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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Sue Wastell
CEO’S MESSAGE
Kevin Lee
MEMBERPROFILE
Ultimate Renovations
BYTHENUMBERS
Ongoing pause of interest rate hikes helps builder confidence, but traffic still slow
RENOVATORS’ CORNER
Renovations to support living at home
FEDERALADVOCACY
CHBA’s Day on the Hill
THE GREAT OUTDOORS!
Help your clients create the ultimate outdoor space this summer
INSIDERINFO
Wind and fire resilience – limiting the risk
DEVELOPERS’ CORNER
Today’s award-winning communities prioritize amenities
FEATUREDCOMPANIES
Suppliers & Vendors
THEGIVINGBACKPAGE
Community Spirit
EDITOR
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Since beginning my term as President in February, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to several of our local/provincial associations across the country and speak with members about issues that CHBA is working on that matter to you. I genuinely enjoy meeting members and HBA staff and learning more about your businesses, challenges and priorities. CHBA is the voice of residential construction in Canada, and when you share your experiences, it helps ensure that voice reflects the priorities in our industry across the country.
I stayed in Alberta after my inaugural address at CHBA’s Home Building Week in Canada in Banff to engage with members of BILD Central Alberta in Red Deer. They greeted me warmly, and it was a wonderful event to kick off my presidency and hear more about the housing market in the province. From there I headed to BILD Lethbridge’s AGM, where they are doing some very interesting work helping to bridge language barriers for newcomers who want to work in our industry, to help support the skilled labour shortage that most companies in
BY SUE WASTELL , CHBA PRESIDENT
Alberta – and the rest of Canada – are experiencing. CHBA is helping to support local initiatives like these at the Federal level, where we are calling for updates to the immigration system to proactively attract more skilled workers in residential construction, as well as promoting careers in our industry via a new promotional information section on the chba.ca website.
In March, I was invited to Guelph and District HBA’s President’s Ball and Awards of Distinction, where we celebrated the companies doing incredible work in the area. Later that month, I visited with members in New Brunswick at their Awards of Excellence gala. Our local, provincial and national awards programs are a wonderful showcase of the great work being done by our members, and are a huge marketing boon for finalists and winners. At both events, we also celebrated long-term volunteer individuals – it takes a lot of time and commitment to serve in these leadership positions on behalf of your fellow members, and without volunteers at the local, provincial and national levels, our association would not be anywhere as strong as it is today. And invariably, they say they got more out of their volunteer time than they had to put in – a great message for the volunteer leaders of the future.
April and May kept me in my home province of Ontario, where I attended a Net Zero Home ribbon cutting in Markham, and lunch and dinner meetings in Brantford,
Windsor Essex, London and Haliburton. These more informal events are great for members to network with each other or learn more on topics relevant to your businesses. For myself, they’re a chance to meet and speak with you about what’s happening on the ground in your area, and where you need more support.
This spring, in addition to labour shortages across all businesses, the big topic of conversation has been slower sales traffic for new home construction. For land developers, it has gotten to the point where projects are being paused or fully cancelled due to the lack of sales and the uncertainty of what will happen with interest rates in the coming months, given the effect they have on demand. And this is coming at a time when Canada needs to be doubling its housing starts.
These boots-on-the-ground examples help CHBA explain to federal policy makers the effect that interest rates and mortgage rules are having on Canadians who want to buy a home. When leading members of CHBA and HBA staff met with MPs and government officials for CHBA’s Day on the Hill in May, it was these types of stories that helped them understand the impact that policy has on the industry, and how it can hinder the government’s own priority of building more supply.
I’m looking forward to meeting with more of you in the coming months and not only sharing the good work that CHBA is doing at the national level to complement and support the equally important work that’s happening in your local and provincial associations, but in hearing how things are going for you and how the association can help support your business during its busiest season of the year.
CHBA just wrapped up its annual Day on the Hill, which saw the association’s leadership from across the country come to Ottawa and share our federal policy recommendations with MPs and government officials (see more on page 20 in this issue). The big focus this year was 1) acknowledging the government’s recognition that Canada is short 3.5 million homes, and that we need to double housing starts over the next decade to catch up, and 2) communicating that there are some major policy barriers in the way preventing that from happening.
One of the barriers to building more homes is the lack of skilled workers. Reliable access to trades is a challenge across the country. The scarcity of people who can do the jobs needed has resulted in increased costs for labour and delays in building. And the problem is only going to get worse.
According to BuildForce Canada, some 20 per cent of the residential construction labour force is set to retire in the next decade. And while we continue our work to encourage careers in our industry, and we have been successful in getting the federal government to do the same, there are simply not enough
people entering the workforce to build 5.8 million homes in the next 10 years.
We need more people, and we need them now. Immigration targeting skilled workers for residential construction needs to be at the top of the federal government’s priorities. Fortunately, the government has recognized this and is taking action – CHBA continues to inform the government on this front.
But even with more immigration, as a sector, we will fall short of production requirements if we don’t increase productivity. Given all the challenges, and the opportunity, it is time to transition to a new way of working that allows us to do more with fewer people. So how do we increase productivity? The answers can already be found in modular construction and other factory-built techniques.
According to CHBA’s most recent Housing Market Index (HMI), 29 per cent of respondents used some form of factory-built components (such as modules and wall panels) in the last year, and 90 per cent are considering using them in the next one to three years. Clearly, builders are seeing the advantages of the reduction in on-site construction time and reduced labour requirements. This is also evidenced by the popularity of CHBA’s Modular 101 webinar series with members, which you can find at www.chba.ca/webinars if you haven’t already accessed it.
There are already many modular housing factories across the country, and we will need to expand their capacity and add more factory-built capacity moving forward if we are to build the required 5.8 million homes
CMHC recognizes as needed over the next decade. CHBA’s Modular Construction Council is made up of representatives from many of Canada’s current factories, and they bring valuable information about building technologies and climate resilience to our collaborative national committee and council meetings, informing consultations on building codes and introducing the industry to a new way of thinking.
