Building Excellence Summer 2024

EDITOR

Wayne Karl wayne.karl@nexthome.ca

EXECUTIVE MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Jacky Hill

Michael Rosset

SENIOR VP, SALES NEXTHOME Hope McLarnon 416.708.7987 hope.mclarnon@nexthome.ca

DIRECTOR OF SALES, ONTARIO, NEXTHOME Natalie Chin 416.881.4288, natalie.chin@nexthome.ca

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Amanda Bell 1.866.532.2588, amanda.bell@nexthome.ca

Merlyn Minty 204.782.8692 merlyn.minty@nexthome.ca

VOLUME 7, NUMBER 2 SUMMER 2024

CEO Kevin Lee

DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Natasha

Rombough

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES/SERVICE

Marilyn Watling

SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gary Chilvers

POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST

Emily Fielden

HOME SHOW MANAGER & NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION – GTA

Josh Rosset DISTRIBUTION distributionteam@nexthome.ca

ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@nexthome.ca

VP MARKETING — GTA

Leanne Speers

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

Lauren Reid–Sachs

VP PRODUCTION — GTA

Lisa Kelly

PRODUCTION MANAGER — GTA Yvonne Poon

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR Hannah Yarkony

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Mike Terentiev

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST

Chloe Perreault

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ADVANCING INDUSTRY PRIORITIES

A RECAP OF CHBA’S HOME BUILDING WEEK IN CANADA

BY MATT MCCURRACH, CHBA PRESIDENT

Last month, industry leaders came together in Saint John, NB for CHBA’s annual Home Building Week in Canada. Exciting meetings and events took place throughout the week, from advancing the association’s priorities during CHBA’s pre-conference Committee and Council meetings to celebrating the best in homebuilding and renovation across the country in the conference itself.

During Home Building Week in Canada, now Past President Sue Wastell – who, over the 15 months she was President attended more than 40 local, provincial and national events (an association record) – passed me the baton. Throughout my time on CHBA’s Executive Committee, I’ve been fortunate to get to know Wastell and see how eloquently she connects with members and government officials alike. We had the chance to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the association and I will draw on her expertise during my presidential term.

I also had the privilege of participating in association meetings, which give the inside scoop about the homebuilding climate across Canada. I feel fortunate to start my term as CHBA National President equipped

with the knowledge I gained both at those meetings in Saint John and over my years of involvement with the association.

It was a great week where we discussed industry challenges and opportunities and celebrated the achievements of our membership and industry. I hope to see you all at next year’s event in the beautiful city of Victoria, BC, where I spent much of my childhood. Mark your calendars for May 11 to 15, 2025.

During the years I’ve spent volunteering with the association on behalf of members, I’ve come to realize that while there are individual nuances in regions from coast-tocoast, most of the challenges we face and many of our needs are the same. If a member in Alberta has an issue – whether it’s restrictive municipal processes to careless tax laws to surprise sprinklers legislation –chances are members in Nova Scotia are having similar problems. This further emphasizes why it’s so important to not work in silos when we’re trying to get policymakers to act; it’s where the strength of the association comes in. The association lets us tackle these issues as a country-wide collective, helping to keep catastrophes from happening when governments get it wrong, and offering thoughtful solutions for them to get it right.

Of course, our members help to inform that, and that’s the important work I want to continue in my travels to your local and provincial events this year. I look forward to hearing directly from members about your individual challenges and what matters most to you and your businesses. Hearing your stories will enable me to take your voices

and experiences back to national to inform how we can continue to best advocate on your behalf.

In addition to the pre-conference business meetings in Saint John, it was wonderful to celebrate our leaders, members and industry during the conference in the second half of Home Building Week in Canada. Through the national Association Leadership Awards, we commemorated the great work of our volunteer members and recognized the outstanding leadership shown by our local and provincial HBAs and their EOs. Read more about the winners and their contributions to the association on page 29.

We also celebrated the best in our industry at the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence gala. Year-after-year, I’m always impressed by the creative work members put forward in the national awards – just when I think I’ve seen the best, you, my fellow members, manage to raise the bar. We saw an incredible representation of the breadth of our industry: innovative entry-level units, luxury renovations, thoughtfully planned communities and imaginative marketing campaigns. Kudos to all the finalists and winners – it was wonderful to celebrate your achievements with you all. If you did not have a chance to attend the gala, take a peek at the expansive list of winners on page 23.

Wishing you all a great summer and I look forward to visiting with you in person in the year ahead.

Read more about CHBA President Matt McCurrach in the Member Profile on page 12.

CHBA ADAPTIV HOME RENOVATION COURSE

The demand for home modifications is here. There are 10 million Canadians age 60+, representing more than 1/3 of the population. The vast majority are homeowners who want to live in their home for the rest of their lives.* They are searching for qualified professionals for their home modification needs.

The Adaptiv Home Renovation Course was developed for renovators, contractors, architects, designers, and other professionals who want to learn about the aging-in-place market and the growing business opportunities across the country.

The Adaptiv Home Renovation Course provides participants with:

• Up-to-date information on Canadian building codes and standards with an emphasis on improving design with safety, security, ease of use, comfort, accessibility, and occupant health.

• Specific building knowlege on ramps and slopes, zero-step thresholds, curbless showers, accessibility equipment, and home automation solutions.

• Training in client communication, empathy, privacy, insurance, and legal considerations.

CHBA’s Adaptiv Home Renovation Manual is a comprehensive book on all aspects of living-at-home renovation, and is included in the Adaptiv Home Renovation Course fee. Written as a companion text to the Renovators’ Manual and the Builders’ Manual, it can be purchased separately or in a bundle.

ADVOCACY SUCCESS

PERSISTENT GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ACTIVITIES

RESULT IN TRANSFORMATIVE WINS FOR CHBA MEMBERS

BY KEVIN LEE, CHBA CEO

Government advocacy-wise, this year has already been one of the best ever for the association.

After extensive advocacy by CHBA and provincial and local HBAs on behalf of members, the federal government put forth measures in this year’s federal budget that many seasoned veterans of the association noted is the most signi cant set of budget policy measures for our industry that they’ve seen in their lifetime.

Budget 2024 was largely focused on housing, with the rst two chapters (almost 53 pages) speci cally dedicated to housing a ordability and supply. Between the budget and the Federal Housing Plan released a week earlier, many recommendations found in CHBA’s policy infoguide (chba.ca/recommendations2024) and its Sector Transition Strategy (chba.ca/sectortransition) were included.

In fact, the budget was so focused on CHBA recommendations that when Housing Minister Sean Fraser appeared on CBC’s Power and Politics and was asked about achieving the government’s housing supply targets, he speci cally thanked CHBA for providing “invaluable advice that helped lead to the (new)

policies that (the federal government) believes will help scale home building production.”

A key measure CHBA secured for members was 30-year amortization periods for rst-time buyers on new construction homes. CHBA had been calling for a return to 30-year amortization periods for insured mortgages for more than a decade. Given concerns among policymakers over potential price escalation in the existing home market if applied more broadly, and the need to drive more housing supply, CHBA re ned the ask this year to focus on new construction only, which turned out to be a game changer. This revised ask was CHBA’s primary recommendation during its annual Day on the Hill, during which members and sta from across the country come to Ottawa to meet with MPs. The policy, which will come into force on Aug. 1, 2024, will help spur homebuilding and enable the sector to respond to the government’s goal of getting 5.8 million homes built over the next decade.

