing on the people directly involved in the production process.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

A NEXT GEN DEVELOPMENT FOR OWENS CORNING

The company that invented fibreglass insulation, has announced its latest advancement: Pink Next Gen Fiberglas insulation. “Featuring advanced fibre technology, this superior insulation solution enables up to 23% faster installation compared to the our existing products,” Owens Corning notes.

Next Gen’s advanced fibre technology creates a tightly woven network of soft, fine fibres to form a superresilient blanket of insulating micropockets. Leveraging several new innovations, it is safe for installers and residents and reportedly faster to install than competitive insulation products and spray foam insulation.

Because no hazardous chemicals are required to be mixed on the install site, there is less potential for human error, increasing peace of mind for installers and residents.

The product is designed to meet building codes and help professionals manage through tight labour timelines and budgets by reducing install time. It also enables insulation of up to 161 more homes per year (based on 1,457 sq. ft. insulated cavity area), the company notes. Features include exceptional product recovery and improved stiffness ohba.ca

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FORMICA ANNOUNCES NEW SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

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“Consumers are seeking surfacing options that are better for the planet, and we are laying out a clear and aggressive action plan to meet their expectations,” said Mitch Quint, president of Formica Corporation North America.

As part of its goal, Formica aims for a midpoint benchmark of a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions and 10% reduction in primary energy demand by 2026. In addition, the company will pursue a 5% reduction of its water footprint in the next five years.

Alongside its goal to achieve net carbon neutrality, Formica will publish its environmental impact data every year, along with its targets and initiatives for the coming year.

The 2021 Sustainability Position Paper—as well as information about third-party product certifications, sample recycling programs and laminates made from recycled materials—can be viewed at formica. ohba.ca

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com/en-ca/campaigns/sustainability.

In Canada, the company has already implemented several sustainability initiatives, including establishing the Green team, which helps find opportunities for green improvement initiatives throughout the company.

RENO TRENDS

EVERYBODY INTO THE POOL! Amid a surge of renovations, swimming pools proved a hugely popular home improvement in 2020, according to analysis of Ontario building permits. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which tracks property data across the province, counted 6,796 swimming pool permits issued in 2020, an increase of 53.2% over the previous year.

“Swimming pools are obviously a significant investment, and many property owners evidently decided to take the plunge during the pandemic,” says Carmelo Lipsi, MPAC V.P. and Chief Operating Officer. “This is another indication that people were very focused on their homes in 2020­­—perhaps because public health restrictions necessitated spending more time at home.”

The swimming pool spike in 2020 was in stark contrast to the previous two years, which saw sinking numbers: decreases of 14% in 2018 (4,584 permits) and another 3.2% in 2019 (4,437 permits).

Ottawa took Ontario’s swimming pool crown in 2020, issuing 936 permits, a 57% increase from the previous year and more than double any other municipality. Hamilton was next with 428 permits, followed by London (266) and Burlington (202).

Percentage-wise, Milton far eclipsed everyone else, with a 1,550% increase (165 permits, compared to 10 in 2019).

“Time will tell if this was a one-time blip, or swimming pools will continue to be a popular upgrade to residential properties” Lipsi says. OHB ohba.ca

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The prestigious Monolith Column Collection is the culmination of Liebherr’s expertise in cooling solutions. The latest luxury design includes 18” and 24” wine columns and features InfinitySwipe, which allows you to control up to three temperature zones on a single 3.5” touch screen. Choosing the right preservation system for both your refrigerator/freezer and your wine columns can make all the difference and it starts with Liebherr appliances, offering the ultimate in quality, design and innovation.

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High-end kitchen products are hot, but shipping delays are chilling

BY T E D M c I N T Y R E LIFE SEEMS TO BE inching its way back to normal in many quadrants of society, but like a passing hurricane, COVID-19 has left a trail of wreckage in its wake.

How serious is the situation for the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA)? The national body put out a press release in July, requesting “that consumers and builders please bear with our industry partners and consider these key points as we work together to provide products and services to the Canadian and U.S. markets: supply chain disruption on a global scale; increased demand for renovations and products for the home; the ongoing skilled labour shortage; as well as Covid-19 health ohba.ca

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and safety protocols.”

The supply issues “led industry suppliers to create allocation programs to best manage the flow of limited supply to keep our industry functioning,” the release noted. “As a result, materials such as MDF, white melamine and hardware are in limited supply. These materials are normally readily available and our industry is having to adapt to longer lead times and increased planning in order to deliver on projects.”

And increased demand will “continue while real estate prices remain high and borrowing remains low,” the CKCA predicts, with “other influencers including aging-in-place and infrastructure investments

by other countries, including the U.S., putting demand on building materials.”