The Modular Construction Council’s latest strategic planning sessions pointed to the need for a transition of the sector, which is feeding into the overall sector transition strategy CHBA is actively working on. There is also the recognition that the ebb and flow of homebuilding makes harnessing the investment needed to build a factory very challenging. CHBA is recommending that governments will need to prioritize and support investment in modular and other factory-built technologies, similar to the most recent federal budget’s emphasis on clean technology investments, and provide investment tax credits, an innovation fund and strategic financing to enable the transition.
CHBA leadership from across the country began planting that seed with MPs during our recent Day on the Hill, and your national Board of Directors – as well as EOs and HBA staff from all three levels of the association – engaged in in-depth strategic planning to begin shaping a sector transition strategy to ensure the continued success of our industry that is so economically important to Canada. One thing’s for certain: It’s a critical time in Canadian housing construction history for us.
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BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, CHBA
From building a business out of his garage to operating a luxury full-scale renovation company in Alberta’s two largest cities, Danny Ritchie has a lot to be proud of. The co-owner and president of Ultimate Renovations has an impressive collection of housing award trophies and more than 40 years’ experience running a business, which he’s still finding ways to grow.
Although the company is now based in Calgary, Ritchie grew up in Montreal. Starting at a young age, he worked for his father, who ran his own windows and siding business. Being on the jobsite didn’t allow Ritchie much time for school, but he did learn his way around tools, and got experience working not only on exteriors but some home additions as well. Ritchie soon struck out on his own, venturing west. He landed in Edmonton and started his company, then called Ultimate Window Capping, on July 16, 1979, and met his future wife, Barb, the same week at The Rose
and Crown. She became his partner in life and business. Together, they built the company out of Ritchie’s garage, which they used to store window capping. Barb did the measuring while Ritchie handled the installations. By the mid-1980s, the company had expanded to doing most of the exterior work on homes, including windows, siding and roofing.
Today, Barb Ritchie remains one of the co-owners of Ultimate Renovations, in charge of accounts receivable. “I might not have what I have now for success if I didn’t have my wife,” Ritchie says. Barb isn’t the only family member helping to run the business. In the early days of the company, Ritchie asked his brother, Terry, who was working as an accountant, if he’d consider joining the company. He accepted, and Terry is the third co-owner and comptroller. The next generation is also involved, and Ritchie is transitioning his son Paul to help take over the business. Paul got his legs in the industry working in sales for
Company Name:
Ultimate Renovations
Head Offices: Calgary and second office in Edmonton
Number of Full-Time Employees: 50 plus 50 sub-contractors
Projects per year: 75 per year (75 per cent of the projects in Calgary)
another homebuilder in Calgary, working his way up there before coming to join his parents at Ultimate Renovations.
On Sept. 7, 1991, a big hailstorm hit Calgary, and Allstate Insurance asked Ritchie if his company could come to Calgary to help repair the damage to roofs and siding. While working in the city, homeowners there began asking if Ultimate could handle additions and garages. Ritchie took on the work and realized he had a vision for seeing the potential in spaces. “Don’t ask me to sing,” he jokes, “but that was something natural that I think I had – a vision for looking at a home and being able to see how it can be updated to best suit modern needs and lifestyles.”
From there, he expanded the company’s services to include renovations. Ritchie says
that growing the company at that time was not difficult, compared to the growth they’re experiencing now due to the success of recent housing awards. “A lot of our people are hourly employees, and we try to keep the same people on our teams. We are so busy right now, we need more people.”
Ultimate is doing its part to help build up the residential construction labour force locally. For years now, the company has been participating in the Registered Apprenticeship Program in Alberta, which is for students who want to learn and practice their future trade while they’re in high school. Each year, Ultimate typically hires three students for four months over the summer. The program pays for part of the students’ wages, and Ritchie says they usually have a least one student that they want
JUNE 5-7, 2023
Executive Officers’ Council
Professional Development Forum, Charlottetown, PEI
FALL 2023
to keep on when the summer is over. They company is now also looking to find students from the Southern Alberta Institute of Alberta (SAIT), and are exploring hiring Ukrainian refugees. “We need workers,” Ritchie says simply, “so we need to look outside the box.”
Although he’s co-owner, Ritchie is still the first touchpoint for homeowners. He visits each home with his son Paul, and after consulting with the homeowners they give their vision for what Ultimate can do for the homeowners, then bring them back to their show home so they can see the superior quality firsthand.
OCT. 23-27, 2023
CHBA
That customer experience is one of the special things that Ultimate offers.
“We built our first show home 15 years ago, and we’re on show home number seven now. Not one of our competitors has one,” Ritchie elaborates. Another positive is that the company is a one-stop shop; almost everything – from sales to architecture to design to cabinet-making – is done in-house. The entire staff comes together to come up with a plan and budget for the project, and Ritchie oversees it all through to completion.
Ultimate Renovations not only prepares its clients well for the experience of renovating, it does its best to make them as comfortable as possible.
Ultimate Renovations owns several homes it rents to its clients going through whole home renovations at a reasonable price, with a lot of flexibility. “We provide a way for them to be able to get out of the stressful environment and the mess that comes with renovation, which also makes it easier for us to do the job,” Ritchie says.
The company became members of the local association in Calgary in 1995. Three years later it entered the local housing awards for the first time and won in all five categories entered. The business exploded, and Ritchie was so busy with work he got from that successful awards season that he ended up missing the deadline the following year. But the company kept entering the Calgary awards, and with its continued success the clients kept coming. Ultimate has won 67 awards at its local association since that first season, top honours at the BILD Alberta Awards, and this past year earned the top award for renovators at the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence: The Renovation Excellence Award.
Ritchie certainly does have an eye for design, and keeps his pulse on homeowner trends. These days he says a more modern palette is most appreciated by clients – flat surfaces with a clean and sleek look. Open-concept homes are still trending, and Ritchie doesn’t see the Great Room going anywhere in the near future. What is new is the increase in customers requesting adding elevators to their homes, as they think ahead to aging in place.
When it comes to making small houses feel bigger without increasing the footprint, nothing works quite as well as high ceilings. Ritchie and his team are happy to be able to offer the option to clients. With the right type of home, or homes that are being completely gutted, they can raise their roofs to nine, 10 or more feet – without taking the roof apart. “The first one was the hardest one to do, on the hardest house to
do,” says Ritchie. Having now done it a dozen times, he’s confident in offering the option to homeowners.