Another big win for members in this year’s budget is the government’s intention to create an industrial strategy for homebuilding. This includes measures to develop a new Home Building Technology and Innovation Fund, as well as new funding to scale-up innovative housing solutions, such as modular and panelized construction, through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies. These measures, which came as a direct result of CHBA’s Sector Transition Strategy, are welcome rst steps to help members boost their productivity.

Moreover, signi cant infrastructure funding will be needed to support investments in homebuilding, which the budget set out to address. Per CHBA recommendations, those

investments are being tied to housing outcomes. It proposed $6 billion over 10 years to launch a new Housing Infrastructure Fund that will accelerate the construction and upgrading of water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste infrastructure that directly enables new housing supply and increased in ll density. Further, this funding requires municipalities to adopt zoning that allows four units as-of-right and impose a three-year freeze on increasing development charges for municipalities with a population greater than 300,000.

Budget 2024 also included numerous other measures that CHBA recommended, including leveraging transit funding to build more homes, releasing public lands for residential development, and new programs to help both Canadians and newcomers consider a career in residential construction. These wins are just some examples of how the association works for members. CHBA looks forward to more consultations with government to help move these welcome measures to fruition.

While Budget 2024 represents one of the most successful ever for the homebuilding industry, many measures will require further re ning to be more e ective, and some are even potentially problematic, such as additional red tape being imposed in the form of newly required government lings. CHBA will continue to engage with government on items that are issues for the industry moving forward, and we look forward to those important discussions as well. Either way, there is no question CHBA continues to be a very e ective “voice of Canada’s residential construction industry,” with thanks to our members who help make it so.

MEET CHBA’S NEW PRESIDENT, MATT MCCURRACH

BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, CHBA

Last month during Home Building Week in Canada, we welcomed in the new President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. Matt McCurrach is President of Homex Development Corp., a builder/developer company based in Kamloops, BC.

McCurrach has served in volunteer roles at all levels of the association for over a decade, including as president of his local association of CHBA Central Interior and CHBA British Columbia, as well as serving on the CHBA national executive committee of the board for many years. He knows from experience that until you volunteer to be part of leadership teams, the people who serve on them can be perceived as different than typical members. It’s a stereotype that McCurrach says he and others are trying hard to break. During his year as president, Matt hopes he can make fellow members more comfortable and encourage them to step up in leadership positions.

“I’m just a regular builder,” says McCurrach. In his spare time, he enjoys live sporting events (especially the Canucks), spending time at Shuswap Lake, and being around friends and family. “I think there’s this perception that people on the board are future politicians. But that’s not the case; we’re just passionate members trying to better our industry.”

Anyone who speaks to McCurrach will sense immediately that he’s someone easy to talk to. He listens intently, and he’s keen to hear from as many members as he can during his upcoming travels across the country, and bring what he learns back to the national table. “Getting involved means you get to speak on behalf of members and advance our industry’s priorities,” McCurrach said during his inaugural address to the membership in Saint John, NB shortly after he was sworn in as president. And he’s looking forward to it.

FAST FACTS

Company Name: Homex Development Corp.

Head Offices: Kamloops, BC

Number of Full-Time Employees: 6-20

Approx. Gross Revenue: $20 M

Projects per year: 30 lots, 30 units

FINDING HIS STRIDE

Both of McCurrach’s parents worked as teachers when he was young, and his father built homes in the summer. As his business grew in the 1970s, the senior McCurrach gave up teaching to follow his true passion of homebuilding full time. At first, the business did well, but when the recession hit in the

1980s with its 20-per-cent interest rate environment, things took a turn and the family went broke. Matt, his sister and mother moved in with his grandparents in Victoria while his dad worked long hours on the brand-new Coquihalla Highway project, which today runs between Kamloops and Hope.

While the time was surely extremely challenging for his parents, Matt remembers the positive life lessons he learned from it. “My mom, who went back to work as a teacher,

always stayed positive. She showed us a strong work ethic and how to be good to others and treat them with compassion and respect,” he remembers. And after five years his dad got back into the home development business with even more success than those early years.

“I credit his success not only to his tenacity, creativity and ability to learn, but also to his strong belief in family and friends who provided the support system that helped him build the business back up.”

Coming CHBA Events

McCurrach began helping out with the business as a teen, like many builders and renovators do. He started out doing odd jobs and basic labour, and his dad and the site supervisors were determined to show him the ropes and prove that hard work pays off.

But he was reluctant to stick with the family business at first. “I didn’t want to be perceived as the ‘silver spoon kid,’ and chose to cut my teeth somewhere else,” McCurrach recalls.

FALL 2024

Call for entries for the 2025 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

OCT. 21-25, 2024

CHBA National Meetings Ottawa

MAY 11-15, 2025

CHBA Home Building Week

Right: Matt McCurrach and his father

He went to college in Victoria and got a summer job working as a labourer for a civil contractor. Within a few months, when the site superintendent was let go, the owner offered Matt the job, saying he was cut out for that career and didn’t understand why he wouldn’t take the job or work for his family business. Matt describes that experience as a lightbulb moment.

“Having an independent industry player tell me I was capable made me more comfortable with the idea of working in the family business. It gave me the confidence I needed to say ‘I can do this – it’s not preferential treatment,’” McCurrach says.

He rejoined the family business, got his Red Seal in carpentry, and proceeded to work harder than everyone else to prove he belonged. He advanced in his career, learning every aspect of the construction business. In 2014, he became the head of the company continuing his father’s legacy, and he thanks the colleagues who stood by his side as he worked his way up through the ranks. “Our business continues to be a success today, in large part because of those same people.”

LEADING A COMPANY

Today, Homex Development Corp. operates several divisions, including land acquisition,

development, civil works, as well as constructing both multi-family and single-family housing. They develop between 30 and 40 lots per year, and build approximately 30 multi-family units per year (low-rise condos and townhomes).

McCurrach enjoys both sides of the business, and the competitor in him relishes in the challenges that are always being presented. He loves the energy of a jobsite, the excitement of breaking ground and the satisfaction of completing a long and complicated project. A people person, McCurrach tries to get onsite as much as he can to connect with the tradespeople. “While I get a lot of satisfaction from the work itself, what I think I love most about homebuilding and land development are the people, the relationships created with suppliers, trades and professionals involved in our projects.”

THE BENEFITS OF GETTING INVOLVED

That passion and desire to connect with others is likely what keeps him actively involved in the association. Homex Development has been a member of CHBA Central Interior for more than 50 years. In 1974, Matt’s father was president of their local association, and played a key role in home warranty being implemented in British Columbia.

Matt says that what intrigued him personally about the association was that it brings together like-minded professionals who face similar challenges. He began taking on an active role with his local association after being asked to be a local presidential appointee, and hasn’t stopped since, contributing to all three levels of the association and helping achieve government relations wins on behalf of all members. He says that while members are often competitors, many aren’t shy to pick up the phone and share with each other. And those competitive barriers are broken down when you can go to bat together under the CHBA umbrella to fight things at city hall with more clout than any one company could do on its own. “Our three-level association has evolved into something even bigger than I ever would have anticipated. Our country-wide influence, specifically with government, is the single most prominent difference I’ve witnessed over time,” McCurrach says.

So why do members like him contribute so much? When asked, almost all have the same answer: The more you put into your membership, the more you get out of it. For Matt, the peer-to-peer mentoring that he’s been a part of by being involved is the key value of membership to him. “I can’t express enough how the advice and opinions from fellow members has helped contribute to the success of our business. I truly consider many of the people I’ve met through CHBA as my good friends.”

