BUILDING DURHAM

Last week, the NDP released their 2022 provincial election platform, which contains proposed supply chain solutions aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis in Ontario.

OHBA has prepared a brief synopsis of the platform, which can be viewed here.

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) is proud to announce Mr. Luca Bucci as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Bucci is a government veteran, having served as Chief of Staff for the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing where he held the post from January 2021 until March 2022. Prior to that, he served as Vice-President of the Chartered Accounts of Ontario, where he developed, maintained, and engaged in working relationships with elected and non-elected government officials to support the regulation of the accounting profession in the public interest. His previous roles include Chief of Staff to both the Ontario Minister of Transportation and the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
 
That wealth of experience and government interaction, particularly his recent exposure to the home building industry, made Mr. Bucci the ideal candidate, says OHBA President Bob Schickedanz.
 
“It’s truly hard to understate how thorough and intensive the search was to identify our next CEO. It’s a process that commenced last October with the hiring of Boyden Canada: Executive Search and Consulting Firm, and included dozens of worthy candidates,” Schickedanz notes. “But the résumé and passion that Luca brought to the table were really special. He has an exceptional network at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill and has shown ability to multitask in high-pressure situations with great attention to detail. I don’t think I’ve met anyone more passionate about the home building industry and the challenges Ontarians currently face with respect to housing affordability and supply. That’s particularly important given the need to build at least 1 million new homes in the next 10 years if we’re to accommodate the province’s forecasted population growth.”
 
“I am really excited to take on this opportunity at a really crucial time for our industry,” Bucci says. “Ontario is in a housing crisis, and all levels of government talking about the problem of housing supply and how it relates to housing prices. Our members are going to be a key piece to the solution. I also look forward to working with our locals to strengthen the base of OHBA and find innovative ways to address the needs of our members across the province.”
 
Luca looks forward to visiting each local association in person to better understand the needs of members in every region.
 
Please join us in welcoming Luca Bucci to the OHBA and our HBA family across Ontario.

-From OHBA

There’s a lot to be anxious about when it comes to our housing crisis, especially when you look at some of the numbers.

1 million - That’s how many homes we have to build over the next decade to meet our growing population.

923,000 - That’s the average price of a home in Ontario today. It was $329,000 a decade ago.

38 - That’s the average percentage increase in wages compared to the above jump in average home prices.

70 - That’s the percentage of land in Toronto alone restricted for single-detached or semi-detached homes, when what we need is townhouses, duplexes, and triplexes.

All these numbers can add up to a lot of stress for a lot of people. From renters who feel they’ll never own a home, to prospective residents unsure if they’ll be able to live in the same city where they work, to employers trying to find labour, to politicians trying to figure out the right policy.

But for those politicians, the numbers add up to a word: opportunity.

Housing is at the forefront of voters’ minds in this upcoming election and now all parties must have an answer.

This is the time, the critical time, for whoever becomes premier to make the necessary changes to build more units, exactly like the restrictive zoning rules in Toronto.

Now is the time for parties to commit to fixing the endless process, regulation and restrictions that have made it impossible to build more homes at the rate we need.

Now is the time to build not just single-detached or semi-detached, but townhouses, duplexes and triplexes, so we give people the options they need and prevent more urban sprawl from affecting our critical greenspaces.

It’s time to build with your ballot and build new neighbourhoods and perhaps YOUR future home.

Ontario’s population is expected to add another 2.7 million people over the next decade. That’s 910,000 net new households.

The promises and decisions our leaders make now will determine where those people will live, how they will live, and what it will cost them to live.

We may not be building enough today. But with the right changes, we can tomorrow.  

On May 9, 2022, the Ontario Liberal Party released their 2022 provincial election platform, which includes key supply side solutions aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis in Ontario.

The team at OHBA has prepared a brief synopsis of their platform, which can be found here.

At the April 25, 2022 Oshawa City Council meeting, council adopted the following recommendation of the Development Services Committee:

"That pursuant to Report DS-22-78 dated April 6, 2022, Development Services staff be authorized to advance the Recommended Work Plan as generally described in Section 5.2 of said Report to respond to the legislative requirements of Bill 197 and associated amendments to Section 42 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended, concerning consultation on alternative parkland dedication rates and the passing of a new parkland dedication by-law containing the alternative parkland dedication rates."

