Activity Summary
November 2005
HOUSING STARTS
Ontario's housing market peaked in 2004. Both existing home sales and new home starts will gradually move down this year and next, according to CMHC. Despite an aging baby boom population which prefers single detached homes, rising economic costs of owning a more expensive home will weigh most on housing starts. In the place of single detached homes, less expensive multiple family home construction will capture market share and help keep Ontario starts above historical averages.
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CMHC revised its 2005 Forecast upward from 78,000 to 80,500 housing starts. The 2006 forecast was also increased from 71,000 to 75,200 housing starts. OHBA is directly asking renovator and builder members if they concur with forecasts through the OHBA 2006 Economic Forecast Survey. OHBA survey results will be published in the OHB magazine, the pre-budget submission and released to the media. |
Ontario Housing Starts
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PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL 2, THE HOME FIRE SPRINKLER ACT
The MPP sponsoring the now defunct Private Members' Bill 141, The Home Fire Sprinkler Act has redrafted and reintroduced the Act as Private Members' Bill 2, The Home Fire Sprinkler Act. The Private Members' Bill received first reading on October 13, 2005 and OHBA anticipates that there will be an opportunity for the Bill to receive 2 nd reading in early November. The province maintains that the Private Members' Bill is not government policy. OHBA will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure that public policy decisions are based on research, facts and empirical evidence.
ONTARIO BUILDING AND RENOVATION FORUM
| The Ontario Building and Renovation Forum is right around the corner, January 5 and 6, 2006. Building on a 17-year foundation, the Forum is the most informative, professional and relevant industry training event in Canada. This year for the first time ever OHBA plans to combine two of our most successful events for even greater value to our members. The OHBA Presidents and Executive Officers Seminar will run concurrently with Building and Renovation Forum. It is fast approaching and space is limited, so register today! For more information, contact the OHBA office at 1-800-387-0109. |  |
TARION BUILDER PORTAL
Over the last several months Tarion has been developing a new tool that will allow builders to access key information related to their customers through the Tarion website. This new Builder Portal will offer access to documents such as forms and notices that Tarion is working from, and it will allow builders to know when Tarion inspections are requested, scheduled or cancelled.
The Portal was designed to provide builders with information that will help streamline their complaints resolution process. All that is needed to begin using it is a current computer system, high speed Internet access and a password. The Builder Portal is expected to become an effective tool for all Ontario builders in how they conduct their business in the future.
Tarion has arranged for Builder Portal training seminars:
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To reserve a maximum of two spaces please
contact Renee Morris-Wint at 1-877-982-7466 ext. 3126 or by
fax at 416-229-9013 or by email at: renee.morris-wint@tarion.com. |
RISING INTEREST RATES
As widely expected, the Bank of Canada raised the overnight rate 25 bps to 3.0% on October 18 th , following a 25 bps increase in September. The global and Canadian economies have continued to grow at a solid pace. At the same time, there have been significant movements in energy prices and the Canadian dollar has traded in a higher range against the U.S. dollar and other major currencies. Overall, the Canadian economy now appears to be operating at its full production capacity.
The Bank of Canada's next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is December 6, 2005.
WSIB CHANGES TO THE CAD-7 EXPERIENCE RATING PROGRAMS
New changes to the CAD-7 experience rating programs are to come into effect for the 2006 injury year and the 2007 injury year respectively. The changes are being announced now to give employers an opportunity to do the necessary business planning. Employers in CAD-7 will receive a letter explaining new changes to CAD-7. The WSIB will organize information sessions for CAD-7 employers in cooperation with employer associations.
For more information, call the Prevention Hotline at 1-800 663-6639.
GREATER WINDSOR HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION BUILD FOR MRI
The Greater Windsor Home Builders' Association made a commitment to the MRI Field of Dreams Campaign being spearheaded by the Windsor & Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation to build a house and donate all proceeds from the sale of this house to this worthwhile cause.
On Thursday October 27, 2005 at the offices of the Windsor and Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation the GWHBA presented a cheque in the amount of $265,000.00 from the proceeds of the Build for MRI weekend build. Congratulations!
REMINDERS / AVAILABLE FROM OHBA
- September 2005 Housing Issues Status Report
- OHBA Annual Report
- OHBA Tools to Support Intensification Report
- Engine that Drives the Economy
- OHB Fall Magazine
- Building and Renovation Forum 2006 Info
- 2005 Resolutions to the OHBA Annual Meeting
- ESSO 2.7 cent per litre Discount Program
- What Does OHBA Do For You?
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