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PACIFIC WOODTECH

DELIVERING TOP-TIER ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS CANADA’S HOMEBUILDING INDUSTRY NEEDS

There’s so much beauty in Canada.

Picturesque environments dotted with cottages, vacation homes and resorts. Enchanting architecture in bustling cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary. It’s no wonder Canada is experiencing a load of growth right now. However, it can be difficult to keep up with.

Canada also endures challenging weather conditions, labour shortages and a demand for sustainable building practices that make fostering that growth difficult. Not to mention the additional needs for solving those challenges, including material quality, structural demands and cost.

Juggling all of these matters can be as tough as a Yellowknife winter. Fortunately, there’s a seasoned player in the building solutions industry providing a catch-all answer: PWT.

PWT crafts top-tier engineered wood products (EWP), and we’ve done it for 26 years. With so much time building, innovating and refining our product, we know the true power and versatility of this wood. But it’s not just about the wood with us, it’s about you. At PWT, we’re about building together. We strive to deliver an experience that understands, appreciates and cares about your success, no matter how you define it. Because our success is your achievement, and the relationship we build along the way.

But when it is about the wood, PWT’s EWP is lighter, more resilient and more efficient than traditional lumber. It’s engineered to have high strength and dimensional stability, so warping, shrinking and swelling are your last concern throughout the seasons. And you can rely on that no matter the sizing your structure needs.

EWP stands strong in the most innovative architectural designs and flexible floorplans, without support. Which makes sense since it’s manufactured under controlled conditions – its quality and performance is as consistent as its strength. But that’s only the beginning of what EWP offers Canadian builders.

PWT recognizes the value of sustainability and safety. Moreover, we’re their champions; because we engineer these values right into the core of their product. EWP isn’t just wood, it’s usually wood made out of wood. Smaller, less desirable pieces are usually scrapped and refined into premium lumber. But at PWT, our prime example of maximizing forest resources, and reducing waste, is that we produce ours from high-quality timber selected from sustainably managed forests. Another part of the EWP engineering process is building these pieces to exceed building code requirements. PWT makes its products pre-certified and ready for a variety of applications, while ensuring code compliance.

In addition to sustainability and safety, PWT effectively tackles some of the tougher parts of the building solutions industry as well: Cost and building on challenging sites. As mentioned previously, PWT’s production wastes less material, while creating a strong product. That reduces your need for larger, traditional lumber. On top of that, it’s built for quick installations, saving time and money on your projects. Another savings you get with EWP is space; it can be transported in a compact form to those hard to reach building sites throughout Canada’s landscape. Meaning that light, high quality, easily installable materials can come wherever you are.

But selling EWP isn’t the only business PWT is in, we’re also looking for change. After 26 years in this industry, we believe business isn’t what it used to be. It’s lost its sense of relationship, which is why PWT is striving to build something stronger, together. And that something includes you, and Canada.

BY THE numbers

A NUMBERS GAME

THE NEED FOR IMMIGRATION IN THE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

BY LEAH NORD, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, CHBA

BuildForce Canada, which provides reliable labour market information, tools and resources for the construction industry, released an Immigration Report Update in March 2024 that CHBA helped inform. The report tells the now well-known story of Canada’s aging population and illustrates why immigration has become the primary driver of population growth and the answer to labour shortages.

In 1972, 47 per cent of Canadians were under 25 years old. By 2021, that percentage shrank to 28 per cent. The impact of these demographic shifts has and will continue to be significant. BuildForce Canada estimates that 22 per cent of residential construction workers will retire by 2033, with 40 per cent of the workforce aging to 55-plus years old. The Government of Canada’s focus on addressing housing affordability and building an additional 3.5 million homes (for a total of 5.8 million) over the next decade would mean that the residential construction workforce would need to grow to more than 1.03 million workers by 2033 – a staggering 83 per cent above the status quo. In addition, to address the Government of Canada’s net zero and carbon neutral goals, BuildForce Canada’s April 2024 report, Building a Greener Future, found that as many as 16,300 new jobs relating to fuel

INCREASED RESIDENTIAL WORKFORCE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

566,190 2033 EMPLOYMENT

1,038,150 2033 EMPLOYMENT

471,960 (+83%) EMPLOYMENT CHANGE

Source: BuildForce Canada’s Residential Scenario Outlook 2024-2033

switching would be needed in the residential sector alone, while a further 40,600 would be needed to perform energy-efficiency retrofits. Although there have and will continue to be concerted recruitment efforts among Canada’s

domestic population, including significant efforts to diversify the residential construction workforce, we (alongside other sectors) will need new Canadians to address increasing labour shortages.

56,900 TOTAL NEW EMPLOYMENT

16,300 FUEL SWITCHING

Source: BuildForce Canada’s April 2024 report Building a Greener Future

40,600 ENERGY-EFFICIENCY RETROFITS

Declining number of skilled workers

Since 1967, Canada’s immigration system has remained largely unchanged, awarding points based on education, age and language proficiency. The impact on the residential construction sector is clearly demonstrated in the chart below. Most recently, between 2016 and 2021: 75 per cent of entrants had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and less than two per cent had an apprenticeship and/or non-apprenticeable trade certificate (which is also a considerable decrease from a nine-per-cent high between 1980 and 1990).

In 2013, the Government of Canada introduced the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) which was folded into the Express Entry program two years later. However, eligibility is onerous, and, for example, between 2020 and 2022 only 1,500 new Canadians came through the FSTP, which represents a mere 0.5 per cent

of the total admission under Express Entry programs.

Changes are coming, however. In May 2023, the government announced a category-based selection process to meet specific economic goals. CHBA applauded the inclusion of trades occupations as one of the

The solution: Modernize Canada’s immigration system to support win-win

CHBA served as a member of the Advisory Council for BuildForce Canada’s immigration report and co-developed four overarching recommendations for needed immigration reform: Address educational bias; federal-provincial/territorial alignment; involve industry; and support competency-based assessments. For the residential construction sector specifically, CHBA recommends that the Government of Canada work with the residential construction sector to:

1) Align immigration processes with labour market needs:

• Further enhance the recently announced trades category-based selection for Express Entry to support the sector, such as general labourers, trades helpers, carpenter assistants, concrete finishers and drywall installers.

• Identify three to five target countries for career promotion and recruitment, validation of qualifications and possibly employment pre-screening.

2) Facilitate labour market integration:

• Create a national online residential construction health and safety language program (that includes an option to complete pre-arrival).

15,000,000 10,000,000 5,000,000

six categories. However, there are still challenges for residential construction: The professions prioritized and eligible within the trades category are not aligned with the needs of the sector, and there is no way to track if/how/where any become employed building homes.

labour market integration

• Develop a framework for national competency-based assessment for general labourers in the residential construction sector.

• Support employers in their efforts to recruit, onboard, retain and promote workers to create sustained talent pipelines and ensure new Canadians are meaningfully integrated into the Canadian workforce.

3) Change the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to better facilitate hiring within the industry, including the above-mentioned online health and safety language training and targeting promising countries for promotion and assessment, as well as creating pathways to permanent residence.

Source: BuildForce Canada’s Immigration Report Update (March 2024)

Natural Rate of Population Growth (1) l Immigrants (1) l Total Population (2)

RENOVATORS’

RENOMARK IS ON THE MOVE

BY SARAH CARON, DIRECTOR, RENOVATION SERVICES, CHBA

In the dynamic world of home renovation, trust and quality are paramount. Renovators face the challenge of standing out in a crowded market while showcasing their worth to homeowners. Add in the current economic pressure, and the competition with cash operators can feel like a race to the bottom. This is where RenoMark steps in, offering a clear mark of distinction that elevates renovators’ credibility and professionalism.

