This will be a very interesting month with the provincial election on April 23.  We have provided the Locals with CHBA - Alberta positions on a number of issues, as well as a questionnaire that can be sent to all candidates in the local.  CHBA - Alberta will be sending the questionnaire to the leaders of each party and any candidates not covered by a local region.  This will be very important information to have after the election.  Regardless of whether the Tories or the Wildrose are successful, we will have up to 40 new MLAs. Almost 30 of those will come from retirements and newly added constituencies.  While we do not engage in partisan politics, from our standpoint, CHBA - Alberta will do well under either a Tories or a Wildrose government.  While the other parties are really marginal players in the election, they could have influence on policy and legislation if the Tories or Wildrose fail to get a majority (44 seats), creating a minority government situation.

Following this election, we will be examining new ways to engage CHBA – Alberta membership through electronic means.  We are investigating a CHBA - Alberta app and we are looking at an ongoing survey tool for our website.

I am pleased to announce that Richard Goatcher, who retired from his position as Industry Analyst - Edmonton Region for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) on April 2, will be joining CHBA - Alberta on May 1st.  Richard will prepare a number of products for CHBA - Alberta and any locals that want to use his expertise.  Richard will also be working closely with our Manager, Technical & Safety, Joan Maisonneuve to cost out code changes, levies, surcharges, and other government imposed costs and determine the impact of those costs on housing affordability.  CHBA - Alberta will be able to provide a very credible take on industry economic matters that will heighten the profile of the Association and in turn, increase our credibility with the government, media and consumers.  We are building our strength, so we can add value to government policy making and ensure that our industry concerns and issues are considered.

CHBA – Alberta directors, volunteers and staff recently attended the CHBA National Conference in Mont Tremblant, QC. Attendees participated in numerous pre-conference committee meetings.  There were great opportunities for productive discussion with members from Alberta and other provinces and reports to and from CHBA National provide some insight into the discussions. We are pleased to announce that among the many awards distributed at the conference former CHBA – Alberta President John Hrynkow, was this year’s recipient of the Beaver Award and CHBA – Alberta Board director Rick Gratton received the William M. McCance Award. Congratulations to all the noteworthy recipients. 

On April 30, CHBA - Alberta will be hosting a breakfast meeting featuring Canada's Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the Hon. Jason Kenney. This is your opportunity to hear firsthand as Minister Kenney outlines the role of immigration in meeting the anticipated and significant labour market challenges in Alberta.  Tickets are selling quickly.  Reserve your spot by buying your ticket online today.

CHBA - Alberta is calling all builder and renovators to enter this year's Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing.  Criteria for the awards is now available online and submissions can be uploaded between April 27 and June 1.  New for the this year's submissions: builders can submit up to 3 entries per category.  To find out more visit the website.

Regardless of what the result of the election is, CHBA – Alberta will work to maintain a focus on the issues we have identified. A key to the next steps forward will be the relationships we have built with decision-makers and the connections we make with candidates who will become newly elected MLAs and Ministers. This will be done through communications pieces, personal interactions and maintaining a non-partisan approach to Association activities.

CHBA – Alberta CEO Jim Rivait will be taking part in a meeting scheduled by the Alberta Coalition for Action on Labour Shortages (ACALS) with representatives from Alberta Human Services as well as Alberta Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations on April 3. The meeting will focus on an update from the Province, their take on implications of the recent federal budget, and how to collaborate further in taking a joint provincial-industry message to federal officials.

At the Technical Research Committee meeting in March, CHBA - Alberta highlighted the issues of most concern from the review of proposed changes to the Part 9 Building Code. NRC agreed at the meeting to revisit one item related to wall RSI values and exterior sheathing. Other items will be reviewed by the NRC Standing Committee. The CHBA – Alberta presentation that outlines the proposed changes will be presented to all locals by mid-April and is currently posted on the CHBA – Alberta website.

CHBA - Alberta has been hearing about interest from fire officials on enhancing fire protection at soffits in side yards and about concerns with foam insulated sheathing. CHBA - Alberta drafted a note to the Chief Fire Administrator and Assistant Deputy Minister Ivan Moore requesting dialogue on these issues.

The municipalities of Fort Saskatchewan and Leduc have both raised the issue of mandatory sprinklers. CHBA – Alberta met recently with CHBA – Edmonton Region and UDI Edmonton to discuss these issues. CHBA - Alberta is also working on a position paper, list of reference materials, and a presentation that can be used by the locals when this issue arises. 

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) has shared an outline for an executive planning group and a working group to be convened to move safety forward in the residential construction industry. CHBA – Alberta Vice President Dave Hooge has expressed interest in serving on the executive committee which will provide a strong industry voice to this group.

OH&S Partnerships is working with CHBA - Alberta to provide more statistics related to the residential construction industry and CHBA - Alberta members. Serious injury data and general stats on employer reviews and members with COR and SECOR will be shared.  CHBA - Alberta will compile this data, share this with the locals and post it on our website.