I would like to take this opportunity to let you know what we are doing at the Provincial level to make our industry a voice that is heard by Government. A voice not only heard but sought after. Not only sought after but listened too. We are making those strides with government. We are part of the input process. We have had an effect on policies brought forward by Government that directly affects each and every one of you here this evening.

 

One Voice-One Industry began with the commitment of many of the builders across the province to make our industry better. They knew then that we had much work to do to be heard by government and to increase consumer confidence in our industry.

 

Many of you may have heard me say during my tenure as steward of your Provincial Association that politics are not logical and they are not fair. Despite presenting well researched and well thought out recommendations to what Government is considering we will not win all the time. We just need to win more than we are. One Voice One Industry is our tool to do just that.

 

I recall sitting with our Past President Ralph Hutchinson last year in a Minister's office vital to our industry where it was made very clear that although he knew who we were many of his colleagues were not even aware of us as an association and what are message was. This Minister knew us because of One Voice-One Industry and the resources it gave us in providing someone who could focus on our political agenda.

Now that same Minister:

One Voice-One Industry was created in part to be in the face of government and affect change. We have had great success this past year doing just that. Are we done? Not even close. We have only scratched the surface. We have many other departments in government that we have to get in the door with. Your Provincial Association has been knocking on those doors of the other ministries and departments that have an effect on the residential housing industry.

 

CHBA - Alberta Skilled Labour Development staff are working with volunteers on an application for the framing trade designation which will be submitted to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training in the near future. This is in response to a clear message from members who were concerned with not having the skilled labour available to keep up to industry demands.

 

We have committed staff resources to work with volunteers on building code changes with the industry led Alberta Housing Industry Technical Committee, and with CHBA National on proposed new changes to the Model Energy Code and the 2010 National Building Code review process.

 

CHBA - Alberta in partnership with the Alberta Construction Association has been working with Alberta Environment to develop criteria for the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan.

 

The Alberta Government has concerns with building performance issues.  We are currently studying options to present to the Alberta Government regarding improving the performance of building envelops to ensure moisture control and other issues regarding building quality control.

 

Next month the CHBA - Alberta Board of Directors will consider a recommendation to proceed with taking Built Green Alberta™ under its control. Currently the program is administered at the local CHBA level and each CHBA local office has staff committed to Built Green™. A new provincially led Built Green™ program will provide better continuity and resources dedicated to building and promoting the program.

 

Working closely with other strategic provincial industry organizations such as UDI Alberta, the Alberta Real Estate Association and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce: CHBA - Alberta adds strength in voice to similar messages to Alberta Government.

We work in cooperation with the national CHBA as do all of the regions to address issues at the national level.

 

It is important for you to know that we struggle with getting our wins communicated to you in a way that gets heard. Not all the wins affect everyone. Some are bigger than others like getting the land titles registration times down to a manageable level. This saved our industry members tens of thousands of dollars and helped everyone in our industry and it did not matter where you were building. Others are less noticeable but are just as important to our industry like working with the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs who is mandated to eliminate homelessness within 10 years. Unless we are there, you can bet the dollars needed for any solution to housing the homeless would be paid for by new home buyers, further impacting new home sales and housing affordability.

 

The purpose in being engaged with Government relations activity is so that we can address potential government initiatives that will impact you and your businesses at the local level. If we are not in the company of the policy makers, changes take place without our involvement or comment. If government doesn't know who we are how can we be taken seriously by them.

 

I know we are on the right track as an industry but that's because, as a volunteer, I am involved in the day to day meetings, emails and phone calls. The question is why aren't all of you? We need your help at the Provincial level. Within a proposed new governance model that we hope to roll out shortly it requires our industry members to participate in front line committees, work groups and stakeholders meetings. Being in the face of government comes at a cost. Our cost is a heavy load on the volunteers. Our volunteer numbers are dwindling at a time when we need them even more. One Voice-One Industry will only be successful with all of our members participating at many levels.

 

We have put a strong leadership group together that will see Bruce Galts from Lethbridge succeed me as your Provincial President. In fact we have already got a volunteer to succeed Bruce and its' Deep Shergill. A man who understands the true nature of being a volunteer. He never hesitates in his commitment to help where he can.

 

Enough of the soapbox rants for now but do not underestimate the essence of the message given to you. We need each and every one of you.

 

Let me end by reinforcing that your Local Association and your Provincial Association have done tremendous work. We cannot rest on what has been done but only focus on what's left to do. We have much more work to do.

 

It is time all of us put up our hands!!