Another emerging trend is outdoor living spaces, which the company specializes in. It first started about seven years ago when Ritchie added an outdoor living room to their show home. It was a fresh enough concept that even his wife Barb was skeptical, Ritchie remembers. “My wife said to me, ‘do you think people are even going to want this?’ After the show home was finished, a lot of customers who we’d already done renovations for came back wanting an outdoor space of their own.” The outdoor living spaces aren’t just popular among homeowners; Ultimate Renovations has taken home several housing awards for its outdoor spaces.
And it’s not just design trends that are changing. Ritchie says customers are much more educated these days, because they’re doing their homework beforehand by researching on the Internet.
Ritchie is a self-proclaimed workaholic. “I’ll need to move away from Calgary to be able to stop working,” he laughs. But whenever he does decide to retire, he can be proud to look back at the company he’s built with the help of family and cherished longtime employees over the years.
BY YASMINE GOODWIN & LUKE HALL MY-DESIGNSTUDIO.COM
The builder decor sales industry is a dynamic space that has changed dramatically over the last few decades.
As the world continues to become increasingly digital, so does the builder decor sales industry. With new technology, changing consumer preferences, and the push for eco-friendly solutions, the future of this industry is an ever-changing landscape. As a multi-residential developer, it’s important to prepare for the future and remain flexible to industry changes.
Here are three things to keep an eye on:
There has been a significant paradigm shift in the perception of eco-friendly solutions. From once being considered as optional to now being recognized as essential, homebuyers are becoming increasingly concerned about sustainability. Many now demand eco-friendly and sustainable products in their home and this will only be amplified in the future.
Builders and developers will need to place greater emphasis on their own carbon footprint and sustainability in their business practices. Selecting eco-friendly materials, designs and decor options will allow your company to leverage its dedication to sustainability, thereby maximizing its impact on sales and brand image.
A digital platform will be a game-changer for builders looking to drive innovation in decor sales by providing a centralized location for information about sustainable products. This platform will include detailed information about the materials used, the production process, and the environmental impact of
each product. This information will assist homebuyers in making well- informed decisions about their decor selections, considering not only the aesthetic but also the sustainability of the products.
Moreover, a digital platform will provide an interactive and engaging experience for homebuyers to explore and visualize sustainable products in a virtual environment. This will include 3D renderings and augmented reality technology, allowing consumers to see how sustainable products will look in their own homes while also learning about the environmental impact and energy savings of their selections. For instance, sustainable windows with low-emissivity glass can reduce energy consumption by limiting heat transfer through the glass, reducing heating and cooling costs. Another example is water-saving plumbing fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and toilets. These fixtures can significantly reduce water consumption and lower water bills.
Overall, sustainable decor selections can provide long-term cost savings and environmental benefits to homebuyers. By providing information about these products on a digital platform, builders can encourage more eco-friendly choices and help homebuyers make informed decisions about their decor selections.
Digital platforms can also help builders and developers stay on top of evolving consumer needs. By collecting and analyzing customer feedback, builders can identify trends and preferences and adjust their approach accordingly. Online platforms and builder decor software can
also facilitate this process, allowing builders to offer hyper-realistic simulations that help to create desire for sustainable decor products. As consumer demand for sustainable products continues to grow, a digital platform will help builders meet these evolving needs and stay competitive in the market.
The future of the builder decor sales industry is one that is marked by sustainability, innovation and a focus on meeting the evolving needs of homebuyers. As technology continues to advance, companies must adapt to new ways of communicating and interacting with clients.
The best way to prepare is to stay up to date with new technologies and processes in the industry. Companies in this sector must display adaptability and a forward-thinking approach to not just survive but thrive in the future.
BY THE numbers
After four straight quarters of diminishing builder confidence, the pause on interest rate hikes has resulted in a slight uptick in CHBA’s Q1 2023 Housing Market Index (HMI) in both the single-family and multi-family markets, though both numbers are still very low. While the increase in builder sentiment should be indicative of better conditions ahead, the outlook will
hinge on what happens with interest rates going forward. In its recent advocacy, CHBA has urged that the Bank of Canada lower interest rates as soon as possible, that OSFI not further tighten underwriting, and that the government take measures to support first-time buyers, especially in light of the fact that housing starts are dropping – as the HMI predicted in previous quarters.
Provides a leading indicator of the current and future health of the residential construction industry in Canada.
Insight coming from the HMI informs the government, media and consumers about trends and issues in the residential construction industry, and is another tool to further CHBA’s government advocacy.
It’s no surprise that entry-level homebuyers have been disproportionately affected by rising interest rates. Prospective homebuyer traffic remains low this quarter, with HMI respondents indicating that interest rates and the high cost of construction are the biggest concerns for their prospects. Most of the sales being generated in early 2023 are due to significant price cuts, members noted, and many buyers are continuing to wait for prices to drop before buying. In terms of closings, one third of respondents said that buyers are forced to seek out alternative lending solutions, and 30 per cent said they’re making accommodations so that buyers can close on their properties.
We now have enough data to show that CHBA’s HMI has a strong correlation to housing starts six months later. Housing starts dropped by 10,000 units in 2022, and a much more substantial drop can be expected in 2023. That said, the slight rise in the Q1 2023 HMI should mean that we’ve already hit the low of housing starts for a given quarter. If interest rates hold steady and ideally start to go back down, allowing more buyers into the market, we should see starts begin to rise slowly as well. But most builders (64 per cent) are still expecting to have fewer starts in 2023 than the year before. CHBA used the data correlation between its HMI and recent housing starts to illustrate to the federal government the impact that interest rates are having on building more housing supply.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT YOUR 2023 HOUSING STARTS TO COMPARE TO 2022?
Fewer starts in 2023
About the same number of starts in 2023
More starts in 2023
It was an enthusiastic room at George Brown College in Toronto on April 22. A variety of professionals gathered for two full days of learning as part of CHBA’s Adaptiv Home Renovation Course, hosted in conjunction with BILD (GTA). Aimed at renovators, designers and other professionals who want to learn more about offering services to homeowners who want to live in their home safely and comfortably for as long as possible regardless of age, ability, size or circumstance, the course is being delivered through CHBA in partnership with local homebuilders’ associations across the country.
