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august-2021-activity-summary

 
August 2021
Important Dates:
  • Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 – National and Provincial Building Code Update Webinar – FREE
  • Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 – OHBA/OSWCA Information Session: New Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Framework
  • Friday, August 27th, 2021 – Final Submission Deadline for 2021 Awards of Distinction 
Save the Date:
  • Monday, October 4th, 2021 – Wrap-Up Board of Directors Meeting and Annual Meeting of Members – Virtual
  • Monday, October 25th, 2021 – OHBA Annual Conference – Virtual
  • Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 – OHBA Awards of Distinction (AoD) – Virtual
For the latest updates, please follow our social media @OntarioHBA

Table of Contents

Planning Act Updates

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is considering making complementary and consequential changes to the Minister’s regulations under the Planning Act, which are needed as a result of the passing of Bill 276, the Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021 (Schedule 24). OHBA made previous comments on Bill 276 in its letter dated May 19th, 2021, to the Chair of the Standing Committee on General Government. OHBA has been supportive of the legislative changes being proposed by the government, in particular the changes to the Planning Act related to consents.

Overall, these are positive aspects that will be of benefit to OHBA members during the consent application process. Landowners and consent applicants will realize savings including timelines due to the fewer number of consent applications required and the permission to make applications prior to land ownership. OHBA encourages members to review the proposed changes here and share any feedback they have with OHBA Director of Provincial Planning Policy and Advocacy, Larry Kotseff by August 16th, 2021.

Momentum Grows for Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds

In July, OHBA held numerous meetings with municipalities across Ontario to discuss offering Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds as an alternative form of financial security to letters of credit in the application for development approvals. Meetings with municipalities big and small included,

  • The Region of York
  • The City of Kitchener
  • The City of Vaughan
  • The Town of New Tecumseth

The municipalities OHBA met with had important questions on this change and OHBA shared our industry experiences with project financing as well as technical surety insights from Marsh Canada. Pay-on-Demand Surety Bonds provide municipalities with the financial security they require to guarantee the installation, performance, and warranty period of municipal services while opening up millions of dollars in private investment to bring more housing projects to market.

National and Provincial Building Code Update Webinar
Join Andy Oding from Building Knowledge Canada, OHBA and CHBA staff as they discuss the National and Provincial Building Code. The following will be touched upon:
  • A high-level overview of NBC changes and development.
  • NBC Proposed Tiered Energy Code 2020: What Ontario builders and stakeholders should know.
  • Open forum discussion – What are key opportunities and challenges
Members from all HBA’s are welcome to attend this FREE Webinar. For more information please visit www.drhba.com/events.
Wednesday, August 18th, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 AM
ZOOM – Virtual 
Register Here

Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Webinar

OHBA will be co-hosting an information session on the new Consolidated Linear Infrastructure framework. OHBA, in partnership with the Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will provide an educational overview of the shift to the new Consolidated Linear Infrastructure for streamlining approvals.

This is a policy that was strongly supported by both of our associations and we are very pleased to be able to discuss the benefits this will have for our membership. Interested members can register for the session here.

Tuesday, August 24th, 2021
9:00 – 10:15 AM
ZOOM – Virtual
Register Here

Revised Enbridge Gas Inspection Process –
Effective Oct. 1, 2021
Call to Action – Ontario Builders and HVAC’s

Builders will see new internal Enbridge forms and labels that will now be affixed during inspections. Our goal through this communication is to provide you advanced knowledge of what forms/labels are changing so that you are aware and informed as they begin to appear.

The Inspection Status Report will be replaced with a labeling process that identifies the inspection status of each appliance as follows:
Black Label – Appliance passes inspection: Enbridge will affix a black ‘This Appliance Installation Has Been Inspected and Approved’ label on all approved appliances.
Red Label – Appliance not ready or fails inspection: When an appliance is not ready for inspection or an immediate hazard is identified, Enbridge will affix a red ‘Do Not Activate Appliance’ Label on the appliance.
Rejection Notice: The Rejection Notice will be used where gas supply piping or an appliance is found to be not ready for inspection resulting in an immediate hazard. The appliance will be left off and this notice will be completed. An HVAC can not clear a Rejection Notice and a new Enbridge inspection will be required.

*The BTag Process has not changed.
Have questions or need support?

You can email our technical support team here: Technical-Desk-VPC@enbridge.com
Or reach out to your representative at: Residential New Construction Team Contact Information

BILD – New Job Position
The Building Industry and Land Development Association is currently seeking an energetic, organized, results-oriented individual with a passion for the home building and development industry to become an integral part of our team as Associate, Policy & Advocacy.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, and additional senior department staff, our new team member will be a strong advocate and critical thinker, with a strategic mindset. The candidate will have a minimum of 5 years experience, a degree in urban planning or a related discipline, an understanding of provincial/regional/municipal governance structures, and knowledge of issues affecting the land development and home building industry.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Advancing key industry advocacy positions when new legislation or regulations are introduced or reformed;
• Proactively addressing proposed and existing policy-related matters with significant industry implications, including implementation of municipal and provincial objectives;
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with key city and regional staff, as well as political leaders, and fostering opportunities for member engagement;
• Liaise with and communicate the interests of the Association and its members with our government partners and agencies;
• Helping to ensure that members and stakeholders are educated and informed of the impacts and effects of municipal and provincial policy;
• Monitoring of emerging municipal government legislation, regulations and by-laws; and,
• Assisting to oversee BILD’s Chapters and their overall operations; Preferred candidates will be comfortable in an advocacy role, have exceptional communication skills, a demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and strong interpersonal skills when working with multi-disciplinary teams and a membership base.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Interested parties are asked to send a resume to the attention of Paula Tenuta, SVP, Policy & Advocacy ptenuta@bildgta.ca by August 27th.
Enter Here

OHBA New Skills Development Program
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) and EnerQuality are working together to deliver job-ready, unskilled labourers to qualified OHBA members building in the GTA, Niagara, Hamilton, Kitchener/ Waterloo, Guelph, Simcoe, Durham and Ottawa. 

Through this program, OHBA and EnerQuality will manage all aspects of employee recruitment, screening, interviewing and onboarding. We will also provide ongoing weekly program support to participating employers and to employees to ensure success for all parties involved. Please click HERE for more information and learn how we can deliver job-ready workers!

EnerQuality Upcoming Workshops
With a packed Fall workshop lineup, be sure to visit enerquality.ca, or email adrian@enerquality.ca to learn more about what will be offered.
View the archive of OHBA Government Relations newsletter, Activity Summary.

 

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