NEWSLETTER

Building Assessment Reports, Prompt Payment & Award Finalists Announced

July 29, 2021
Building Assessment Reports
Largely due to BILD Alberta's advocacy, Building Assessment Reports are no longer required for condominium projects. For existing buildings that are converted from purpose rentals to condominium projects, Service Alberta is introducing a Converted Property Study (CPS). A CPS is expected to provide full disclosure of the building including original construction date, applicable building code at the time of construction, description of the previous use of the building and building envelope including surface water drainage systems around the building.

Prompt Payment
Prompt payment regulation consultation concluded earlier this month and proclamation of the legislation is still expected in October. Service Alberta is currently in the process of selecting Nominating Authorities (NAs) through a Pre-Qualified Request and will announce the successful NAs later this summer. Staff will begin educating members of the upcoming changes once the information is provided.

Subscribe (members only)

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing, Theft Prevention, Report AFCI

June 23, 2021
In late-2020, BILD Alberta commissioned a study from Joan Maisonneuve to develop An Industry Approach to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing. The purpose of this work was to identify proactive strategies that would allow the residential construction industry to take a visible leadership role in housing innovation to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while preserving housing affordability.
Key highlights of the report include:
  • The intended Federal approach of Net Zero ready by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 enforced through tiered energy codes could have a substantial impact on housing affordability and business viability in the residential sector in Alberta.
  • Homes built to current code are incredibly energy efficient with further enhancements reaching a point of diminishing returns in terms of cost-benefit.
Subscribe (members only)

Alternative Infrastructure Financing, Fall Conference Update, Stress Test Changes

May 27, 2021
Alternative to Infrastructure Financing
BILD Alberta hired consulting firm MNP to conduct a comprehensive review of the current off-site levy mechanism and identifying alternatives to fund future infrastructure projects.
A preliminary draft of the report is expected later this summer with engagement workshops taking place shortly after. A final report will be ready at the beginning of 2022.
Industry Approach to Reducing GHG Emissions in Housing
BILD Alberta, through the Board of Directors, will be finalizing an Action Plan based on the consultant's recommendations. The consultant’s report and BILD Alberta Action plan will be shared in next month’s newsletter.
Expropriations
BILD Alberta staff continue to monitor private member Bill 206: Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act and discussions are currently underway with a Select Special Committee on Real Property Rights. The Committee is currently reviewing whether the expropriation process provided under the Expropriation Act is adequate.
Subscribe (members only)

Advocacy at a Glance, BILD Awards, Spring Wrap Up

April 29, 2021
Industry Approach to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing
BILD Alberta staff presented a draft of an Industry Approach to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing to the Board of Directors this month for preliminary feedback. The project highlights various Federal, Provincial and Municipal Climate Plans and the importance of developing proactive, cost-effective solutions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions on new construction and existing homes.
Staff are incorporating feedback from local committees and members into an Action Plan to share with industry stakeholders and government officials later this summer.
Environmental Approvals
BILD Alberta staff recently engaged with Alberta Environment & Parks on their Regulatory Transformation Project which will automate approval of environmental applications and address backlogs.
Transportation Approvals
Alberta Transportation is proposing a number of exemptions to permits (for land use, subdivisions, developments, and access to provincial highway) by developing Highway Vicinity Management Agreements (HVMA) with municipalities.
Subscribe (members only)

Advocacy at a Glance, Spring Conference, Awards Info

March 25, 2021
Prompt Payment
BILD Alberta concluded stakeholder consultation with Service Alberta on the development of regulations for prompt payment and brought forth members concerns while continuing to advocate for a balanced approach.
Off-Site Levies
BILD Alberta is engaged with Municipal Affairs on amendments to the Off-Site Levies and Subdivision and Development Regulations.
Industry Approach to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing
Recommendations from BILD Alberta’s project on an Industry Approach to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Housing will be presented to the Board of Directors in April.
Alternatives to Infrastructure Financing
BILD Alberta is in the preliminary stages of conducting a comprehensive review of the current off-site levy mechanism and identifying alternatives to fund future infrastructure projects.
Digitizing Signatures and Transactions
Staff are preparing a submission to Service Alberta on increasing the use of digital signatures as part of real estate transactions and land title registries to streamline processes.
Subscribe (members only)

Builders' Lien Act, Reno Tax Credit, Off-Site Levies, Soft Lumber Update and more

February 25, 2021
Builders’ Lien Act & Prompt Payment

Over the past month, BILD Alberta members and staff have been heavily engaged with Minister Nate Glubish and Service Alberta staff on Prompt Payment regulations and the 28-day Prompt Pay period.

Renovation Tax Credit

BILD Alberta is developing a submission for a renovation tax credit that will be brought forward to the Government of Alberta in the coming months. Recent media shows that the submission will need to highlight the economic benefits the tax credit would bring. BILD Alberta will be working with renovator members to develop statistics and other information required for the submission.