The RenoMark program was first established in 2001 by BILD-GTA to connect homeowners with professional contractors who have agreed to abide by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct. The Renovators’ Mark of Excellence (the RenoMark symbol) makes it easy for homeowners to identify participating professional renovators who have agreed to provide a superior level of service.

Recognizing the value of the program and its benefit to renovator members across the country, CHBA and BILD-GTA began a partnership in 2017 to grow RenoMark into a comprehensive, national program. In the intervening years, membership in RenoMark swelled to include more than 1,200 companies from Newfoundland to British Columbia. The refresh of the RenoMark website, renomark.ca, and the launch of a number of social media channels further supported the growing awareness of the program.

On Feb. 7, 2024, the CHBA Board of Directors approved a joint motion brought forward by the Canadian Renovators’ Council (CRC) and the Executive Officers’ Council (EOC) for BILD-GTA to transfer ownership of the

With this move to CHBA, RenoMark has the potential to be a game changer for our renovator members across the country. My hope is that this will be the spark needed for all levels of the association to work together to establish RenoMark as a trusted

brand and mark of distinction that homeowners will seek out for all their home renovation needs.

RenoMark trademark and website to CHBA so that CHBA can facilitate the full administration of the RenoMark program to HBAs and members across the country.

As the transfer of the ownership of the RenoMark program from BILD-GTA to CHBA nears completion, CHBA is set to launch the much-anticipated RenoMark online verification system. This online tool will streamline the program’s administration through full integration with the national membership database, automated reminders, annual renewals and random audit capabilities.

The verification process is a crucial step in enhancing the credibility of the program with homeowners. It provides peace of mind knowing that every RenoMark member has been vetted and approved by a reputable,

national industry association. Additionally, the written contract and minimum two-year warranty required by the program provides an extra layer of protection, ensuring that any issues arising from the renovation will be promptly addressed. It is through this rigorous Code of Conduct, commitment to quality, and emphasis on clear communication that establishes RenoMark as the gold standard in home renovation.

However, the benefits of RenoMark are not limited to homeowners alone. For renovators and trade contractors, becoming a RenoMark member signifies a commitment to professionalism, integrity and continuous improvement. Aligning with the RenoMark brand provides additional access to valuable resources, training programs and networking opportunities within the industry. This not only helps

members stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices but also enhances your company’s reputation and credibility in the eyes of potential clients.

For CHBA members, the online verification is a simple three-step process:

1. Sign the RenoMark Code of Conduct. RenoMark members must attest to all 10 points in the Code of Conduct.

2. Upload required documentation. Members must provide a copy of their contract, warranty, and liability insurance as stipulated in the Code of Conduct.

3. Sign the RenoMark Licensing Agreement. Members must agree to the terms and conditions to use the RenoMark trademark.

CHBA is working closely with local and provincial HBAs to roll-out the online verification system in a coordinated approach. All existing RenoMark members will receive a series of automated emails with clear instructions to complete the verification process before the deadline or risk removal from the program. All other renovators and trade contractors will receive promotional information about the program and a link to join RenoMark by completing the verification process.

Once the verification process is complete, members will receive access to a full suite of

marketing materials to promote their designation as a RenoMark member. This includes RenoMark logos, social media posts, videos and images that are available for immediate use. RenoMark members are also encouraged to submit client testimonials and before and after project images to feature on the RenoMark website and social media channels.

The verification system is a pivotal step in enhancing the RenoMark program’s market offering and legitimacy with homeowners. This continued evolution of the RenoMark program is one more way that CHBA is delivering value to renovators across the country. Ensure that you stay up to date with all the latest news for renovators by subscribing to the Renovator Review in the members hub of the CHBA website.

THE RENOMARK VERIFICATION SYSTEM OFFERS A MYRIAD OF BENEFITS TO RENOVATORS:

RenoMark members gain credibility in the eyes of potential clients by undergoing a rigorous screening process. This demonstrates their commitment to upholding industry standards and ethical business practices.

The verification serves as a stamp of approval from a trusted authority, alleviating homeowners’ concerns and instilling confidence and peace of mind in their choice of renovator.

In a competitive landscape, the verification serves as a powerful differentiator that sets RenoMark members apart from cash operators by signaling a commitment to professionalism, quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

GET MORE WITH YOUR CHBA MEMBERSHIP

and use these deals as an employment perk for your staff

Deals Await! Special

CHBA member firms, and their staff, are eligible for discounts and special offers on a range of products and services through the CHBA National Advantages program. Make sure you’re letting your employees know that as their employer, your company’s membership with CHBA allows you to extend them group discounts and special offers — which is a great benefit of working for you.

Winners are And the

INTRODUCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 CHBA NATIONAL AWARDS FOR HOUSING EXCELLENCE

Leaders in the homebuilding, renovating and marketing communities once again gathered for the prestigious Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) National Awards for Housing Excellence recently, this year staged in Saint John, NB.

Forty-eight awards for excellence in housing were presented to the best of the best during CHBA’s Home Building Week in Canada.

It was a record-breaking year for the competition, with more than 900 entries from across the country, making each of the 48 categories highly contested.

“This year was our largest awards competition ever,” says CEO Kevin Lee. “We received entries from small family-run businesses that build and renovate just a few homes a year, and from larger companies that are building the neighbourhoods Canadians live in. The calibre of entries is a testament to the work and skills that are needed in the residential construction industry.”

In the following pages, we present winners that went home with the biggest awards and multiple awards. For a complete list, as well as an image gallery of all finalists, visit chba.ca/housing awards.

Vicky’s Homes

Edmonton | vickyshomes.ca

BEST CUSTOM KITCHEN “Vernazza”

Marketing Awards

BEST SIGNAGE

HIP Developments Inc., Cambridge, Ont., with Pureblink

BEST BROCHURE/KIT

EMBLEM Developments Inc., Toronto, with The Brand Factory, Arcadis IBI Group

BEST WEBSITE

Everglade Development, Richmond, BC, with Kevin Louis Design Inc.

BEST DIGITAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

Branthaven Homes, Burlington, Ont.

BEST PRINT AD

Activa, Waterloo, Ont.

BEST VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE

Tridel, Toronto, with II BY IV DESIGN, Pureblink, and The Brand Factory

BEST SALES OFFICE

ByBurnac, Toronto, with The Brand Factory

BEST LONG VIDEO (45 SECONDS AND LONGER)

Stranville Living, Lethbridge, Alta.

BEST INTERIOR DECORATING (MODEL/SHOWHOME)

Haven & Co., Saskatoon

BEST RENDERINGS

Cielle Properties Inc., Vancouver

BEST BEDROOM/ PRIMARY SUITE “Vernazza”

BEST BRANDING AND IDENTITY

ByBurnac, Toronto, with The Brand Factory

Renovation Awards

BEST KITCHEN RENOVATION

$70,000 TO $100,000

Enzo Design Build Inc., West Vancouver

BEST KITCHEN RENOVATION OVER $100,000

BRIKS Design Build Group, Toronto

BEST EXTERIOR RENOVATION

Vision Pacific Contracting Ltd., Whistler, BC

BEST SINGLE ROOM RENOVATION

West of Main, Ottawa

BEST WHOLE HOME RENOVATION UNDER $200,000

CADO Developments Inc., Lethbridge, Alta.