Additionally, labour shortages have been “exacerbated by the slowdown in immigration into Canada of skilled workers,” the association observes.

“Companies have responded by adding more shifts and overtime. However, this causes increased labour costs and is not sustainable long-term.”

“In my 30-plus years in this industry I have never seen these kinds of challenges,” says CKCA President Heidi Boudreault, who notes that Covid protocols have exacerbated the issue, “adding more operational load and cost.”

“We do not have any new materials ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

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Product Focus

Retailers continue to increase end-user pricing to offset raw material increases from their vendors. Retailers report the highest average price increases for refrigerators and ranges/ stoves at 12% and 11%, respectively. , Supply chain disruptions continue to put inflationary pressure on kitchen and bathroom products.

Average Price Increase In Products 14%

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A surge in remodelling and new construction demand compounds the building and construction segment backlog. Sixty-seven percent of firms report a backlog of three months or more, and of that, 21% have a backlog extending through 2021.

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right now. We are just trying to hang on by our fingernails and get our manufacturing and supply chain back to normal,” one Ontario kitchen design firm lamented anonymously.

“The past year has been devastating on our production. With the lack of materials, extreme delays, constant shutdowns and working conditions, we have only been focusing on completing our customers’ orders.

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0%

1 month backlog

2 months backlog

3 months backlog

We have not looked at introducing any new products. “In fact, it’s the opposite—we have been reducing our product offering due to supply issues and labour shortages.”

OHBA Renovation Council Chair Jamie Adam is among those contending with delays. “What used to be 10 weeks lead time for new cabinets has quickly turned into close to 20 weeks, with price increases

4 months backlog

5 months backlog

6+ months backlog

of 15% for supplied and installed kitchens,” Adam says. “And kitchen appliances are all over the place. Some are still readily available, but it seems anything other than the standard is taking an extra-long time. We have one client who is still waiting for their new stove six months after we completed her kitchen! And plumbing fixtures are beginning to experience the same delays.” ohba.ca

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Product Focus Canadian Appliance Source cites an increased popularity of premium products, including this 36” ‘Passion Red’ KitchenAid Dual Fuel Range.

While material prices have increased across the board, “framing materials are more than double the costs of a year ago,” Adam notes.

“With all the news about crashing lumber prices at the end of July, clients started wondering if their reno will cost less, but we haven’t seen any price reduction yet at the cash register!”

Sam Beninato, owner of Toronto renovation specialist renoWow!, has had a similar experience. “The backlog I’m seeing for kitchen product vendors/manufacturers is now running 18 weeks—up from the usual 12—from the order confirmation date,” Beninato shares.

“For appliances, it’s all over the map, from right-on-time (big box store warehouses are now well stocked for everyday appliances) to the usual three-month backorder for 64

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

the specialty products and fashion colours, like a $20,000 Dolce & Gabbana gas range.

“It’s the wild west right now in my line of business,” Beninato says.

“Regular construction materials, such as wood studs, plywood and cement board, have gone up 15-30%, with some vendors limiting supplies to preferred customers, as they’re experiencing supply chain shortages.

And basic plumbing fittings and installation supplies have been heavily affected due to both the current COVID situation and the earlier hurricane/weather-related disasters in the U.S., with the rebuilds there buying up whatever is available.”

The most recent Kitchen & Bath Market Index speaks to the turmoil south of the border. “Rising vaccination rates, coupled with

easing stay-at-home orders drives economic confidence and continuation of previously postponed projects,” the latest Index notes. However, “surging demand amidst continued supply chain disruptions, further affected by the Suez Canal incident and overall port congestion, spurred exponential price increases across all raw materials.”

That’s led to a first-place tie between materials costs and supply chain disruptions “for the #1 industry challenge in 2021, as industry segments struggle to maintain profit margins against inflating prices,” KBMI notes. The availability of skilled labourers is close behind in third spot.

THE GOOD NEWS

On the positive side, high demand means business is brisk. And the scope of projects is increasing, ohba.ca

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Product Focus according to the KBMI, which reports “61% of design firms record larger project scopes, 34% no change and only 5% lower than prior to March 2020.”

Part of that might owe to the trend of frustrated consumers “foregoing repairs due to lengthy delays and buying new,” suggests Andrei Pal of Canadian Appliance Source.

But for the most part, bigger budgets are primarily being driven by a desire for personalization, Pal indicates. “We are finding homeowners who not only want their kitchens to be functional but also as stylish and personalized as possible. This means everything from all matte-white appliances to graphite steel. We’re also seeing a lot of experimenting with bright, bold colours.”

Appliance Canada has noted an uptick of more luxurious purchases.

