By Matt McCurrach, CHBA President
It’s no secret that the residential construction industry has been through a lot over the last several years. From rising material costs, growing labour shortages, ever-changing codes and regulations and a full-blown pandemic, it’s fair to say our sector’s economic environment has been nothing short of chaotic.
Earlier this year, that economic uncertainty was amplified by threats of widespread 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian goods from our closest ally and trading partner, the United States. I’ve heard some say that for some regions, these tariffs would be the proverbial “nail in the coffin” for homebuilding. Knowing the strength and resilience of our members, I know that despite the challenges, together we will overcome. But there’s no question that the situation has forced us to reconsider our supply chains and how we do business.
Peer-to-peer mentoring
While changes in the economic environment feel never-ending, there’s one thing that has been a constant for members such as us where we can turn to in times of uncertainty: This Association. It has allowed me to build a network of colleagues – locally, provincially and nationally – who I now consider friends. They’re always willing to lend a hand, and I know I can lean on them for advice. That peer-to-peer mentoring is weaved into the fabric of the association at all three levels. It breaks down so many barriers and is such a key value of membership.
The association is also a place where I’ve gained invaluable access to new information, business connections and creative ideas to help grow my business. Whether it’s staying up to date with codes, meeting new suppliers or accessing member-exclusive discounts for my staff and I through CHBA’s National Advantages program, the benefits I’ve gained through my involvement with CHBA has allowed me to set my business apart. CHBA’s webinar on tariffs, that had nearly 2,000 registrants, shows just how valuable CHBA information can be for us.
Perhaps the most the notable benefit of association involvement is having your issues brought to policymakers at the municipal, provincial and federal government. I’ve seen firsthand that there is much greater success in having our issues heard and addressed when we present them as a collective, which has led to unprecedented policy changes for the betterment of our industry and Canadians in recent years. And if we hope to meet the government’s home building targets to help address eroding housing affordability, we need our voices at the forefront.
One easy way you can help the association advocate on your behalf is by participating in CHBA’s quarterly Housing Market Index (HMI). The HMI is an industry sentiment indicator used to inform government about the state of the industry, including issues we as members face and what to expect in coming months.
National snapshot of the residential construction landscape
Since its inception four years ago, the HMI has become impactful. It has led to regular meetings for CHBA with the Bank of Canada, informing interest rate decisions. Statistics Canada also regularly references the HMI’s findings, and it garners significant national media attention every quarter, all of which helps inform smarter government policy.
Currently, the HMI provides a national snapshot of the residential construction landscape with some regional/provincial insights. Going forward, CHBA wants to provide more in-depth regional breakdowns so that local and provincial policymakers can understand not just what’s going on nationally, but also what’s happening regionally. This means that we need more builders to participate in upcoming surveys. It only takes 10 minutes every three months, and it is truly invaluable for the work CHBA is doing on your behalf. Don’t wait on this excellent opportunity to make your voice heard. Get involved by emailing
hmi@chba.ca.
In short, this is my call to you, my fellow members: Get more involved in your association. There’s no time like the present to volunteer with your local HBA, get involved on a committee, council, or your board, or attend CHBA’s meetings. If you want a good idea of what things are like at the national level of the association, come out to Home Building Week, which is being held this May in Victoria. Be proactive and find out how you can make the most out of your membership – there’s no reason to undertake uncertainty alone.
