As we begin our new fiscal year and look forward to 2024, I wish to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Chair, Henri Belisle of TQ Construction, who, as of November 1 is leading our Board. I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dave Deamer of Polygon for his dedicated service as Chair over the past year; it has been a pleasure working with him.
MEMBERSHIP
This past year has been both robust and exciting for the association, marked by numerous events and milestones. We welcomed 186 new members, bringing our total membership to 1,136 as of October 31, with an impressive 90% renewal rate.
ADVOCACY
One of the standout achievements of the year has been the remarkable progress made by our Government Relations (GR) team. Successfully engaged with all levels of government, advocating for housing supply, policy change, and industry interests, we have been invited to participate in numerous forums, including 15 municipal DAC and DLC meetings, as well as representation in multiple provincial consultations and working groups including DAPR, DFRC, ESC councils and sub-committees, the BCBC, and working groups focused on the rollout of the Housing Supply Act, as well as, participating in working groups reviewing process and procedures across multiple municipalities.
Our engagement with these many groups in conjunction with CHBA-BC and other industry associations resulted in many of our “asks” being addressed in the numerous announcements and legislation unveiled by the BC government through the late fall including the multiplex zoning reforms, development financing changes, and transit-oriented development.
The recent Connections Municipal Dinner on November 1st was a resounding success, with 190 registered attendees, including 24 elected officials, engaged in meaningful discussions, with guest speaker City of Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and the Vancouver Sun and Province Editor-in-Chief Harold Munro sharing a fireside chat on platform promises one year in, the delivery of housing, and rising DCC charges.
COMMUNICATIONS
Our management teams have authored multiple reports on various industry topics, published weekly newsletters, responded to over 30 media requests, and further cemented HAVAN’s reputation as an influential voice in the housing sector.
EDUCATION
HAVAN’s education program continued to provide members with valuable and timely insights into industry knowledge and construction technology. We covered topics such as energy-efficient construction, business development, heat pump technologies, the Energy Step Code, and mental health in construction, featuring prominent guest speaker Corey Hirsch, and organizations like WorkSafeBC, Movember.com, UBC, BCIT, and Kuhn LLP.
CONNECTIONS
Connecting our members remains a top priority for HAVAN. Our annual Members Expo (600), Legends Dinner (250), Breakfast Networking events (200), and golf tournament (400) were met with enthusiastic attendance, fostering valuable industry connections, and marketing opportunities.
HAVAN AWARDS
The HAVAN Awards program, which attracted 359 entries this last year, provides a platform to celebrate the exceptional work of our members with the Finalist Reception and Gala collectively hosting over 700 guests.
Leveraging the HAVAN Awards program, our marketing and communications team helped to connect our members with homeowners through various channels including year-round media coverage, plus HAVAN’s podcast “Measure Twice, Cut Once” featuring special guests Bryan Baeumler of HGTV fame with HAVAN Awards Renovator of the Year Graeme Huguet of My House Design Build Team, and the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, BC Minister of Housing and Deputy Premier.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Our commitment to community engagement is exemplified by the ongoing Coats for Kids campaign, raising over $12,000 for Christmas Bureaus in 2023. This year, 75 members with 88 locations across 14 Metro Vancouver municipalities collected donations of gently used winter clothing and new toys from November 6 – December 6. Culminating with the Chill Out for Coats for Kids party at Trail Appliances Vancouver with over 200 people attending, it was a wonderful way to wrap up the 2023 event calendar and usher in the Holiday Season.
The Supplier’s Council’s Fall Classic Golf Tournament also raised $10,000 for HAVAN’s BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment Scholarships, bringing our total contribution for BCIT to over $100,000 in the past 25 years.
WOMEN’S COUNCIL
I’m also proud to announce that HAVAN’s Women’s Council, led by Co-Chairs Laurel James of Novell Design Build and Meredith Yuen of Marino General Contracting, initiated HAVAN’s support for BCIT’s new ACE Program, helping to connect high school students to the construction industry. The Women’s Council donated a total of $10,000 with generous matching support of $5,000 from Qualico Developments. This program is anticipated to become an annual contribution campaign.
VOLUNTEERS
I would be remiss to not mention and extend our thanks for the support of our members when looking back over this past year. We are proud to be a member-lead association with no less than 11 active committees, councils, and sub-committees that help execute our programs in support of HAVAN’s strategic plan developed by HAVAN’s Board and supported by staff. Hosting the first annual Industry Leadership Reception on October 5th, staff and members came together to celebrate our leaders with the Rooftopper Awards, Connections Award, Milestones, and the coveted Industry Awards.
ANNUAL REPORT
To get a comprehensive insight into the fiscal year of 2022/2023, check out the 2023 HAVAN Annual Report. I highly recommend taking a moment to look over and read the report as it highlights the broad scope of our activities, and the numerous membership advantages available to you. Speaking of membership, it is “that time of the year again” and dues are now payable. Your prompt payment is appreciated as it plays a crucial role in ensuring our operational efficiency and allows us to concentrate on our primary mission: delivering value to our members.
A PERSONAL MESSAGE …
On a personal note, you may have noticed my absence from HAVAN events since our golf tournament in September. On August 30, I was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and admitted to the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Vancouver General Hospital. The journey has included numerous tests, analyses, and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, during which time I was able to continue working.
Currently, I am in remission, and I’m profoundly grateful for the exceptional care I received from the staff at VGH. I also want to express my deep appreciation for the incredible support I’ve received from my partner, Jill, the HAVAN team, the Board, friends, and family.
The battle is not yet over, I continue with my treatment as an outpatient, and re-admission to VGH and a stem cell transplant is scheduled over the holiday break. The transplant offers the pathway to a cure, and I remain optimistic and determined to conquer this challenge and hope to make personal appearances at future events as circumstances permit.
I want to assure everyone that I am actively engaged in our work throughout my medical process and am available via phone and email. Our operations continue as usual, and we are excited about the prospect of furthering our efforts in advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for our members in 2024.
I am especially looking forward to celebrating HAVAN’s 50th Anniversary in 2024.
All the Best to the HAVAN team, the Board, our members, our industry colleagues, our Friends, and our Families for a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. Cheers
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 …
- Follow this link to the Harmonized Construction Code brief for the opportunity to comment and provide input to pending code changes that would allow Mass Timber Construction up to 18 Stories from the currently approved 12 stories. Members interested in or working in this space are encouraged to provide their feedback prior to these changes moving forward in the new year.
- Members are reminded that as of January 1, 2024, anyone handling or performing asbestos abatement work will be required to be certified as per WorkSafeBC requirements. Additionally, per January 1, 2024, anyone operating a concrete pump or placing boom at a workplace must hold a valid concrete pump operator certificate or work under the supervision of someone with a valid certificate. Please follow the links above to the WorkSafeBC resource pages that provide the background, requirements, and certification information. Don’t get caught offside!
- Previous MMB posts have discussed the recent legislation introduced by the province to support the Housing Supply Act and the Homes for People program. These changes are some of the most significant in a generation and while subject to trial and refinement and still embrace the need to affect major changes to the ‘status quo.’ It has also been suggested that many municipalities see these actions as an “overreach” by the province and meddling in the municipal sphere of influence. This op-ed from Khelsilem, a well-known Squamish nation councillor and housing advocate provides some insightful counterpoints to concerns voiced by Coquitlam mayor Richard Stewart.
- Pre-registration and early bird pricing are now available for the 2024 National Housing Conference presented by CMHC, March 18 & 19 in Ottawa. Ontario. Participants from across the housing industry are invited to “unlock solutions together” to help restore housing affordability and build more homes faster.