“Builders are beginning to see the value in upscale appliances and are bringing this versatility to their project designs,” notes Appliance Canada Marketing Manager Irene Charbonneau. “Brands such as Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Gaggenau and Thermador are becoming commonplace in higher-end projects that are strategically marketed to a demographic that appreciates the finer things in life. Some builders are also contemplating unique, customizable appliances such as BlueStar and La Cornue, or the ability to extend your outdoor cooking aesthetics with matching indoor appliances featured in lines such as Hestan.”

Speaking of outdoors, Appliance Canada is now featuring the chic, state-of-the-art Dometic Mobar 550S. “The first of its kind, it’s an outdoor mobile bar with a ‘rotomoulded’ basket, dual-zone refrigerator and stainless-steel exterior,” Charbonneau explains.

Bosch’s Refreshment Center fridge is also making waves, with an easyto-view, easy-to-reach glass display drawer that can house up to 17 wine bottles, along with pre-programmed 66

ONTARIO HOME BUILDER FALL 2021

The chic Dometic Mobar 550S, with a dual-zone refrigerator, puts an exclamation mark on outdoor entertaining.

SUSTAINABLE FLOORING IS A Breeze While the kitchen space is increasingly dominated by the gleam of appliances and surfaces, there is always an opportunity underfoot to provide both an aesthetic and environmental complement to kitchen design, reminds Amy DeVos, marketing coordinator at BreezeWood Floors.

“Hardwood floors are really popular right now in kitchens. They bring a natural element into a space that often has a lot of man-made finishes, such as chrome and stainless steel. The warm, natural tones of hardwood can ground a very bright and airy kitchen or add warmth to a more modern style. Wide planks, in particular, are very much on trend,” says DeVos, whose company offers solid hardwood flooring up to 6.25” wide and engineered hardwood flooring up to 7.5” wide.

While the look is appealing, customers are also drawn to the sustainable and eco-friendly aspects of the product. “Our hardwood flooring is manufacturing right here in Ontario, using Canadian hardwood lumber from our affiliated sawmill, Townsend Lumber, which is located right next door to our flooring plant,” notes DeVos, whose company has hardwood flooring showrooms in Tillsonburg, Kitchener and Orillia.

“And all of the Canadian hardwood lumber that we get from Townsend is sustainably harvested from within a 100 km radius of the sawmill—all of which helped earn BreezeWood a LEED certification for having one of the smallest carbon footprints in the industry.”

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7 Oaks Tree Care & Urban Forestry Consultants Inc.

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Getting the Job Done Right!

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2020-12-03 12:33 PM

16783 Thorndale Rd. Thorndale, Ontario, N0M 2P0 Tel: 519-461-1180 Toll free: 1-800-265-7086 Fax: 519-461-0903 www.trscomponents.ca Since 1974, TRS has offered builders a single source supply network of wall panels, roof trusses, floor panels. Our supply and install expertise will make your next job faster, easier and more efficient.

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Product Focus Whirlpool’s Assisted Cooking feature takes the guesswork out of food prep.

QUICK FIT Given the common need to pretzel yourself like a circus freak, faucet installation tends not to rate highly on the fun-things-to-do list for renovators and trades, much less homeowners. But Pfister has now addressed the issue.

With the company’s innovative TopPfit technology, faucet installation can be done from above the counter, and in less than two minutes. Instead of contorting your body to get under and around the sink and drain pipes to tighten and secure the faucet, the only under-counter work required is to simply reach in to connect the water supply, Pfister notes.

TopPfit installation starts as with any other faucet: turn off the water supply and remove the old faucet. But the rest is a game-changer, requiring just

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four simple steps: Feed the supply lines and shank through the countertop hole; insert the TopPfit tool into the faucet body and turn clockwise to secure the faucet to the countertop; feed the waterline through the shank and connect the top half of the faucet; and then connect to the waterlines.

As a YouTube video attests, the process has been completed in 57 seconds by the experts at Pfister.

TopPfit technology is currently available with three Pfister faucets: Seahaven (a traditional mid-century design), Ladera (a minimalist design that marries straight lines with sweeping curves) and Miri, featuring a tall arcing spout, high positioned handle and elegant body-to-handle transition.

settings to accommodate whatever beverages you choose to store.

The gravitational pull toward the latest technology remains a constant, with Charbonneau citing LG’s 6.3 cu. ft. stainless steel Air Fry InstaView ThinQ electric range. Featuring LG’s True Convection technology, it circulates hot air at high speeds for crunchy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-theinside cooking.

