Members of the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) elected Henri Belisle, President and Co-owner, TQ Construction as their 2023/2024 Chair at HAVAN’s Annual Election Meeting online, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
A HAVAN member for more than 28 years, Belisle and his family’s Burnaby-based, multi-award-winning company TQ Construction has been a trusted name in the residential construction industry for more than 35 years. A Red Seal Carpenter, Belisle is a second-generation business owner and continues to evolve TQ Construction as an innovative and progressive design-build firm. He also earns the distinction of being the first second-generation Chair at HAVAN, with his father, Ralph Belisle, serving in the same role in 2002.
While overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business, Belisle is an active member of HAVAN, serving 5 years on the Board of Directors with the last two terms in the roles of Second Vice Chair and First Vice Chair. In addition to his time on the Board, he also is Past-Chair of HAVAN’s Young Professionals Committee, Vice-Chair for HAVAN’s Custom Homebuilder and Renovation Council, and an enthusiastic volunteer and liaison to HAVAN. Belisle succeeds outgoing Chair, David Deamer, Vice President Construction, Polygon Homes.
Belisle spoke to the online audience reflecting on his unique position as a second-generation Chair at HAVAN, and his commitment to uphold HAVAN’s values through collaboration with returning and newly elected Board members. By encouraging fresh perspectives and opportunities, HAVAN will continue to be a respected ‘beacon of innovation and integrity within our industry,’ as HAVAN approaches its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Ron Rapp, HAVAN CEO, congratulated Belisle on his new appointment, as Chair of the Board, and welcomed all new and returning members to the 2023/2024 HAVAN Board, while offering a heartfelt thanks to retiring member Andrew Delmonico, partner at Kuhn LLP his years of service and support.
Also elected to the 2023/2024 HAVAN Executive Committee are: First Vice-Chair Alisa Aragon-Lloyd – Bridgestone Financing Pros (Vancouver); Second Vice-Chair, Jonathan Meads, Vice President Construction, StreetSide Developments, a Qualico Company (Surrey); Secretary/Treasurer Chris Mould, MNP LLP, (Surrey), with David Deamer, Polygon Homes, (Vancouver) as Past Chair.
Elected to the 2023/2024 HAVAN Board of Directors are:
Ben Nishi, FortisBC, (Surrey); Cheri Stefanucci, Abstract Homes & Renovations Inc. (Vancouver); Dan Glavind, Dick’s Lumber & Building Supplies, (Burnaby); Garett Wall, Centra Windows (Langley); Katerina Vastardis, Designs by KS (Vancouver); Kevin Hatch, Twin Lions Contracting Ltd. (North Vancouver); Larry Clay, Clay Construction Inc. (Langley); Liam Robertson, Kuhn LLP (Abbotsford), Lynn Harrison, Harrison Marketing Resources Ltd. (Port Moody); Mark Cooper, Shakespeare Homes & Renovations Inc. (North Vancouver); Matt Robinson, Monarch Floor & Window Coverings, (Burnaby); Randy Chin, RBC (Vancouver); Rob Griesdale, Blackfish Homes, (North Vancouver).
HAVAN continues to work with CHBA BC and CHBA to advocate for all levels of government to work together to address the challenges of the housing industry including zoning restrictions, density limits, and NIMBYism.
Looking to stay up-to-date on Metro Vancouver’s residential housing industry? Sign up for Ron’s weekly Monday Morning Briefing and other HAVAN emails here.
QUICK BITES …
- This past Wednesday, Mayor Ken Sims announced a plan to address the City’s housing crisis. The seven points noted are:
1. accelerating the implementation of the 26 Village Areas to allow for the construction of townhouses, multiplex buildings and mixed-use low-rise buildings;
2. aligning the Vancouver Building By-law (CBO) with the BC Building Code (BCBC);
3. reviewing the Shadow Impact Criteria and Guidelines, which look at shadows cast on parks and open spaces;
4. expanding and improving the city’s Certified Professional (CP) program;
5. increasing the maximum allowable floor plate size for residential towers;
6. furthering enforcement of short-term rentals and,
7. exploring the rezoning of lands to increase housing density, especially around SkyTrain stations. - Zoning regulates land use—what building types can go where, at what heights, and at what densities. It is actually a significant lever to pull for housing supply, and can have a great impact on affordability and social equity. The Georgia Straight offers a historical look at how Vancouver made affordability illegal.
- Looking abroad, since the 1960s, Tokyo has tripled its housing supply. And because housing is far more abundant in Japan’s capital, it’s also cheaper. What’s their secret? As per the Insider ‘Experts say it mostly comes down to liberal and centralized land-use policies, shaped over decades, that give developers a lot of power to build what they want, when they want.’
- Looking ahead, the future of 3D printing a home maybe not as far off as one thinks, CBS News 60 Minutes reports on an Austin Texas company printing a 100-home community.
- HAVAN is pleased to announce a new partnership with Canada Wide Media to produce the 2024 Contact Directory and a 50th anniversary publication scheduled next year. With our deep connections in the local design and homebuilding industry, we’re thrilled to partner with HAVAN on their Members Directory and 50th Anniversary Special Issue,” says Nina Wagner, Group Vice President, Publishing and Operations at Canada Wide Media. “With over 40 years of publishing experience on top brands like Western Living, BCBusiness and Vancouver magazines, we bring the same care and attention to detail to our custom publications—we count BCAA and BCSPCA amongst our clients. We look forward to connecting with both new and established members of HAVAN.
- Yes, you read correct. HAVAN is turning 50 in 2024! Watch this space as we begin to roll out events and sponsorship opportunities. Contact Renee@havan.ca for details.