A copy of By-law 91-2007 can be viewed on the City’s website using the following link: https://www.oshawa.ca/uploads/16/ParklandDedicationBy-law91-2007.pdf.

If the City does not pass a parkland dedication by-law containing new alternative rates by September 18, 2022, the City will no longer be able to utilize alternative rates for parkland dedication. Rather, the City would only be able to use the rates stipulated in Subsection 42(1) of the Planning Act. In this regard, the rate for parkland dedication would be in an amount not exceeding, in the case of land proposed for development or redevelopment for commercial or industrial purposes, 2% and in all other cases 5% of the total land area.

The City’s existing alternative parkland dedication rates are outlined in Sections 10, 10.1, 10.2, and 11 of Parkland Dedication By-law 91-2007 as follows:

“10.  Notwithstanding paragraph 3, in the case of development or redevelopment of land for residential purposes, City Council may require the conveyance of land to the City for Park Purposes at a rate of one hectare for each 300 dwelling units proposed.

10.1 Notwithstanding paragraph 3 and paragraph 10, in the case of development or redevelopment of land for residential purposes, City Council may require cash-in-lieu of the conveyance of land for Park Purposes at a rate of one hectare for each 500 dwelling units proposed.

10.2 In the case of mixed commercial and residential development proposals subject to any of the rates in paragraphs 10 or 10.1, the rates shall be applied only to the residential component.

11.   The rates specified in paragraph 10 and 10.1 may be applied to blocks within plans of subdivision in which these rates would yield a conveyance greater than five percent, provided such blocks are excluded from the calculation of the conveyance of land to be required in accordance with subparagraphs 3(a) and 3(b) of this by-law.”

The City of Oshawa is seeking input on the existing alternative parkland dedication rates as outlined above. As noted in Report DS-22-78, it is the City’s intention to continue to use, from September 18, 2022 onward, these same alternative parkland dedication rates in the context of a new parkland dedication by-law once By-law 91-2007 expires on September 18, 2022. September 18, 2022 is the two (2) year expiration date enacted under Bill 197 for all existing municipal parkland dedication by-laws in the Province containing alternative parkland dedication rates.

If you have comments on this matter, please contact Stacey.

OHBA members across Ontario are facing significant challenges given the ongoing strikes in residential construction. These strikes impact members, and ultimately homebuyers, with delays and escalating costs. Members have continued to work collaboratively with their labour partners to keep jobsites safe, while ensuring that we could continue to deliver on the dream of homeownership for families and individuals across Ontario.

Members also continue to face numerous questions from home buyers and homeowners on why the construction or servicing of their home is delayed. Home buyers and homeowners should know why the services that our members provide are being delayed. OHBA is requesting that Tarion directly notify home buyers and owners of trade strikes that are ongoing and their impact on home construction services.

Currently, OHBA has confirmed that the following sectors have begun strike activities.

1.           Residential Framing (LiUNA 183)

2.           High Rise Forming (LiUNA 183, 1059 and IUOE 793)

3.           Tile – high and low rise (LiUNA 183)

4.           Railings (LiUNA 183)

5.           Self Levelling (LiUNA 183)

6.           ICI Operating Engineers Provincial Agreement (IUOE local 793)

7.           Hardwood and Carpet –LiUNA has declared a strike for some contractors

Sharing information with respect to these strikes is an important step that Tarion can take to keep home buyers and homeowners aware of the factors impacting the construction or servicing of their most significant asset - their home. OHBA will continue to work proactively with our partner associations and Tarion to ensure our members and their clients have the most updated information on navigating the unavoidable delay process and everyone’s role within that.

On Friday, April 29, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing hosted an information session on the recently passed legislation, More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022.

You can review the presentation here. 

Today, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development announced that the province would be re-investing in the OHBA Job Ready Program. This is an already highly successful program that introduces young people, and those seeking a career shift, to entry level opportunities available in the trades and more broadly within the residential construction sector.

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) is excited to announce a continued provincial commitment to investing in workforce development and creating pathways for new entrants into the construction industry.

“Our government has a plan to build a historic number of homes and make sure homeownership remains in reach for more families,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “That is why we are investing in initiatives like the OHBA Job Ready program, which will ensure Ontario has the skilled workers to build the homes we need now, and for years to come.”