The course uses CHBA’s recently published Adaptiv Home Renovation Manual, which was written in consultation with industry professionals who are very familiar with the demands of designing and renovating for those who require customizations to their home to accommodate their needs. The manual is included with the course, or can be purchased separately at a discounted price for CHBA members.
“The manual that was sent out was fantastic,” says Lesya Dyk, course attendee and a registered occupational therapist and President of Lesya Dyk O.T. Services Inc. in Hamilton, Ont. “Well laid out, with many diagrams and pictures, it was easy to do the pre-reading. In fact, many people who took the course said they read the whole manual before the course – it was both informative and interesting.”
The course was originally going to be a Canadianized version of the American Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) course, called C-CAPs during its pilot. But initial feedback from
CHBA members who took the course said there was still not enough Canadian content, and that they wanted many more specifics regarding the details of the renovation options themselves. Thus, the course was completely rebuilt from scratch by Canadian experts across the field, and now the newly minted Adaptiv Home Renovation Course covers material not only for those looking to age in place, but for many other types of accommodations needed by Canadians.
“The best thing about the course was the case studies and the rich discussion with all the attendees – contractors, interior designers, vendors and an occupational therapist. There were many people present with many years of experience, and even they felt that this course was well worth it. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who works in this space already, or who wants to get into modifying homes as a part of their business offerings,” says Dyk.
Course delivery has evolved to include 2.5 hours of pre-coursework done at home, followed by two days of focused learning. In Toronto, the course was held on a weekend to not interfere with those running their businesses during the work week. There is a final evaluation written online on the last day of the course.
CHBA’s Director of Operations, Leah Nord, has been overseeing the course delivery this spring, which included a virtual delivery in Alberta and Atlantic Canada in addition to the
in-person course in Toronto. She says it’s been rewarding seeing several years of collaboration and work come together to serve members interested in working in this growing niche.
“With almost 16 per cent of the population in Canada living with some form of disability, and most Canadians wanting to live at home as long as they can into their golden years, this renovation expertise is very much needed, and that need will continue to grow as baby boomers age,” Nord says. “This course has been developed to help CHBA renovator members be on the leading edge of renovations for persons with disabilities, so that members can establish themselves in a growing market.”
The course includes information on communicating with clients, professional partnerships, empathy and legal considerations, and of course a wide variety of design solutions and building knowledge specific to living in place, including ramps, lighting, lifting systems, home automation, specific rooms, and much more. It’s the important first step to becoming part of a network of professionals who want to help Canadians live at home for as long as possible.
Members who successfully complete the course will be listed on CHBA’s website as part of a directory of Adaptiv Home professionals and will be promoted to Canadians looking for assistance.
For more information, visit chba.ca/ adaptivhome.
On May 9, member leaders and HBA staff from across the country spread out in small groups over Ottawa’s parliamentary precinct, partaking in more than 45 meetings with Members of Parliament and government officials. CHBA’s Day on the Hill is the capstone event that complements the extensive year-round consultations that CHBA has with Ministers and MPs, and the public service, strengthening CHBA’s relationship with key government officials and reinforcing the coast-to-coast presence of the association.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) has a reputation among MPs of having delegates that are well informed and organized, and this feedback was reiterated from
MP offices this year. This reputation goes a long way in not only securing a meeting in the first place, but in setting the stage so that the MP is truly engaged in the discussion about the issues at hand.
A big part of the preparation takes place during a mandatory briefing day prior to the event for everyone attending meetings. Delegates are given best practices and strategic approaches for the meetings. They also spend a lot of time going over CHBA’s federal policy recommendations, supported by a policy infoguide that CHBA produces for these meetings, called Unlocking the Door to Homeownership: Recommendations on the Federal Role. While not every policy recommendation can be explored in depth during a 30-minute meeting with an MP, after the
briefing day members are armed with enough understanding of each recommendation to speak comfortably about them.
Delegates finish the day by breaking into their groups and planning the flow of their meetings. They review how to answer challenging or skeptical questions, and how to find common ground to make that all-important connection. Having boots-on-the-ground members bring their perspective to the issues affecting residential construction and renovation is an extremely valuable facet of getting our message heard in Ottawa.
Housing affordability is always at the centre of CHBA’s policy recommendations for the federal government, and Canada’s housing
supply shortage – and its link to higher home prices – was a key part of the conversation this year. In the 2022 Federal Budget, the government stated that we need to double the numbers of homes built over the next 10 years to make up Canada’s shortage of 3.5 million homes. Including the 2.3 million homes that we would normally build, that makes 5.8 million homes that need to be built in the coming decade. But starts are slowing due to rising interest rates crippling new housing sales. In addition to interest rates, there are many policy barriers, such as mortgage rules, the stress test and GST, holding back buyers and preventing the necessary construction of new homes and home renovation. CHBA’s recommendations are focused on addressing such policy barriers.
There is no magic bullet solution – what is required is a comprehensive approach. Therefore, during their meetings with MPs, members and HBA staff presented a sev-
en-point pathway to building 3.5 million additional homes. Seven points is more than we would normally put forward, but given the housing crisis that is top of mind for politicians, MPs were thoroughly engaged in the discussions, and a lot of ground was covered as a result in the meetings. The seven points were:
1. Continue federal leadership, but with a holistic approach by ensuring the government’s own economic policies don’t run counter to efforts to increase housing supply.
2. Remove barriers to homeownership for first-time buyers, including lowering interest rates as soon as possible, lowering the overall stress test and having it further ratchet down for longer-term mortgages, not making changes through the OSFI B20 consultation that would make it even harder to buy a home, bringing back 30-year amortization periods, introducing a renovation tax credit, and considering the key issue of housing supply in all monetary and regulatory policy.
who attended meetings on Tuesday harnessed the power of Twitter, resulting in #CHBAontheHill trending nationally. ”
3. Lower government-imposed costs that add to affordability challenges, like increasing the GST/HST New Housing Rebate thresholds, fixing taxation on purpose-built rentals, and assisting municipalities in lowering their government-imposed costs.
