GST Jigsaw
Members likely have questions on the Harper Governments recent annoucement of a further percentage point reduction in GST. We have posted a table showing GST rebate calculations on our website. Hats off to our national association in Ottawa for keeping up the pressure on the government on this issue. It continues to work on changing the $450,000 ceiling for rebates but five more percentage points drop in the GST and it will be a moot point.
Click here for frequently asked questions and answers. The questions and answers most directly relating to new home builders are to be found on pages 18 to 23. Home renovation is also affected, and is covered in several pages for both businesses and consumers.
New Roofing Rules
New regulations for residential roofing are now in effect and should be noted by builders and their roofing contractors. On October 31, Part 38 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code expired and all residential roofing regulations are now under
Part 9. CHBA - Alberta had a Task Force study the issue last year and recommended to the government that part 38 should be allowed to expire as planned to allow for greater consistency in safety regulations for roofers. Please contact the WHS Contact Centre 1-866-415 8690 if you have any questions.
Keeping New Home Salespeople Safe
CHBA - Alberta takes the safety of new home salespeople seriously and wants to 
encourage salespeople and builders to adopt safe work practices. In 2003, a safety guide was developed and as a member benefit of One Voice - One Industry, CHBA - Alberta has been able to update, reproduce and redistribute this booklet. The booklet includes sections on: Tips for Salespeople; Tips for Builders; a guideline to the Working Alone Legislation; Community Resources and more.
Booklets were sent to builder members last week and additional copies are available for order through the CHBA -Alberta store.
Packed Daytimers
November is a hectic time for the association and the next couple of weeks are no exception. Tomorrow, two events take place in Vancouver involving CHBA - Alberta. The Board of Directors of the Built Green Society will meet on the west coast. CHBA - BC is an active participant in the Built Green Program. Several association Executive Officers and staff then start three days of education and networking in Vancouver at the annual Professional Development Forum. Next Monday CHBA - Alberta hosts a meeting in Calgary involving window manufacturers and other stakeholders to iron out differences between the way windows are manufactured, the Alberta Building Code and construction practices. Then on Thursday, the CHBA - Alberta Board of Directors meets in Edmonton and starts work on the 2007-2008 Business Plan.
Grande Prairie's Best
Qualico Developments and Monarch Homes Master Builder walked away with the big awards at the recent CHBA - Grande Prairie Region's SAM Awards. The builders took home the Large Volume and Small Volume Home Builder of the Year Awards respectively at the eighth annual SAMs. The show was significant in that it was the first event that Customer Choice Awards weren't offered as The Alberta New Home Warranty Program moves to the JD Power Awards. Also at the Grande Prairie SAMs Ken Gorgichuk, a Past President of the local, was presented with the Award of Honour.
Getting Greener All the Time
Environment Minister Rob Renner spoke at the CHBA - Edmonton Region dinner meeting last Thursday night and praised the industry for the Built Green program and other ways it's been working to help the environment. Renner singled out Built Green as a program, that although voluntary in nature, has produced results for the industry, Alberta home buyers and the environment. He also talked about the government's plan to reduce waste going into landfills from construction sites and CHBA - Alberta's goals are much the same as government has in this area. An example is the waste diversion website whywasteit.ca, aimed at kick starting waste reduction in our industry. It was designed and produced by Built Green in Partnership with Alberta Energy and CHBA - Alberta.
The Minister announced a soon to be launched website that will assist people interested in building environmentally smart buildings to find contractors and suppliers who are like minded. This might be beneficial to our Built Green builders. www.GreenAlberta.ca
Submit WCB Annual Return Online
The time to report your 2007 actual earnings paid to employees along with a 2008 estimate. Employers can now submit their 2007 annual return online and must do so before February 29, 2008. Visit eLink Online Services at www.wcb.ab.ca, enter your account number and password, then work through the customized screens with automated calculations and built-in error checking. For more information contact WCB.
