The Results Are In

The CHBA - Alberta Government Relations Committee (GRC) took an active approach to heighten election awareness during this past campaign.

CHBA - Alberta targeted members, candidates and homebuyers through its website, AlbertaHousingAffordability.ca and a Facebook group. The GRC focused on the following three main issues:

1. Appropriate funding of municipal infrastructure,

2. Holding the line on Government Imposed Costs, and

3. No property transfer taxation authority for municipal government.

CHBA - Alberta informed members on how their vote can impact their business and encouraged them to get out and exercise their vote.

We'd like to know how you think we did! Please take the time to contact Director of Government Relations, Kathy Watson or (800) 661-3348 with your comments.

Board Update

Election results will be one of the issues discussed by the CHBA - Alberta Board of Directors when it meets this Thursday in Edmonton. The Board will review progress on the association's business plan and tackle a number of other issues facing the industry.

Director of Skilled Labour Development

CHBA - Alberta Executive Officer Grant Ainsley is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Hurford to the position of Director of Skilled Labour Development. Hurford joins the association after career stops that include Apprenticeship and Industry Training in the Alberta government, CAREERS the Next Generation and the Trade Up CD-ROM project. Ainsley says "Kelly has a rare blend of youth and experience" and points to her work with industry, government and students as indications she'll do a great job in her new role to help solve the home building industry's skilled labour shortage. Hurford succeeds Mary Kenny who started work in Vancouver two weeks ago.

New Code Now in Effect

After a six month trial period, the new Alberta Building Code is now fully into effect. This means any building permit now taken out will have to fully comply to the new building code. To purchase a new copy of the Code, please click here.

COR Holders Recognized

It is important to show appreciation to those in our industry who have made safety a priority in their organizations. CHBA - Alberta recognized industry leaders with their COR or SECOR for making the investment and creating a culture of safety in their organizations. Doug Whitney of Albi Homes presented a gift to 35 of the COR holders in the Calgary region at the CHBA - Calgary dinner meeting (pictured below).

For more information on the program and information on how to get started, go to www.chbaalberta.ca/cor or call CHBA - Alberta at 1-800-661-3348.

GST Rebate

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revised its process to accept electronically signed GST/HST New Housing Rebate Applications. Form GST190A, GST/HST New Housing Rebate - Appendix A, is a new form from the CRA. The form is for electronic transfers of Form GST190, GST/HST New Housing Rebate Application for Houses Purchased from a Builder, (type 1A or 1B) between the legal representatives of homebuyers and builders. A completed Form GST190A confirms that a Form GST190 has been signed and kept by a homebuyer's legal representative. When the new form is used, the original signature requirement on Form GST190 does not have to be met. A completed Form GST190A has to be sent to the CRA, along with the related Form GST190. A homebuyer still has to sign Form GST190 if it is filed without Form GST190A.

CHBA - Alberta Conference

We are excited to announce CHBA - Alberta's conference has a new name. The conference will now be known as BUILD (Being a United Industry in Leadership & Development). The event takes place once again at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge September 18-21.

The conference programs are being finalized and the registration will begin next week. CHBA - Alberta is please to offer workshops at this year's event and a couple new activities.

Should you have any questions or comments about BUILD, please email Event Manager, Laara Braz.

Did You Know?

All the home builders' associations in Alberta share a similar name but the accounting departments are all different. Special attention is needed when paying invoices to ensure they are going to the right association.