4. Remove barriers within the home building process through the continued roll-out of the Housing Accelerator Fund and by fixing the Underused Housing Tax.
5. Address labour shortages by updating the immigration system to proactively attract skilled workers in residential constructions and by encouraging more Canadians to consider a career in the skilled trades and supporting the apprenticeship system.
6. Support increased productivity by prioritizing and supporting investment in modular and other factory-built technologies and supporting CHBA efforts for its sector transition strategy.
7. Avoid adding costs through codes and regulations, ensuring affordability is a core code objective and that we prioritize innovation before regulation. In tandem, invest in innovation and R&D for lower- or neutral-cost solutions, and recognize that to address climate change in the sector, it’s critical to retrofit existing housing. To do so, the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) label should be required on all houses at the time of resale, and the ERS should be expanded and promoted so that it becomes the backbone of all renovation incentives.
CHBA hosted a reception in the evening to carry on the conversation in a more relaxed setting. Evening receptions also provide an opportunity to connect with those who weren’t able to schedule a meeting during the day.
Two prominent Ministers spoke at the reception. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, met with CHBA leadership during the day and then also addressed all the delegates at the reception in the evening. He
spoke about the important work that members do to house Canadians from coast to coast, and that the government recognizes the need for more housing supply in Canada. The Minister pointed to the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which is providing incentive funding to local governments encouraging initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply – an initiative that aligns well with CHBA’s recommendations that we need to remove policy barriers to getting more supply online.
“ CHBA’s Day on the Hill is the capstone event that complements the extensive year-round consultations that CHBA has with Ministers and MPs, and the public service.”Briefing Day for CHBA’s Day on the Hill participants. Participants break into teams to practice for their meetings.
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, also spoke to the crowd. He explained Canada’s need to keep growing its population through immigration, and the positive impact bringing more people into the country has had in small towns and cities, including in his region of Atlantic Canada. He recognized that we need more homes to house these newcomers who usually desire to own a home as soon as possible when they land. But having the labour force to build those homes is currently a challenge, one that he said the federal government is aiming to help solve through a new federal immigration pathways program that targets the skilled trades needed for construction as a prioritized skillset when evaluating immigrants and refugees to get those people here faster.
To support CHBA’s Day on the Hill and reception, as well as further awareness about CHBA’s policy recommendations around housing affordability, a digital awareness campaign took place in tandem with the event. Starting on the Monday, CHBA social media ads were delivered through a campaign targeting the parliamentary precinct to best reach government decision makers. In addition, ads appeared in The Hill Times, iPolitics, and National Newswatch – the three most popular online news sources for federal political news. CHBA also had an op-ed in The Hill Times authored by CEO Kevin Lee that spoke to the importance of housing affordability and the current barriers
(and solutions) to building more homes in Canada. CHBA members and Executive Officers who attended meetings on Tuesday harnessed the power of Twitter to thank MPs and share the messaging, resulting in #CHBAontheHill trending nationally on Twitter on May 9. And to keep up the momentum, in addition to the ads targeted to the parliamentary precinct, CHBA continued to share its social media recommendations on its social media pages throughout the week so that members and HBA staff could keep sharing as well.
CHBA has followed up with the MPs and government officials that members met with to thank them for the meetings and to provide additional information or answer any questions
that came out of the meetings. As part of ongoing government relations activities, CHBA will continue its dialogue with relevant policy-makers throughout the year, bolstered by insights that members collected during the meetings to find common ground on issues to help further CHBA’s recommendations to government for a healthy future for the industry and housing in Canada.
Members who are interested in keeping current with housing and CHBA action and policy recommendations are encouraged to sign up to receive CHBA’s Industry Highlights, a media scan on housing issues and developments with CHBA commentary, published Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.
From left to right: Kevin Lee, CHBA CEO; Curtis Mercer, 2nd Vice President II; Jagmeet Singh, NDP Leader; Miles Kohan, Past President; Sue Wastell, President
Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury (middle) talks housing with Sudbury & District HBA Past President Louie Zagordo (left) and EO Morgan Rouleau.
BY JAMES POLLARD
HELP YOUR CLIENTS CREATE THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR SPACE THIS SUMMER
So, yet another year where most of the country seemed to go directly from toques and parkas, snowmobiles and shinny, straight into summer. The times, they are a changing. But what won’t change is Canadians’ passionate desire to get the most out of the warm months whenever they arrive.
Here is our latest collection of items your clients will be looking to add to their exteriors and outdoor living spaces. Plus, some tools to help you get the job done.
Composite decking options have come a long way from when they were first introduced to the market in the 1980s. No more saggy, plastic-looking planks that could scorch your feet on a sunny day. Today’s offerings are available in an array of splinter-free, realistic colours and textures.
Moisture Shield’s Vision lineup, for example, is made with 95-percent recycled material, comes with a 50-year structural warranty and can be installed at grade or even underwater without compromising the structural integrity. The manufacturer also claims it reduces heat absorption by up to 35 per cent compared to competitors. moistureshield.com
Nothing screams cookie cutter like an entire neighbourhood of identical houses clad in identical exterior finishes. Which is why the mix-and-match esthetic continues to be popular in the custom home market. The mixing can come in terms of materials with, for example, as masonry base layer, EIFS across the upper levels and some wooden posts and beams for balance. Another option is to pair different tones: Say, a mostly light-coloured exterior with sharply contrasting black trim and window frames.
Masonry is the original homebuilding material in Canada. It’s durable, and most masonry products require little to no ongoing maintenance.
One made-in-Canada option is the newly rebranded Shouldice Stone (formerly Shouldice Designer Stone). Located in Shallow Lake, Ont., at the base of the Bruce Peninsula, the company literally sits on top of ancient deposits of the aggregate they use in their stone and brick products.