BEST WHOLE HOME RENOVATION

$200,000 TO $300,000

Benjamin Matthew Contracting Ltd., Edmonton

BEST WHOLE HOME RENOVATION

$300,001 TO $500,000

J. Zsiros Contracting Ltd., Courtenay, BC

BEST WHOLE HOME RENOVATION

$500,001 TO $800,000

Calgreen Homes, Calgary

BEST WHOLE HOME RENOVATION OVER $800,000

Coulson Design Build Inc., Amherstburg, Ont.

FOR IMAGES OF ALL THIS YEAR’S WINNERS, VISIT CHBA.CA/HOUSINGAWARDS

New Home Awards

BEST ATTACHED LOWRISE HOME

UNDER 1,500 SQ. FT.

Adisa Homes Ltd., Squamish, BC

BEST ATTACHED LOWRISE HOME OVER 1,800 SQ. FT.

Diverse Properties, Abbotsford, BC

BEST DETACHED PRODUCTION HOME UNDER 1,800 SQ. FT.

Jayman BUILT, Edmonton

BEST DETACHED PRODUCTION HOME

1,800 TO 2,100 SQ. FT.

Miracon Development Inc., Surrey, BC

BEST DETACHED CUSTOM HOME UNDER 2,500 SQ. FT.

Mavrik Home Builders Ltd., Saskatoon

BEST DETACHED CUSTOM HOME

2,501 TO 3,000 SQ. FT.

Blueline Contracting Ltd., Squamish, BC

BEST DETACHED CUSTOM HOME

3,001 TO 4,000 SQ. FT.

Icon Developments Ltd., Ucluelet, BC

BEST DETACHED CUSTOM HOME

4,001 TO 5,000 SQ. FT.

Upward Construction, North Vancouver, with SGDI Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

BEST DETACHED CUSTOM HOME

OVER 5,000 SQ. FT.

Lux Homes Design & Build Inc., London, Ont.

BEST BATHROOM

Jay Robinson Custom Homes Inc., Campbellville, Ont.

Winners ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP AWARDS

RECOGNIZING THE LEADERS WITHIN CHBA

Every year, volunteer members, HBAs and their sta work tirelessly to build strong communities, strengthen the industry and give back to cities, towns and neighbourhoods across Canada. The CHBA Association Leadership Awards honour the leaders within our Association – both individuals and our local and provincial homebuilders’ associations. This year’s honours were given out during CHBA’s Home Building Week in Canada in Saint John, NB. Congratulations to the very deserving recipients, who you can learn more about on the next pages.

Left to right: Andy Oding (Member of the Year), Pat Daniels (President of GOHBA, HBA of the Year), Jason Burggraaf (EO of the Year), Rose Choy (EO of CHBA-CI, Community Service Award Recipient)

2024 LEADERSHIP awards

MEMBER OF THE YEAR – ANDY ODING

The prestigious Member of the Year award is a long-term achievement award. It was presented this year to Andy Oding, an active member in London HBA and Waterloo Region HBA (both in Ontario). Oding has volunteered many hours for the association at all three levels, and this award was given for his extensive activity at the national level.

Oding is a long-time contributor to CHBA’s committees and councils. He served as Chair of the Technical Research Committee for two years (2017 to 2019) and was a founding member of the Net Zero Council, serving as its rst Chair from 2014 to 2017, and currently still participating as a member of its Management Committee. Regardless of his role, Oding is always an active participant in national committee and council meetings, providing his expertise and frequently encouraging discussion among members at the meetings and during breaks.

With 20-plus years of experience as a builder, Andy Oding is also a recognized Building Science specialist, HVAC designer, Master Energy Advisor and Net Zero Energy Advisor. With his deep understanding of our industry, Oding is a sought-after speaker and trainer, bringing real-life practicality to building science principles and its application in the eld. He has been involved in various RD&D projects that have helped the continuous evolution of CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program and he continues to play a critical role in its development.

Oding is committed to ensuring the voice of our industry is clearly heard, and he represents members by working on various committees shaping the National Building Code of Canada, especially pertaining to energy e ciency in

residential construction. His involvement with the association, and his dedicated work on behalf of members, is exemplary. Oding is a most deserving recipient of Member of the Year for 2024.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE YEAR – JASON BURGGRAAF

The Executive O cer of the Year goes to the sta leader of a local or provincial association who has demonstrated exceptional leadership of their association, as well as the ability to work e ectively with volunteer leaders to create a strong and positive voice for the housing industry, including administration, nancial and human resource management, policy development and advocacy, membership development, media relations and communications. This year’s recipient was Jason Burggraaf from the Greater Ottawa HBA (GOHBA) in Ontario.

With Burggraaf at the helm, GOHBA has had three straight years of growth in its nancial position and last year was able to add two new sta members to enhance the HBA’s capacity and value of service to members. Burggraaf knows that many elements go into membership growth and retention, and recognizes the importance of fostering an environment of caring among sta and members. As a result of GOHBA’s activities, membership has grown 33 per cent in the last two years.

Burggraaf has not only shown strong leadership within his association, but also

among the community at large. He regularly meets with city sta , councillors and the mayor to discuss industry issues and collaborate on solutions. Due to that involvement, Burggraaf is a respected voice in the city and is invited regularly to speak at several committees, resulting in wins for the association. He recently began serving a four-year term as the residential construction industry representative on the city’s public Planning Advisory Committee, and is able to represent members in an impactful way. Furthering the presence of the association, Burggraaf is often featured on local TV and radio talking about industry issues and promoting housing a ordability and supply.

Beyond his local association, Burggraaf previously took on a leadership role within the Executive O cers’ Council (EOC), which is made up of the lead sta member from each association across the country and exists so that EOs can share information and support one another to the betterment of each of their local/provincial associations. Jason served on the EOC Management Committee for several years and continues to provide support to fellow HBAs however he can, especially on governance, policy and advocacy, but also on administrative issues, including implementing the new membership database system GrowthZone, which many HBAs across the country have begun using. He is an asset not only to his own local association, but across the country.

Right: Andy Oding, Member of The Year. Far Right: Jason Burggraaf, Executive Officer of the Year from Greater Ottawa HBA

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD –CHBA – CENTRAL INTERIOR

The Community Service Award was given to CHBA – Central Interior (CHBA-CI), a local association based in Kamloops, BC. The members and sta are dedicated to giving back to their community, and they pair their e orts with the development of the local industry’s capacity. As part of a 33-year partnership with Thompson Rivers University, members and rst-year construction, electrical, plumbing, welding and HVAC students build a Training House, which

This year, a lifetime achievement award was presented posthumously to Kathleen Maynard, CHBA’s Senior Director of Building Innovation. Kathleen spent decades working in the housing industry and was a trailblazing and central contributor to the sector. Her husband travelled to New Brunswick to accept the honour on her behalf. Read more about Kathleen’s contributions here: chba.ca/ kathleen.

provides valuable hands-on building experience to the next generation of residential construction trades. Upon completion, the Training House is then sold to the YMCA/YWCA for their annual Dream Home Lottery fundraiser, the proceeds of which fund programs directly bene ting the entire community for a full year.

It’s a community service project that involves a large number of CHBA-CI’s membership and signi cant sta resources. This past year, 85 member companies from this HBA donated materials, money, labour or expertise to the project. Tools worth $10,000 were provided to all students who worked on the house, and the top ve students received bursaries totalling $5,000.

In addition to bene tting students and the community, the project receives plenty of media attention, building awareness of the project’s uniqueness, innovations and importance to the area, which fosters community engagement and participation on a broad scale.