Anything and everything that assists with cooking is trending, advises Pal. “Many new kitchen appliances include smart features that make cooking a breeze, including colour touchscreen displays, built-in apps with easyto-follow recipes and tips, and wireless controls that allow for easy monitoring from anywhere in the house,” says Pal, highlighting Whirlpool’s Assisted Cooking feature on most of its new ranges, wall ovens and select over-therange microwaves. “It takes the guesswork out of preparing meals, with different modes for any meal, saving time and getting food on the table faster. Simply select what you’re making based on your selected mode, then follow prompts. The intuitive, full-colour touchscreen also adapts to customers’ routines by creating customized presets so they can easily access those settings they use most often.”

Adam, meanwhile, has recognized a trend toward health and hygiene, including “dishwashers that steam at the beginning and end of the cycle to loosen dirt and reduce water spots, new features in fridges to increase shelf life of fruits and vegetables, and surfaces and designs that allow for easy and thorough cleaning.”

Unfortunately, builders and consumers are having to dip a little deeper into their pockets to acquire the latest appliances.

“Almost all portals are advising that there are inventory constraints on the supply chain,” observes Charbonneau.

“Price increases are imminent as well, as a result of supply and demand.” OHB ohba.ca

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Product Showcase

Distributors of Wolf Serenity Decking

A WIDE SELECTION OF NATURAL STONE AND PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS www.beavervalleystone.com

t: 905-886-5787 or t: 416-222-2424 Main Office & Yard: 8081 Woodbine Ave. SE Corner Woodbine/407 Office & Yard: 125 Langstaff Rd E., SE Corner Yonge/Hwy 7-407 Manufacturing Plant: 12350 Keele St., Maple

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Date: Feb 17, 2021 Filename_ Version#

2553_BV_ONTHomeBuilders AD w3.476xH3_CLR

Client:

BEAVER VALLEY

Supplier:

Ont Home Builders Acct. Mgr:

Desc:

647-283-1093 design@marisacarnovale.com

Trim:

3.476"W x3"H

Safety/Live:

0" x 0"

File Built at:

100% (1:1)

Built By: Artist:

MC

# Colours: 4C

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PMS

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Frame of Mind

SHIP SHAPE

Overseas storage containers offer a simple housing solution

PREFABRICATION strategies combined with recycling initiatives has led to the repurposing of steel shipping containers as modular building components.

Transformed from carrying overseas shipments into a construction module, they provide a durable building block for simple, low-cost and sustainable structures, from homes and offices to temporary event venues.

A variety of container dimensions exist to accommodate different requirements and local road regulations. Their width is standardized at eight feet (2.4 m), but the height and length dimensions can vary. The 20’ and 40’ containers are the two most popular lengths, while the heights are available in three dimensions from 8m to 9.5m.

Shipping containers are made of slow-rusting COR-TEN steel, which gains its name from its high corrosion resistance and tensile strength. This type of steel was designed to eliminate the need for painting, because a stable rusted appearance forms after being exposed to weather.

The appeal of the conversion of shipping containers to architecture comes from their inherent modular quality, durability and sustainably.

Added benefits, such as easy transportation and quick on-site construction, 70

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make them an attractive option for some builders and buyers.

A container must be modified with the addition of insulation, windows and doors, and corridors and stairways to connect adjacent containers.

Though the containers themselves are a relatively inexpensive, the conversion process can become costly if proper considerations such as interior materials are not made.

“Containerlove,” designed by LHVH Architekten, is a home on a rural site in Kall, Germany. In contrast to its monotone, linear exterior, the warm, inviting interior of the 969 sq. ft. private residence no longer resembles a shipping container. Limited to the sizes of the modules, the floorplan was optimized by changing the layout of the boxes, and the design further experiments with altering the container facades and surfaces.

After detailed planning, the production of the house took only four weeks.

The modules were then delivered to the site and assembled. Since all but a few elements were completed in the factory, the only on-site tasks were the joints, piping and connection to utilities. The assembly process took just a day before being ready for occupancy.

Three modules of varying lengths form an L-shaped floorplan. The layout

maximizes the interior space for an airy feel and efficient use, while the walls are thick enough to contain an effective amount of insulation.

The master bedroom and bathroom are situated at one end of the house. At the other end, where two containers are doubled up to form a wider space, there is an additional bedroom and an office that could potentially be used as a third bedroom by adding a partition.

The open-plan living room, kitchen and dining space are situated in between, at the elbow of the design.

The main entrance with a small, covered porch, is located between the kitchen and dining area. There are five additional doorways that connect the outside and the interior. Large windows are placed strategically throughout to provide natural light. There is also a small wooden terrace at the inside corner that provides adequate privacy.

Apart from flexible building options, shipping containers provide an efficient way of delivering homes that may appeal to some buyers by combining economic and sustainable advantages in a single prefabricated package. OHB

AVI FRIEDMAN IS AN ARCHITECT, PROFESSOR, AUTHOR AND SOCIAL OBSERVER. AVI.FRIEDMAN@MCGILL.CA

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