The company also has a line of mechanically fastened thin stone veneers – Fusion Stone – that are easy enough to install for a DIYer, meaning you won’t have to wait around for your mason to be available to tackle the installation. shouldice.ca
A two-storey deck offers the best of both worlds: Full exposure to the elements when it’s nice, and a shelter from the storm when it’s not. That’s only if it’s built properly. There are a number of options on the market to properly create a shelter below the deck, including Trex’s RainEscape. Trex’s easy to install system goes over the joists, provides 100-per-cent coverage, has optional soffit LED lights and comes with a 25-year warranty.
trexrainescape.com
If you’re old enough (or have English relatives), you’ll recognize the brand name, Chesterfield, as a synonym for sofa or couch. If you’re young enough (or are a regular podcast listener), you’ll be familiar with Cozey as a made-in-Canada series of modular sofas and sectionals. The company now has a lineup of outdoor furniture called Mistral. The aluminum-framed pieces are easy to assemble and disassemble, offering a great solution for clients with limited offseason storage. Both their indoor and outdoor furniture comes
com
with a five-year warranty and a 30-day risk-free trial period. cozey.ca
As much as we crave the sun’s warmth, we usually need some respite. A retractable canopy offers the perfect hybrid solution. Ontario-based Shade FX has created custom, retractable canopies for high-end hotels, restaurants and event spaces across the country. The company also works directly with homeowners and contractors to create one-of-a-kind options for backyards. shadefxcanopies.com
Properties across the country are criss-crossed with a network buried power, water, sewer, telecom lines and more. Severing any of this infrastructure can be costly – and potentially even deadly. So, before you do any excavation work, you need to find out if there are any buried utilities below the surface. Luckily, you can take care of it all with one call or click to the provincial body that coordinates “locates” with the various utilities. Visit clickbeforeyoudig.com for links to the organization to contact where you’re working.
Looking for an instant, made in Canada, Net Zero solution for an outdoor living space? Consider the Powerhouse, by Toronto-based Mitrex. They are available in three sizes. The Mini is 16 by 16 ft., the Midi is 16 by 20 ft. and, wait for it, the Maxi is 16 by 30 ft. With R-36 walls, each can be tied into the grid if available, or operate completely off-grid with solar panels. The Mini features 140 sq. ft. of interior space. The Midi is 180 sq. ft. and includes a two-piece bathroom, as does the 280-sq.-ft. Maxi. mitrex.com/powerhouse
Starting back in the early 1800s, cities around the world illuminated their streets with gas-fuelled lights. You could even get a job as a lamplighter going around manually lighting each one with a wick on a stick. Electric lighting eventually replaced gas fixtures in all but a few historic tourist areas. But they’re making a comeback as a charming, flickering alternative to electric lights in upscale backyards. Tempest Torches, by U.S.-based Travis Industries, feature all-season, stainless-steel frames that can be powered by natural gas or liquified petroleum gas.
firegardenoutdoors.com
Trees growing too close to the house can lead to a number of issues, including causing damage to the siding or eaves if branches rub up against them and providing a highway for insects to get into the home. Rather than risking your neck climbing a ladder awkwardly leaning against a tree trunk, do the job from the safety of solid ground with telescoping pruners.
Gone are the days of dealing with stale fuel, gummed up carburetors and obnoxious fumes from gas-powered chainsaws. Continue your transition to cordless tools with a chainsaw. Milwaukee Tool has a variety of cordless chainsaws ranging from a compact, six-in. pruning saw up to a 16-in. model. Powered by the company’s M18 battery, the 16-in. chainsaw features a variable speed throttle and the ability to make up to 150 cuts in six-by-six cedar on one charge, while doing so faster than a 40cc gas model. milwaukeetool.ca
Fiskars has three models with pruners that can cut branches up to one in. thick and 12-in. saw blade for the thicker ones. The base seven-ft.-long pole is available in 12-, 14- and 16-ft. extensions. fiskars.com
While you’re busy pruning the trees and cleaning up the yard, why not have a robot take care of mowing the lawn for you? The Landroid is like a Roomba vacuum cleaner that, instead of dust bunnies, hoovers up grass. While other robotic mowers require a boundary wire, the Landroid uses AI-technology and an HD wide-angle camera to differentiate between grass and obstacles. Worx has three models of Landroid designed for yards that are up to 5,000-, 10,000- and 22,000-sq. ft. worx.com/landroid
If you’re spending a good chunk of your day pruning shrubs and tree branches, your forearms are going to ache and, over time, you put yourself at risk for a repetitive strain injury. Once again, cordless power comes to the rescue. DeWalt’s 20-volt, 1.5-in. cordless pruner features non-stick blades, an LED light and the ability to make up to 1,100 cuts on one charge, all with a tool weighing only three pounds. dewalt.ca
If you’re responsible for your clients’ vege-tation – or thinking of adding more greenery to your own property – avoid introducing invasive species. With no native predators here in Canada, introduced species can run wild, crowding out native plants and cutting off food and shelter that local animals and insects rely on. While governments across the country are spending millions trying to eradicate invasives in the wild, garden centres continue to sell some of the most problematic species, including purple loosestrife. Find out which species to avoid at the Invasive Species Centre.
invasivespeciescentre.ca
Adding a water feature can transform a yard into a natural oasis. Whether it’s a simple foundation or birdbath to attract birds, or a full pond complete with frogs and turtles, the sound of flowing water is the ultimate form of white noise to drown out the urban sounds around the property.
aquascapecanada.com
While your customers might ask about “stucco” for their exterior finishing, what they’re really looking for is the modern equivalent: Exterior insulation and finish systems, or EIFS. These multi-layer finishes include water and air barriers, insulation and a finish coat available in an endless array of colours and textures to suit any home design.
eifscouncil.org
BY CHRISTOPHER MASTRO, DIRECTOR, RISK SERVICES, FEDERATED INSURANCE AND FRANK LOHMANN, DIRECTOR, BUILDING SCIENCE, CHBA
The Lytton fire, the Barrie tornado and the Calgary hailstorm were chilling reminders that most homes and buildings cannot withstand extreme climate events. This is not a failure of building codes – there is only so far building codes can go. Many effective measures to protect homes, buildings and people during extreme climate events are not related to home construction, but to things such as natural infrastructure upgrades, community emergency planning, and yard maintenance and landscaping. The good news is that for builders, renovators and homeowners interested in investing more to take extra steps against extreme weather events, there are some straightforward and relatively low-cost solutions to help improve the resilience of homes, and the residential construction industry already knows how to do it. The process is simply to a) consider which extreme events are most likely to occur where the home is located, and b) integrate
resilience into construction and renovation plans and budgets.
