3 minute read
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
PRESIDENT’S message
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
THE MORE MEMBERS CHBA HAS, THE STRONGER OUR VOICE IS ON INDUSTRY ISSUES
BY JOHN MEINEN, CHBA PRESIDENT
The resiliency of the new home construction and residential renovation industry continues to impress me. Earlier this year when the pandemic arrived in Canada, we were deemed essential in most areas of Canada and carried on. But we all had to make changes to how we operated, and eight months later we are still feeling the effects of this global event. But as always, we keep building and renovating homes for Canadians.
The resiliency of our industry, along with Canadians’ further strengthened view of the importance of home, has led to an unexpected consequence: the rising price and shortage of lumber and related products. Canada’s lumber woes are a result of a series of compounding factors, including lowered production due to early 2020 forecasts and then COVID-19 limitations, transportation issues, and ongoing trade issues, all set against much higher-than-expected construction demand through the spring, summer, and fall.
While the strength in demand for housing has been good, the downside has been that many of us have seen our construction costs and timelines affected. The increased prices on lumber products are adding $10,000 or more to the cost to build a typical new home. Seeing this coming, CHBA has been engaged with our counterparts in the lumber industry since the summer to better understand the issue, work for resolution of the challenges as quickly as possible, and to share our industry’s concerns with the federal government, calling for leadership to address the challenges of this complex issue. CHBA has also been active in the media to raise awareness and inform consumers.
And while lumber prices are starting to come down, they are still very high; it is also critical that should there be more slowdowns of the economy, that governments work to ensure lumber mills be kept safe and operational, along with the transportation system. Residential construction is an essential service, but it can’t function if the supply chain breaks down.
There is also no question that this pandemic has been a challenge for our association at all three levels, but the resiliency of our industry is mirrored by resiliency with our association volunteers and staff. The association leadership has shifted gears, and while there are challenges, HBAs are pushing through. There is no question that we can all help though by recruiting more members to strengthen our cause. So, as usual, I call on you to recruit your industry colleagues.
In our HBA offices staff and member volunteers have pivoted. Large events and meetings have gone virtual. Online learning and content is being developed and delivered faster than planned. And while our golf tournaments and fundraisers may look a little different, we are still finding ways to come together safely, either in person or virtually, and to give back to our communities.
Meanwhile, for Canadians, the dream of homeownership in this country is alive and well – and with the pandemic, now stronger than ever. Our association continues to advocate for a strong and positive role for the housing industry in Canada’s economy and in the life and development of our communities. In addressing that goal, our businesses are supported.
Membership is the key to all of the work
we do. Through the pandemic, I have been told time and again about all the great work members are seeing done by the association on their behalf. And we know we can always do even more to support your business. But to do that, we need more members. We need more members to be even more effective at all levels of the association.
You are spokespeople for the association. If you want more done, be the one to make it happen. Tell the people who work alongside you or for you, and even your competition, about the association. With more members and voices, we can keep the association strong and build and renovate a stronger Canada.