HBA OF THE YEAR – GREATER OTTAWA HBA

The HBA of the Year Award recognizes overall excellence by an HBA in delivering a strong and positive voice for the homebuilding industry, and in supporting the business success of members and their ability to provide a ordability, quality and choice in housing for consumers. This year’s recipient was the Greater Ottawa HBA (GOHBA), who introduced several new initiatives this year, including a monthly report highlighting housing activity and the role of sales in addressing a ordability and supply, an online platform bringing awareness to careers possibilities in the industry, and a new series of semi-annual events promoting empowerment, diversity and the dynamic world of women leaders in their local home building community.

GOHBA is in an era of prioritizing membership growth and retention. The association gained 76 new members last year, many of

which came from investing in a new social media strategy. In addition to gaining new members, the organization retained nearly all existing members – the impressive retention rate of 99.7 per cent was likely helped by the development of a four-step check-in process to welcome and retain members. Members have a lot of connection points with the association, including monthly committee and council meetings, weekly newsletters and several events, including a new Family Fun Day for members and their employees to bring their families to a local park to enjoy games and free lunch together.

A major focus of GOHBA is government advocacy, and this past year the association was instrumental in the removal of the provincial portion of HST on new purpose-built rental, in the city signing its Municipal Housing Pledge to build 15,000 new homes a year for 10 years, and several other wins with city council, including around density, brown elds and municipal application of building codes. The members and sta at GOHBA are doing great things and are very deserving of this award.

Congratulations to all of the recipients of this year’s Association Leadership Awards.

Rose Choy, CHBA – Central Interior

Kathleen Maynard 1961-2024

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Great outdoors The

EXTERIOR LIVING SPACE IMPROVEMENTS CREATING NEW MARKETS FOR HOMEBUILDERS, RENOVATORS AND CONTRACTORS

Canadian homebuyers and homeowners today envisage their outdoor spaces – however big or small they might be – as extensions of their home’s interiors.

Be they backyards, decks, smaller side areas or elaborate water frontages, these spaces are seen as a retreat, an oasis, a refuge and comfort zone.

The COVID-19 pandemic, with its restrictions and inside-the-home cocooning, acted as an emotional accelerant that created a strong desire for people to enjoy the freedom of being outside.

One result is the rapid evolution of the traditional backyard tool shed outbuildings to purpose-designed structures serving as home offices, artist’s studios, writing and hobby retreats, mini-gyms and outdoor poolside refreshment bars.

Adapting “bunkies” to various purposes can be relatively cost-effective compared with renovating inside the home. Indoor amenities are morphing into outside possibilities.

Backyard kitchens and outdoor living rooms are part of this transformation. According to a report by KVB Research, the outdoor kitchen market is expected to grow in North America by 7.3 per cent compound annual growth rate in the 2022 to 2028 period, and in Canada by 9.5 per cent in the same period.

BY

It’s a burgeoning market for kitchen cooking-related appliances, cabinetry and living room furniture and accessories made with weather and insect-resistant materials and construction techniques.

Another development is backyard “dining rooms” featuring moisture and insect-resistant furniture and accessories.

Traditional decks and patios are evolving into significant structural platforms to host these new applications at grade or abovegrade levels.

In backyard landscape design, having a water feature as a focal point is trending up. A pond, waterfall, fountain or other decorative water feature can enhance the backyard’s retreat atmosphere. These can be designed to be natural-looking, environmentally friendly and requiring minimum maintenance.

Looking at the overall market, the trend toward homeowners wanting backyards to have similar comforts to the home’s interior is on an upward trajectory.

Canadian homeowners are making significant financial investments in backyard improvements. And buyers value backyard amenities and are willing to pay for them.

Let’s take a look at a selection of these features, products and finishes that can help you cater to your clients’ evolving demands.

Outdoor kitchen equipment

Outdoor Kitchen Supplies features a wide variety of outdoor kitchen equipment, including pizza ovens, gas grills, charcoal grills, accessories and parts. outdoorkitchensupplies.ca

Column styles

Multiple styles are available for all columns from Superior Aluminum. Each can be customized to any desired diameter, length and finish – no matter if you call them columns, pillars, posts or poles. superioraluminum.com

Outdoor kitchens

A contemporary outdoor kitchen concept/ design by Outeriors includes cooking appliances/cabinetry, outdoor furniture and accessories, seating area and a fire pit. outeriors.com

Backyard or poolside structures

For those looking to add complementary structures to pool or yard spaces, the appropriately named Backyard Escape Studios has it all – everything from pool houses, fitness studios, recreation studios, recording spaces, bunkies and more.

backyardescapestudios.ca

Multi-purpose outbuildings

Bunkies are often a great solution to outdoors space needs, whether for cottage or home, and provide 99 to 220 sq. ft. of extra living space. This Hideaway bunkie, for example, is available in 159 or 199 sq. ft. models. bunkielife.com

THE INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF BACKYARDS

HOMEBUYERS RECOGNIZE THAT BACKYARDS WITH CONTEMPORARY AMENITIES COME AT A PRICE. AND THEY KNOW THAT INVESTING IN THE BACKYARD WILL PAY OFF WHEN THEY WANT TO SELL.

Deck lighting

Trex Outdoor Deck Lighting offers a variety of energyefficient and easy-to-install LED lighting options for outdoor decks. These include post cap lights, deck rail lights, and stair riser lights. trexrainescape.com

TOP OUTDOOR AMENITIES

HOMEBUYERS AND OWNERS WANT

OUTDOOR KITCHEN AREA

OUTDOOR DINING AREA

OUTDOOR LIVING AREA

DECK/PATIO – MORPHING INTO SUBSTANTIAL PLATFORMS TO SUPPORT SPECIALIZED AREAS

WATER FEATURE

FIRE FEATURE LIGHTING

Outdoor seating furniture

Mistral outdoor seating from Cozey features a robust aluminum frame and water-resistant fabric that withstands the outdoors.

cozey.ca

The versatility of brick

Brick has long been a go-to building material for its warm appearance, strength and flexibility. Shouldice Stone offers solid, frogged and hollow core bricks in a range of colours and surface finishes that can be used to create any design. Every Shouldice Stone product is backed up by a lifetime guarantee. shouldice.ca

Enhancing backyards with a fire and water feature

Aquascape Fire and Water features can light up a backyard with a focal point in the water garden. Flickering flames combine with flowing water to create a truly unique atmosphere. Fire and water features can be introduced as stand-alone water features. With a quick setup and installation process, upgrading outdoor living spaces is not difficult. aquascapeinc.com

Composite railings

Traverse composite railing features a smooth, contemporary T-Rail profile vinyl cap for ease of maintenance and strong material composition to defend against damage from moisture, rot, insects and other harmful elements. Available in three colour options – including an exclusive grey. moistureshield.com

Powershare

system from Worx

Worx PowerShare is a unique 20V modular system that allows you to combine the same battery to multiply voltage to 40V and even 80V. PowerShare batteries are available in a choice of capacities so that you can choose what you need.

com

DEWALT Canada powershift compactor

The DEWALT Powershift Rammer compactor features patented soft start and two speeds for precise compaction up to 18 in. dwalt.ca

The right tools for the job

Milwaukee Tool M18 18V Li-Ion Cordless Combo Tool Kit (6-tool) includes the M18 half-in. hammer drill/driver (2602-20); M18 quarter-in. hex impact driver (2650-20); Sawzall Recip Saw (262020); M18 6.5-in. circular saw (2630-20); M18 4.5-in. cut-off/grinder (2680-20); and M18 Work Light (49-24-0171). milwaukeetool.ca

Ryobi pressure washer

For those backyard and other yard space clean-up assignments, consider the 3100 PSI 2.3 GPM Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer. Trigger handle, 35-ft. non marring high-pressure hose, five-in-one quickexchange-over nozzle, extension wand and premium engine lubricant. ryobitools.ca

The smoothest road to EV charging yet

Eaton’s Charging Network Manager software makes managing all your EV charging applications easy. Scan for more information about our Charging Network Manager software/app

DEVELOPERS’ corner

LAND EXPROPRIATION

ANOTHER FAVOURABLE CHBA OUTCOME AT THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA FOR DEVELOPER MEMBERS

BY NICOLE STORESHAW, DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CHBA

Arecent and unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) provides greater certainty in the law related to how compensation for a “constructive taking” – or expropriation of land – must be determined. This is another positive precedent-setting outcome for CHBA’s developer members thanks in large part to successful CHBA intervention at the SCC.