Red Tape Reduction
While industry saw a significant number of positive legislative changes under Bill 48, work surrounding the next phases of Red Tape Reduction remains a priority.
Off-Site Levies
BILD Alberta remains engaged with Municipal Affairs regarding further modifications to the Off-Site Levies Regulation.
Subscribe (members only)

Red Tape Reduction & Prompt Payment Updates, Webinars, New Policy & GR Director

January 29, 2021
Red Tape Reduction
While industry saw a significant number of positive legislative changes under Bill 48, work surrounding the next phases of Red Tape Reduction remains a priority. BILD Alberta remains engaged with the Associate Ministry of Red Tape Reduction and specific Ministries to make these changes a reality.

Builders’ Lien Act & Prompt Payment
BILD Alberta and member representatives have been engaging Service Alberta on Prompt Payment and other changes to the Builders’ Lien Act.
Subscribe (members only)

Advocacy Update, Builders' Lien Act Amendments & Holiday Wishes

December 22, 2020

Bill 48: Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act received third reading and Royal Assent on December 9th, solidifying substantial legislative changes that will save member companies millions of dollars while helping to preserve housing affordability. BILD Alberta originally submitted 29 Red Tape Reduction recommendations in October 2019. Since that time:

  • 8 recommendations have been adopted by the Province;
  • 17 remain under consideration or in progress; and
  • 4 will not be going forward.

To better understand the progress made to-date and provide updates on other items, BILD Alberta has compiled a brief table with information on the status of each of the industry’s recommendations, including next steps where applicable.

Subscribe (members only)

COVID Restrictions, Bill 48, Builders' Lien Act Changes & Housing Reports

November 27, 2020

On November 16th, BILD Alberta was pleased to announce that several key advocacy priorities have been addressed by the Government of Alberta through Bill 48 – Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act. These positive changes are the result of years of advocacy work from BILD Alberta and member volunteers.

Read more about the key legislative changes included in this Bill and other recent legislative changes.

Subscribe (members only)

Prompt Payment, Advocacy Update & AGM

October 29, 2020

AGM
At last month's AGM, the baton was passed from outgoing Chair, Patrick Shaver, to newly appointed Chair, Paul Boskovich. Paul brings his 15-years of industry expertise to the BILD Alberta board. He is President of Genstar Development Company and looks forward to guiding a grassroots approach to serving members over his term.

Prompt Payment
Amendments to the Builders’ Lien Act including the introduction of Prompt Payment were presented last week. BILD Alberta has been active on this file since it was originally brought forward by the previous government.
Subscribe (members only)

Optimistic about what’s ahead for members in Alberta

October 24, 2020

In a recent interview with the Calgary Herald, BILD Alberta Chair, Paul Boskovich said,  “We’re a very adaptable industry but we have certainly been challenged to evolve, innovate and adapt in this economic climate. As an industry, we have had to make some hard choices in terms of the scale of our operations and the scale of our projects. We have been able to move forward with leaner, innovative projects."

Subscribe (members only)

BILD Alberta Announces New Chair

October 9, 2020

BILD Alberta is pleased to announce that Paul Boskovich has been elected as BILD Alberta’s fourth Chair of the Association to serve a term of one year.

“Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of board members helping shape this young organization with a long and proud history. The next year will have its challenges as we face unprecedented times but together our industry is resilient.  I look forward to continuing to further the association’s advocacy efforts and putting forward innovative solutions that will make our industry stronger,” said Boskovich.

Subscribe (members only)

Annual General Meeting, Award Winners, Advocacy Update & Housing Data

September 24, 2020

Consultations surrounding the Municipal Government Act review finalized this month. As a follow-up to those consultations, BILD Alberta provided the multiple submissions.
We continue to assess the future of auto-adoption of the National Building Code in Alberta. Further discussions with the BILD Alberta Board of Directors identified a need to establish a new framework for the adoption of code that considers the implications on housing affordability and business competitiveness. There are multiple avenues to postpone implementation of certain aspects of future code, pending a provincial review, that we continue to assess with the Government of Alberta.
Subscribe (members only)

Progress on Priorities, Awards Ceremony - Save the Date & Housing Data

August 27, 2020

The Government of Alberta shuffled its cabinet this week, the former Minister of Municipal Affairs (Kaycee Madu) has become the Minister of Justice and MLA Tracy Allard from Grande Prairie is now the Minister of Municipal Affairs. We have enjoyed working with Minister Madu over the past year and a half and look forward to building on our progress with Minister Allard.
Subscribe (members only)

Award Finalists Announced, Advocacy Update & Housing Data

July 30, 2020

BILD Alberta has been working alongside with partners and stakeholders in the residential construction industry to push forward policies that will help achieve economic recovery within the province and future prosperity. The attached document exemplifies some of the ways in which BILD Alberta advocates for members and provides an update on the association’s various efforts so industry can continue to develop and build communities that serve all Albertans.
Subscribe (members only)