Activity Summary

On October 2, the citizens of Ontario voted for change. In the coming months and years the Liberal government under the leadership of the Premier Dalton McGuinty who will be sworn in with the new Cabinet on October 23rd, will lead our province in a new direction. OHBA will be there, as the future of Ontario is determined.

Liberal	72
PC	24
NDP	7

The new government will provide a fresh opportunity to breathe new life and new ideas into issues impacting the residential construction industry and all of Ontario. Our industry's future and the future of the Province of Ontario have always been and will continue to be intertwined and inseparable. OHBA will work with the new government to achieve workable solutions to housing issues to ensure the continued strength of the industry and the economy of Ontario at large.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Municipal elections are set for November 10th. We remind all members to carefully examine all candidates and how they will impact the residential construction industry. Hold all candidates meetings at your local association, make sure candidates are aware of construction related issues and how they will affect their respective municipalities.

OHBA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2003 / 2004 2

As part of the OHBA Annual General Meeting held at Deerhurst Resort on September 24th, the Executive Committee for the 2003-2004 Board of Directors was elected. The following dedicated volunteers will be your industry representatives for the OHBA Executive Committee:

President	Peter Saturno	Durham Region
1st Vice President	Dan Gabriele	Hamilton-Halton
2nd Vice President	Terry Kaufman	Greater Toronto
2nd Vice President	John Westgate	London
Treasurer	Sherry Speakman	Greater Toronto
Secretary	Scott Reid	Guelph
Past President	Rob Cooper	Hamilton-Halton

2003 OHBA RESOLUTIONS

This year 20 resolutions were tabled at the OHBA Annual General Meeting in Muskoka at Deerhurst Resort on Wednesday September 24th. Of these, 18 were carried. For copies of the 2003 Resolutions package call OHBA at 1-800-387-0109

OHBA AWARDS

HUGH HERON 2003 LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD

Hugh Heron, President of the Heathwood Group of Companies was presented OHBA's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2003 OHBA Conference in Muskoka. He was honoured for his long-standing contribution to the new housing industry in Ontario. Hugh, a Toronto area homebuilder for more than 36 years has been a strong advocate for the industry. He is a past chair of the Board of the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, the first residential builder to be appointed to this position. Hugh is also a past president of both GTHBA and OHBA and currently serves as a member of the Board for CMHC.

MONARCH DEVELOPMENTS WIN ONTARIO HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR

Monarch Developments Corporation captured top honours at the 2003 Awards of Distinction at Deerhurst Resort. Monarch was named the first ever Ontario Home Builder of the Year. The prestigious award is among 24 categories in the Awards of Distinction program, which honours innovation and excellence in the areas of design and sales and marketing among Ontario homebuilders, renovators and new home marketers.

Member of the Year: Wayne Dempsey (Muskoka)
Local Association of the Year: GTHBA
Special Recognition: Stephen Dupuis (GTHBA)
Special Recognition: Denise Lafond (Sudbury)

OHBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Annual Conference at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka. OHBA invites all delegates to return and hopes to see many new faces next year at the OHBA 2004 Annual Conference at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka, Sept 28, 29 and 30.

ECONOMIC UPDATE

The OHBA had revised its 2003 housing starts forecast upward to 78,000 starts. Continuing low mortgage rates are keeping the market buoyant, active and strong. The residential construction sector employs over 250,000 people and contributes $25 billion to Ontario's Economy.

Preliminary housing starts data for September 2003 indicates a faster pace of activity from last September. Housing starts in Ontario are now on pace with the 2002 numbers. Thus far in 2003 Urban starts are 59,374 compared to last years 59,295 at the end of September.

ONTARIO BUILDING AND RENOVATION FORUM

The Ontario Building and Renovation Forum is right around the corner, January 14 and 15, 2004. Building on a 15-year foundation, the Forum is the most informative, professional and relevant industry training event in Canada. It is fast approaching and space is limited, so register today! For more information, contact the OHBA office at 1-800-387-0109.

Ontario Home Builders' Association
20 Upjohn Road,
North York, Ontario M3B 2V9
(416) 443-1545
Toll Free: 800-387-0109
Fax: (416) 443-9982
E-mail: info@ohba.ca