With the sizable investment and long-term planning that goes into land acquisition, developers should not also need to factor into their risk assessment the possibility that the land could be expropriated by the municipality without fair compensation. Expropriation does happen, so the issue becomes about compensation, which is why the outcome of a recent appeal in St. John’s, Newfoundland – City of St. John’s v Wallace Lynch et al. – is very positive for CHBA, again setting a favourable precedent for similar cases, providing more certainty for CHBA developer members.

This is the second time CHBA has been a successful intervenor in a land expropriation case, the first being Annapolis v Halifax Regional Municipality where, in its verdict in late 2022, the court provided guidance on a constructive taking of property. In that case, the court ruled that municipalities cannot take away all uses of land without due compensation: an important decision for CHBA developer members.

In the St. John’s case, CHBA was involved in an appeal to ask the court to provide more

direction to ensure that compensation is determined in a fair, consistent and equitable manner when property is taken by government. The outcome of this most recent case is another successful result at the SCC for CHBA’s developer members across Canada, and one that is even being lauded by the legal community in the U.S.

ABOUT THE CASE

The Lynch family of St. John’s owned property under the jurisdiction of the City of St. John’s that allowed residential property development. In the 1990s, the property was newly identified as being within a watershed, and from that point in time residential development was no longer permissible and only three uses were allowed: Agriculture, forestry and public utilities. This is referred to as a “constructive taking” by the municipality, and compensation to the landowner is required. What was unclear was how the value of what was owed should be calculated.

The matter of compensation was referred to the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities. The Board later sent a special case to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador requesting direction on whether compensation should be assessed based on the uses permitted by the existing watershed zoning (essentially, what the land was valued at after the municipality changed the zoning) or whether the new zoning should be ignored and the value determined as if residential development were permissible.

THE POINTE GOURDE RULE

The question that was sent to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador required the application of the Pointe Gourde principle. This principle dictates that when determining compensation in expropriation matters, no account should be taken of the expropriation or the development for which the expropriation is required. This rule has developed as a matter of fairness to ensure owners are not provided greater or lesser compensation on account of the planning for the expropriation and associated works for which their land is being acquired.

The consistent and fair application of the Pointe Gourde rule provides certainty to property owners and ensures fair compensation to those who have their property taken

“ The court emphasized that governments cannot be permitted to downzone property in order to reduce compensation payable to landowners. ”

without consent. However, applying this rule has proven complicated in many circumstances and there has been very little direction from the courts on how to apply this rule.

CHBA’S INVOLVEMENT

CHBA opted to seek intervenor status once again in a case that was headed to the Supreme Court of Canada, given the precedent-setting importance it could have across the country. CHBA was represented by Shane Rayman, a leading expropriation lawyer and partner at Rayman Harris LLP who presented CHBA’s case before the Court in November 2023. “CHBA engaged in this appeal as it is important to ensure consistency and predictability in the law relating to the taking of property by government,” says CHBA CEO Kevin

Lee. “The fair and consistent application of land expropriation rules decrease the risk of property ownership and ensures fairness to developers.”

WHAT IT MEANS FOR CHBA’S DEVELOPER MEMBERS

The unanimous decision is a victory for developers who find themselves in similar situations, as the ruling now provides clarity and will create greater certainty in the determination of compensation.

In its decision, the court emphasized that governments cannot be permitted to downzone property in order to reduce the compensation payable to property owners. And while property owners are to not be placed in a better position than they would

have been without the expropriation, the court’s ruling helpfully clarifies previous rulings on the topic. The court gave considerable weight to the submissions of CHBA and the arguments of the legal team at Rayman Harris.

This decision is a positive outcome for the developer community, as it provides a balanced and fair endorsement of the continued applicability of the Pointe Gourde principle. This clarification will help to ensure that the purpose of expropriation compensation statutes across Canada are maintained and that fundamental principles are honoured in the determination of compensation where land is taken in any form, which will help to limit the risk of investment for developers.

FIRE PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

HAVING A PLAN IS KEY TO MINIMIZING YOUR RISK

BY RYAN JONES, VICE-PRESIDENT, RISK SERVICES, FEDERATED INSURANCE

Although we’re still in the early days of summer, wildfires have already begun burning across the country. According to Natural Resources Canada, the 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded in our country, and widespread from the West Coast to the Atlantic Provinces and in the North. In a typical year, an average of 2.5 million hectares of Canadian land are consumed by fire. By early September 2023, a staggering 16.5 million hectares of land had been ravaged by fire – more than double the 1989 record.

As our climate changes and we experience more extreme weather, record high temperatures and dry conditions, the risk of wildfires intensifies.

It’s not just land that is at risk. Infrastructure, buildings, homes and entire communities are increasingly in the path of devastating fire. Damages sustained are not only limited to fire damage, but also can include smoke and water damage to property and homes.

While wildfire risk is often discussed from a homeowner’s perspective, we know that builders and renovators, and their subcontrac-

tors, can also be impacted. If you are in possession of a home under construction or land, or if you’re renovating a home, your property, crew and equipment may be at risk. Whether you build or renovate, if your business is shut down due to evacuation orders, you may face further financial losses.

Building design, how you manage the site and property conditions, and how you plan for a wildfire event can drastically minimize

• Vents: Keep clear of combustible debris, ensure vents are made of non-combustible material, such as metal, and ensure they are ASTM fire rated. Cover roof vents with fire and corrosion resistance screens.

your risk. Unless the home being built is constructed in a factory away from the wildfire area, the following points may help builders or renovators reduce fire losses on their project sites.

BUILDING DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE

• Roof (the most susceptible part of a home when it comes to wildfire): Roof coverings made of Class-A fire resistant material such as asphalt shingles, or non-combustible materials such as metal, clay or concrete tile offer the best protection.

• Gutters: Keep clear of combustible debris by cleaning and inspecting eaves on a regular basis, even during construction.

• Siding: Vinyl siding is vulnerable to melting, and wood siding is combustible. In contrast, masonry veneer, poured concrete, stucco and fibre cement boards offer superior fire resistance.

• Fireplaces: Install a spark arrestor for the chimney of any woodburning fireplace to reduce the chance of sparks or embers escaping and starting a fire.

LANDSCAPING (AND SITE MAINTENANCE)

Best practices for landscaping, property access and fire safety can be applied to site maintenance while the home is under construction, as well as when the home is occupied by residents.

Having a fuel reduction area (or a safety zone) helps protect the property from fire, and

having good emergency access to the property can make all the difference. Wherever possible, the following are best practices:

• Maintain a 1.5-metre non-combustible surface perimeter around the building footprint, according to FireSmart Canada. This area should also be kept clear of combustible materials, including construction materials, decking, patio furniture or vegetation.