The OHBA Job Ready program is receiving $2.99 million in funding from the Ontario Skills Development Fund. This investment will build on the foundational success of the OHBA Job Ready pilot program and enable further action to develop job-ready, safety-trained, entry-level workers for Ontario’s homebuilding industry.

“Meeting the demand for housing in Ontario requires a diverse workforce that has the skills and experience to enable the province’s residential construction industry to build more homes,” says OHBA President Bob Schickedanz. “Building a construction workforce for the future requires new workers to gain the skills and hands-on experience that will make them an asset to construction industry employers.”

The OHBA Job Ready program matches supportive employers with job seekers, expanding entry-level skills training and on-the-job learning. The program provides entry-level workers with exposure to the residential construction and renovation industries, creating a pipeline of workers with basic safety and skills training, on-the-job learning, and employment support to build a fulfilling career in our industry.

The initial pilot program has drawn participation from over 250 job seekers – including over 40% from traditionally underrepresented groups in the construction industry such as women, youth, new Canadians, and Indigenous people. Approximately 100 Ontario residential construction employers have offered over 150 jobs for program participants, half of whom have found continued employment in the industry or will attend full-time education, often in the trades.  

“With this investment building on in the success of the Job Ready pilot program, even more Ontarians will be connected to the on-the-job training and support to build a career in the residential construction industry.” says Monica Curtis, President & CEO, EnerQuality. “We’re meeting people where they are at, building on their transferable skills with training and mentorship, and securing great starter roles within industry. “Typical entry-level roles can include general construction labourer, renovation labourer, painter assistant, framers, carpenter helper, restoration technician, landscape installation trainee, cabinet maker assistant, site clerk, electrician helper, handyman, and flooring installer assistant.  

In addition to general labour or pre-trade roles, the program will offer entry-level positions that can employ a broader range of job seekers with transferrable skills. This could include indoor jobs with builders in warranty work, décor centres, sales, contract management, homeowner liaison work, or other roles that provide exposure to the construction industry. 

Employees will include new high school graduates and mid-career pivots. Participating employers include large production builders, smaller custom builders and the associated professional services and skilled trade contractors.

This project is funded by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, a more than $200 million initiative that supports innovative programs that connect job seekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.

For more information, check out the program information at OHBA Job Ready.

The Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) is aware that there are specific trades within residential construction who were in a strike position beginning on Monday, May 2, as several collective agreements have expired this past weekend.  As of yesterday, the following trades are in a legal position to strike:

• Residential Framing (LiUNA 183)
• High Rise Forming (LiUNA 183, 1059 and IUOE 793)
• Tile - high and low rise (LiUNA 183)
• Railings (LiUNA 183)
• Self Levelling (LiUNA 183)
• ICI Operating Engineers Provincial Agreement (IUOE local 793) - this agreement is used in residential for activities including excavation, concrete pumps, etc.
• Hardwood and Carpet - There is no pattern agreement, but LiUNA 183 has declared a strike for some contractors.

Members should review the following notice from Tarion concerning these strikes and potential impacts on construction schedules.  Also, you can find resources from Tarion here, including:

• Q&A on strikes, unavoidable delay & critical dates
• General information sheet

Please note that all builders must give the first notice indicating that they are experiencing an unavoidable delay within 20 days of being impacted by the unavoidable delay.  For clarity, this is not 20 days from the start of the strike, but 20 days from when the strike impacts your site.

OHBA is working closely with Tarion and OHBA's partner associations to monitor the situation and identify potential impacts to the operations of members, and updates will be shared accordingly.

In the early release of Report: Envision Durham - Growth Management Study Land Need Assessment - Staff Recommendation on Land Need Scenarios, staff at the Region of Durham have recommended that the Community Area Land Need Scenario 4 be endorsed.

Scenario 4 includes:

• an intensification rate of 50%;
• an overall Designated Greenfield Area density target of 60 people and jobs per hectare by 2051; 
• a unit mix consisting of 28% low density units, 28% medium density units, 41% high density units, and 3% secondary units;
• an additional Community Area urban land need of 950 hectares (2,348 acres).

This report is being brought to the May 3 Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting.  The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m.