This article focuses on how to improve a home’s capacity to withstand an extreme wind or fire event and to be repairable after the event. We’ll also share some techniques to protect homes during construction or renovation to reduce the business risk for builders and renovators.
Severe windstorms such as tornadoes create significant lateral (sideways) and uplift forces around a home that have enough power to lift roofs and permanently deform structures. The solutions are not complicated, but a comprehensive approach is required to ensure reinforcing one junction (such as with hurricane clips) doesn’t lead to failure elsewhere (such as the sill-plate/foundation)
– this means more fasteners, better sheathing and stronger connections from founda-
tions to walls and from walls to roof framing must be part of the comprehensive specifications. For builders, renovators and homeowners who want to integrate high-wind resilience into their next project, this list of resources will be an excellent starting point:
• The Northern Tornado Project at University of Western Ontario has an interactive dashboard that allows builders, renovators
and homeowners to review the strength and location of past tornadoes in their area.
• The CSA Standard S520: High Wind Safety for Low-Rise Residential and Small Buildings may be the most detailed and comprehensive resource in Canada at the moment. It offers best practices for the design and construction of the entire load path of a wood-frame building to reduce potential damage during tornado events as strong as an EF2 tornado. The requirements in the standard are intended to leave homes serviceable or repairable after such an event. Applying the standard partially, say in a renovation, may not achieve the full high-wind resistance, but improving any connection along the lateral and vertical wind-uplift load paths that are accessible during a renovation will improve the resilience of homes during non-tornadic wind events and help reduce the potential damage to neighbouring homes.
• The “Protecting roofs against high winds” blog from Federated Insurance contains many useful tips for maintenance reviews and upgrades to achieve better protection of buildings, which can also help reduce the amount of loose debris from buildings that could damage neighbouring structures. The blog focuses on constructions more typical for commercial buildings – for example featuring flat roofs and giving advice on how to document damage after an event.
• The commercial bulletin from the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) on preventing collapse when a home is under construction is another resource worth highlighting here, because wood-frame buildings under construction do not have the full lateral and uplift resistance and temporary measures are necessary to protect the asset. The bulletin recommends bracing, sheathing wall corners, or simply installing windows earlier to provide lateral strength to the walls.
As noted above, while hurricane clips are often described as a single upgrade that accomplishes everything, it is important to understand that they resolve only one connection in the entire vertical load path towards high-wind resilience. Other connections need to be upgraded at the same time to avoid displacing the damage from the roof being lifted, to the walls being lifted with the roof.
During new construction – and where accessible in a renovation – the most effective ways to integrate hurricane clips are:
• Connecting the truss and the outside of the wall, where the heel of the truss is accessible and the wall below is clad with wood-based sheathing, or
• Connecting the truss to the inside of the top plate and – with an additional metal strap – connecting the wall studs to the top plate. Alternatively, long structural screws can be used (secured diagonally) to connect both top plates and the truss bottom chord while the exterior wall sheathing connects the top plates to the wall studs.
Wildfires behave quite differently than house fires as they move through an area at very high speed and with very intense heat. Homes are most at risk from wind-blown embers landing on the roof or ground and igniting elements of the home. Other risks involve ignitable elements near or on the home getting in contact with flames or igniting at the high radiant heat. Damage is not limited to burning but can also include smoke and water damage to property, as well as lost income if a business must shut down due to evacuation orders. Partially completed structures may be extra vulnerable to damage by a wildfire, as in the case of a high-wind event.
While there is no way to eliminate wildfire risk for neighbourhoods at the wildland urban interface, there are some straightforward solutions to help limit risk in this case as well. Regular yard maintenance and community involvement combined with some design and construction considerations can greatly improve a home’s chances of survival during wildfire, even in extreme circumstances.
• A checklist published by FireSmart Canada can be used as a design tool by builders or as a simple assessment tool before a renovation. It provides advice for the home itself, and for the lot. The home-level guidance focuses on roofing, gutters, vents, cladding, openings such as doors and windows, and attachments such as balconies and decks, while the lot-level guidance focuses on landscaping aspects such as choosing the right trees and
plants and placing them in manner that keeps flammable vegetation away from the structure.
• The National guide for wildland-urban-interface fires from the National Research Council is probably the most comprehensive guideline for Canada. Beyond construction and landscaping requirements it also includes a detailed hazard/exposure assessment protocol as well as community-level resources such as emergency planning guidelines.
• The blog from Federated Insurance on a business’ wildfire plan and best safety practices is one of very few resources available focusing on what businesses can do to manage their risk before, during and after a wildfire event. It suggests safe practices before, during and after a fire including a fuel reduction plan for the business location itself, as well as a wildfire plan for the business incorporating training for all employees, for example.
The resources presented here capture some of the simplest solutions to help reduce risk for homeowners and businesses in locations where the level of potential risk warrants increased measures. In some locations, it will also be important to consider integrating wildfire and high-wind measures with other resilience measures for flood protection, hail resistance and protection from overheating. With construction requirements for energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction and accessibility also competing for housing dollars, the complicated challenge remains to balance the priorities with each client’s budget.
To learn more about risks you may be facing as a home builder, and to find out more helpful ways to protect against perils such as fires and wind, visit federated.ca.
Federated and Federated Insurance are registered trademarks of Federated Mutual Insurance Company. Used under license.
This content is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Federated Insurance makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on the information.
Community amenities can make all the difference to potential homebuyers. Though lots generally have become smaller, Canadians are still looking for spaces to be active in their neighbourhoods. Understanding homebuyer preferences can give developers and builders a competitive edge while creating communities that will be loved for decades to come.