• Maintain a separation between buildings, automobiles, fuel tanks, outside storage areas and high grass or wooded areas.

• Avoid stacking/storing combustible materials, such as wood, against the house – store a suitable distance away from the home, being mindful not to store it against outbuildings.

• Ensure the property is easily identifiable to the fire department, and that driveways and access roads are well maintained, adequately sized and properly graded, even during construction. Design roads and parking areas to accommodate fire department vehicles.

Fire safety is important for all property owners, but extra steps are necessary to reduce the risk of fire in wildfire areas.

• Store combustible and flammable materials: Ensure they’re stored in approved containers and that they’re located outdoors at an acceptable distance from buildings, fences and vehicles (consult local authorities for specific laws and requirements). If the home is on a slope, store them lateral to the building, not uphill or downhill.

• Smoking areas: Establish a safe outdoor smoking zone, such as a paved area, where dropped smoking materials are less likely to start a fire. Provide appropriate containers for discarding smoking materials.

• Store garbage and construction waste in fire resistant waste containers with tight fitting lids.

• Avoid burning outdoors in dry weather or during the wildfire season.

WILDFIRE RESPONSE PLAN

Builders/renovators should create a written wildfire response plan and make it accessible to all employees, with copies readily available for staff and anyone on the jobsite. In addition, you should:

• Hold regular discussions to ensure everyone on the jobsite and any office staff know how to respond and communicate when a wildfire hits.

• Practice drills to provide employees and subcontractors experience with properly reacting to wildfires in the event of an emergency.

• Know evacuation routes and practice travelling along them, and know the safest place to go if you’re evacuated.

• Set up ongoing data backup for your office computer systems so you can access data remotely in the event of an emergency.

• Reserve or make an agreement with an

alternate location to continue business operations away from known wildfire zones during a wildfire event.

Minimizing your wildfire risk, including taking steps to prevent the spread of wildfire and having a response plan in place, is more critical now than ever. During wildfire seasons, stay up to date with your local Fire Danger Warning level. If you’re under a wildfire advisory, stay current with your local news station, and visit the government of Canada wildfire website and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre for situation reports and interactive maps.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure your business remains safe. Demonstrate your commitment to the safety of your employees, customers, and business by leaving nothing to chance. To learn more about key risk management practices that can assist your business, visit federated.ca.

JWC8500 SERIES WINDOW

Embrace the future with JELD-WEN of Canada’s most energy-efficient window. JELD-WEN of Canada proudly presents the innovative JWC8500 series window, meticulously engineered to exceed customer expectations with the perfect blend of style, performance and energy savings.

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YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FUTURE. OUR FOCUS

No one can predict the future of the real estate and construction sector, but you can prepare your business for the best possible outcomes, while capitalizing on opportunities. MNP’s proven track record in this industry ensures you get the innovative business strategies, efficient operations and a tax plan that takes you from where you are to where you want to be.

MNP

mnp.ca

KNOWING YOUR BUSINESS MATTERS

No two businesses are alike, so we take the time to get to know yours. With a dedicated Federated agent and risk management team on your side, you always get personalized service, trusted advice, and tailored protection.

TEAM 2000

Since 1998, Team 2000 has risen to become one of the leading independent sales and marketing realtors in the southern Ontario. We build relationships and we keep them. We attribute our success to our proven ability to get the superior results our clients demand. Our management team is made up of dynamic professionals who push hard for their clients and have earned respect within the industry.

PWT – FOCUSED ON EWP

PWT prioritizes quality, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to innovation and top-notch engineered wood products (EWP) since 1998. We remain dedicated to industry-leading innovation and high-quality EWP products. This approach allows us to offer complete indoor and outdoor whole-home solutions, making us the preferred EWP supplier. Our customers’ confidence in our products and service is the foundation of our business.

PACIFIC WOODTECH pwtewp.com

GRANDVIEW MULTI-SLIDE PATIO OPENING SYSTEM

Westeck’s GrandView Multi-slide patio opening systems redefine the indoor –outdoor living experience. Offering maximized views and sleek sightlines, Westeck’s patio opening systems are customizable to suit your design needs. Enjoy seamless operation and performance without compromise.

FEDERATED INSURANCE federated.ca

TEAM 2000 team2000realty.com

WESTECK westeckwindows.com

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

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.

Logel Homes builds new community hub

BILD Calgary member Logel Homes partnered with McMan Youth, Family, and Community Services Association of Calgary & Area to build a new community space in its 27-unit transitional housing development, The James House. The James House was built in 2018 by Logel Homes in partnership with Cardel Homes, the Resolve Campaign and various government stakeholders to provide temporary housing options and individualized support to unhoused Calgarians. Building on that momentum, the new community space, aptly dubbed “The Hub,” features a community kitchen, computer space and counselling office to support individuals who are currently facing homelessness, while receiving various community resources to aid in their transition to sustainable and permanent housing.

Centennial Homes supports families

Niagara HBA member Centennial Homes, and its network of suppliers and subtrades, have committed to build four townhomes in support of Habitat for Humanity Niagara. The homes, which have broken ground in Thorold, Ont., will allow Habitat for Humanity Niagara to provide more affordable housing to deserving families in the Niagara region. “By building these four townhomes, Centennial Homes and their team of subtrades will make a positive impact on the lives of local families who will soon call these homes their own,” says Mark Carl, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara. Centennial Homes Founder and President Domenic DiLalla says that as a locally-owned family business, it brings him and his staff great joy to be able to give back to the community that has helped the company grow.

“Together, we are not just building houses,” he says. “We are building hope, stability and brighter futures for our community.”

CHBA-CO empowers women in industry

As part of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan’s (CHBA-CO) unwavering commitment to empowering women in the residential construction industry, the HBA has created a scholarship to help women taking construction-related post-secondary programs in the Okanagan. Launched by CHBA-CO’s Women in Construction Committee, the $2,000 “Women in Construction Education Award” can be used for study, living expenses, daycare, rent and other associated costs. “We believe in women supporting women,” says Sara Tabadora, the committee’s Chair. “Through this award, we aim to set an example and guide aspiring individuals in their educational journey. Together, let’s pave the way for future generations of women to thrive in this dynamic field.”

Applicants who are part of or not yet (but intend to be) enrolled in a construction-related program are eligible to apply by Aug. 1. The recipient will be announced on Sept. 1.

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF WINDOWS

DURABLE AND LOW-MAINTENANCE

VINYL AND ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION

ALUMINUM-C L AD EXT E RIO R, OF F ER E D I N AN A TT R AC T IV E S EL EC T ION OF COL O UR S

SL EEK, LOW -P ROF IL E HARD W ARE DE SI GN

ENERG Y -E FFI CIENT DUAL -P ANE AN D TRI- P ANE LOW-E GLAS S O PT IONS

26% LO WER P RO F IL E F RAM E INCR EASES GLA SS AR EA

UP TO 22% BE TTER ENE R GY E F FI C IENC Y

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Discover the advantages of JELD-WEN of Canada’s most energy-efficient window. Our 8500 series windows are 2030-rated to meet Canada’s U-Factor 0.14 (U.S./I-P) / 0.82 (Metric/SI) or ER 44 building codes, and are designed to significantly reduce energy costs while ensuring year-round comfort in your home.

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Your business. Your future. Our focus.

No one can predict the future of the real estate and construction sector, but you can prepare your business for the best possible outcomes, while capitalizing on opportunities. MNP’s proven track record in this industry ensures you get the innovative business strategies, efficient operations and a tax plan that takes you from where you are to where you want to be.