Bricks & Sticks
by Mark Parsons
Mark Parson's final column of 2004. Construction continues to provide jobs for thousands of Ontarians. Addressing construction deficiencies through Tarion and your builder The impact of NIMBYs on housing prices in the Greater Toronto Area. The impact the proposed greenbelt will have on home buyers in the Greater Toronto Area. Recent studies from Canada Mortgage and Housing Coporation and RBC/Ipsos Reid indicate Canadians are spending more on renovations then ever before. Students from Timothy Eaton partner with the GTHBA and Habitat for Humanity Toronto to gain experience construction as part of National Renovation Month. The GTHBA recently conducted a poll indicating the majority of people want to live in a single-family home. This is contrary to curent government plans to encourage intensification.. High-rise condominium sales continue to dominate an historically strong housing market. Industry experts give their predictions for the 2005 housing market. Recent seminar provides useful financial and legal advice for first time home buyers. No Bricks and Sticks column this week. Consumer information and education is the dominant theme of the week ahead as the GTHBA offers free seminars for first-time home buyers and homeowners seeking to make their existing homes like new. A new training facility and headquarters for locals 27 and 675 of the carpenters' union was recently used to launch a national campaign promoting careers in the skilled trades to Canadian youth. A discussion of the Real Property Development program at the Schulich School of Business. Details about the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre and careers available in construction. A discussion of changes the provinical government is proposing about the Greenbelt. Housing Affordability in the GTA, in reply to a consumer's comments. Land supply in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the effect on the future of affordable housing. Minister Caplan's recently released a discussion paper regarding a growth management plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. York region sewer and water infrastructure issue discussed. The skilled labour shortage and how young people can get involved. The federal election is on Monday, and the Canadian Home Builder's Association has been making a concerted effort to get housing issues onto the radar screen. Next week's Toronto City Council meeting will determine how much more home buyers will be paying in development charges when they buy a new home or condominium in the city. The economic importance of the renovation industry. The economic impact of the new home building and residential renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto Mayor Dennis Miller's Affordable Housing Summit. Housing Affording Index and First Time Home Buyers Seminar. Toronto Board of Trade launches its "Enough is NOT Enough" campaign. Toronto's historic Distillery District redevelopment. How this program is structured and how it can become truly effective. The challenge facing the Liberals in our industry in solving urban sprawl without sacrificing affordable housing, jobs or tax revenue. The skilled worker shortage and GTHBA proposals for addressing this issue. The reasons for the strong renovation market. 2004 GTHBA President Mark Parsons discusses his projections for new home sales in 2004.December 18, 2004 - A privilege to serve my industry December 11, 2004 - Housing boom drives hiring binge December 4, 2004 - TARION helps home buyers resolve deficiencies November 27, 2004 - NIMBYS biggest obstacle to effective growth management November 20, 2004 - Greenbelt threatens home buyers November 13, 2004 - Renovation rampage underway November 6, 2004 - The skilled tradespeople of tomorrow October 30, 2004 - Home buyers want to make smart choices October 23, 2004 - Condo sales driving housing market forward October 16, 2004 - Outlook 2005 October 9, 2004 - Advice for first-time home buyers October 2, 2004 September 25, 2004 - Focus on the consumer Sept. 18, 2004 - Campaigning for the skilled trades Sept. 11, 2004 - The need for higher education in real estate Sept. 4, 2004 - Opportunities abound in the skilled trades Aug. 28, 2004 - Time to show us the map Aug. 21, 2004 - Making sense of housing statistics Aug. 14, 2004 - Affordability is all relative Aug. 7, 2004 - The Importance of the 46-Day Strike Window July 31, 2004 - Affordable housing depends on land supply
July 24, 2004 - Growth management needs healthy discussion
July 17, 2004 - Return of the outhouse? July 10, 2004 - Builder rankings a possibility July 3, 2004 - Lots of great careers in the building trades June 26, 2004 - Housing hits the election radar screen June 19, 2004 - City needs growth to succeed June 12, 2004 - Home Improvement Market June 5, 2004 - We all depend on new home construction May 29, 2004 - Affordability of home ownership improves May 22, 2004 - Habitat for Humanity breaks through in Toronto May 15, 2004 - The great “dirt rush” of 2004 May 8, 2004 - Embrace the tower, Hume says May 1, 2004 - Shortage of skilled tradespeople Apr. 10, 2004 - National Home Show Apr. 3, 2004 - Toronto homebuyers, builders resist tax grab Mar. 28, 2004 - Q & A for the New Home Buyer Mar. 20, 2004 - Two cents worth for David Miller Mar. 13, 2004 - First Time Home Buyers Seminar Mar. 6, 2004 - Housing summit yields remarkable consensus Feb. 28, 2004 - Solid year for housing industry Feb. 21, 2004 - Time to quit taking and give some back Feb. 14, 2004 - Urban farming a growing concern Feb. 7, 2004 - OHOSP program can help first-time buyers Jan. 31, 2004 - Queen’s Park should listen before making changes Jan. 24, 2004 - Houses don’t build themselves Jan. 17, 2004 - Renovation market poised for growth Jan. 10, 2004 - 2004: Another good year for housing