According to CHBA’s 2023 Home Buyer Preference Survey – a nationwide market research study powered by Avid Ratings Canada – here are the top five most desired community features in Canada:
1. Walking and biking trails
2. Parks and recreation centres
3. Overall community landscaping
4. Childrens playground
5. Proximity to schools
Walking and bike paths top the list of community features this year, listed as a must-have or highly wanted item by more than 80 per cent of survey participants. Parks and recreation centres came in a close second. Overall landscaping and views are also important to respondents, coming in as the third highest ranked features this year. And for those with children, the importance of proximity to schools and to children’s playgrounds is usually high on the priority list. This year, they’re considered a must-have feature by more than 35 per cent of respondents.
The winners of this year’s Best New Community and Best Growing Community in the 2023 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence know the importance of amenities.
Both communities are located in Edmonton, and both prioritized items found in the top five features, plus added additional unique features to set their developments apart.
Blatchford’s community goal is to create communal spaces such as parks and trails close to every dwelling. With an 80-acre centralized park with two sizable ponds, plus smaller parks scattered throughout the neighbourhood, boulevard trees on every block, and a network of paths, Blatchford boasts its greenspace will be roughly twice as large as that of a typical neighbourhood. A skating rink, warming hut, community gardens and a playground are just some of this development’s amenities that are intended to promote social interaction between residents and the outdoors.
Chappelle Gardens is a master-planned neighbourhood with open spaces, spots for relaxing, a sizable path system, a bee pollinator corridor, picturesque ponds, community gardens, a park and playground, outdoor exercise equipment and more. Residents can choose to plant and harvest in their own front yard gardens or on the 24 communal plots that were built with gardens in mind. There are 13 connected parks that
make up 16 per cent of the community’s greenspace. All residents have access to a play area, spray park, picnic area and ice rink at the Social House complex, which also offers year-round programming and events. Beautifully landscaped storm ponds throughout provide reflection areas for the residents to enjoy. Outdoor gym equipment, a pollinator greenway and sundial park are some of the more unique amenities offered in this community.
Quality of life and greenspace go hand in hand. Both winning communities came out on top by offering residents plenty of greenspace, walking trails and parks. Canadians value neighbourhoods where they can enjoy spending time with friends and family, even if it’s only an evening stroll with the kids and family dog. A focus on communal greenspace resonates with recent buyers, and these winning communities went above and beyond.
CHBA members can order a free copy of the CHBA Home Buyer Preference Survey at chba.ca/buyersurvey. Browse all the 2023 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence finalists at chba.ca/housingawards.
BY CHLOE PERREAULT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, CHBA
Chappelle Gardens
Opportunities for careers in residential construction are on the rise. New construction and renovation happens in every community across Canada. CHBA is here to provide individuals with relavant information about the industry and the diverse career paths within.
OUR RESOURCE LIBRARY WITH OVER 23 SKILLED TRADES POSTERS!
Learn more at chba.ca/careersinresidentialconstruction
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The future of transport is electric. Enter Green Motion EV smart breaker chargers – fast AC charging, powered by smart breakers. Eaton chargers deliver real-time energy insights and enable integration with on-site renewable and energy storage systems to advance smart and sustainable energy systems to power today and tomorrow.
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Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) members have been building, developing, and renovating Canadian homes for generations. We are sharing the extraordinary contributions CHBA members make in their communities every day through our ongoing #CdnBuilt for Generations campaign. Here are a few recent stories. To read more stories follow our hashtag or visit blog.chba.ca/category/giving-back.
For more than 20 years, Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) has been supporting future leaders in the residential construction sector through skilled trades scholarships. Each year, HAVAN, in partnership with the Centra Windows Cares Program, provides the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) scholarships to four deserving students in the Carpentry Framing and Forming program. The proceeds, which help support the educational and financial needs of students looking to build thriving, productive careers in the home building industry, are generated from HAVAN’s Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament, presented by BAKA Communications Inc. At HAVAN’s 2023 AGM, BCIT students Michael Abenes, Jessika Porter, Govind Hair, and Vincent Mazur (left to right) were announced as this year’s exceptional scholarship recipients.
An intense knowledge exchange was paired with the cheerful spirit of giving back during April’s CHBA Net Zero Leadership Summit mashup with Building Knowledge Canada’s Spring Training. During the exciting event, the CHBA Net Zero Council and Building Knowledge Canada held a joint charity auction for event participants. The auction, which saw CHBA members from across the country bid on a variety of donated prizes, raised $12,980 for United Way Perth-Huron to help end homelessness in the Perth-Huron community. “The funds will be directed to Connection Centres, which offer basic needs support for folks who are unsheltered and precariously housed,” says Executive Director Ryan Erb. “We will also put funds toward the Community Renewal Company, our organization’s start-up non-profit housing corporation.”
When the team at BILD Medicine Hat heard they could build a structure of canned food items in support of their local food bank, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Medicine Hat’s Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub put on a Canstruction event to raise donations for their Emergency Food Pantry. Using donated food items from generous donor partners, BILD Medicine Hat built a 910 can structure resembling a Game Boy to pay a tribute to the children in their community. “We created the Game Boy concept because kids should be kids, and not have to worry or be fearful of not having enough food to eat,” BILD Medicine Hat says. Along with BILD Medicine Hat’s contribution, the event brought in more than $30,000 in food donations overall for the Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub.
As part of the Residential Savings by Design program from Enbridge Gas, new construction builders and developers can receive expert advice and incentives to build a Net Zero Energy Ready (NZER) discovery home.
We’ll help you explore what NZER homes look like—fully supported with building science experts, on‑site training and more. Visit enbridgegas.com/NZER to learn more.
Get customized, free, one‑on‑one coaching A $30,000* value.
Discovery home incentive Get $15,000† to help offset the costs to upgrade to NZER standards.
Enhance your knowledge of NZER homes
Free support from building science experts.
Future‑proof your business
Stay ahead of upcoming code changes.
Gain a competitive edge
Differentiate your homes with highly energy‑efficient technologies and systems.
Get recognized Each NZER home is verified by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
To participate, you must meet the following criteria:
• Must have not previously built a NZER discovery home.
• In the design development stage or earlier in the design process.
• Low rise residential single family, semi detached and townhomes qualify.
• Project must be located within the Enbridge Gas service area.