CEO’S LETTER

CEO’S message

BUILDING RESOURCES

CHBA HELPS MOVE THE INDUSTRY FORWARD DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES

BY KEVIN LEE, CHBA CEO

It has been a busy fall for Canadians as we rebound from – but still deal with – the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, October brought the onset of phase two, further complicating any semblance of a new normal. While the industry has been able to restart to a level that is more positive than initially projected, with that rebound has come other challenges, as many members experience labour disruptions, escalated lumber prices and availability challenges, slowdowns on approvals at city hall, and more. CHBA is actively in dialogue with the federal government, and producting tools and documentation to support our local and provincial associations with their governments, on these and and many other issues impacting the residential construction industry.

To support these conversations, CHBA recently released our annual Economic Impacts Factsheets, which report on the significant impacts the residential construction industry has across Canada at the national, provincial, and community levels. These factsheets are used by local and provincial HBAs

throughout the year to illustrate the industry’s breadth to government officials.

This year, the factsheets were released in tandem with our new publication: Residential Construction in Canada – Economic Performance Review 2019 with 2020 Insights. The report provides a holistic overview of the housing market and leverages published government data to tell the story of our industry.

And that story is that our industry continues to play a key role in the Canadian economy. The residential construction sector is one of Canada’s largest employers: in 2019, there were a total of 1.3 million on-site and off-site jobs in new home construction, renovation, and repair. In addition, our industry is also the largest single wealthbuilder for most families and provides for $142.6 billion in economic investment (an increase of $2.5 billion from 2018).

The health of the residential construction industry is inexorably tied to the health of the Canadian economy, and these numbers illustrate the importance of new homebuilding and renovation in every community across the country. The report reinforces that a strong residential construction sector is a key to a successful economic recovery for the economy as a whole.

CHBA also recently released its first Municipal Benchmarking Study, another tool meant to help local associations communicate and collaborate with their municipalities to address affordability and housing supply. This complex initiative was completed with support from HBAs across the country and CHBA’s Urban Council. It examines how local development processes, approvals, and charges contribute to housing affordability and supply issues in major housing markets across Canada, and what best practices are being used to address these.

Highlights from the study can be found in this issue’s “By the Numbers” article (see page 12). So far, the study has gotten an enthusiastic response from members, HBAs, and municipalities. It is helping to frame discussions that should contribute to positive changes at city hall for years to come.

Speaking of highlights, members have been kept informed on these important product releases, as well as action CHBA has taken on all issues throughout the pandemic, through email, newsletters, and in CHBA Industry Highlights – a daily and weekly media scan on housing issues and developments with CHBA commentary. If you’re not already getting this great resource sent to your inbox, I highly recommend you subscribe by emailing communications@chba.ca. It’s part of your membership advantage.

Thank you to all of you who renewed your membership this past year, enabling us to continue to support you and your businesses. And as our President preaches, please encourage more of your industry colleagues to join this association of yours too. The association at all three levels is doing important work to support your business and the housing aspirations of Canadians. The more members we have, the more all levels of the association can do to help you thrive through any situation – even a pandemic. Stay healthy!