Advocacy Update
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.

Key legislative changes included in this Bill and other recent legislative changes include:
  • Removing the authority for larger municipalities (with a population over 15,000) to set alternative timelines for subdivision and development permits.
  • Eliminating municipal authority to take additional reserve land (will be capped at 10%), as well as adding a public hearing requirement to increase transparency when changing a reserve designation to community services reserve.
  • Strengthening municipal reporting requirements for off-site levies.
  • Expanding the role of the Municipal Government Board to hear appeals on all off-site levies.
  • Strengthening transparency requirements of off-site levy calculations.
  • Removing requirements for Building Assessment Reports for new condominium developments (July 2021 implementation).
  • Eliminating Inclusionary Housing from the MGA (still exists in City Charters).
  • Simplifying requirements for Joint Worksite Health and Safety Committees.


These changes are a tremendous start in preserving housing affordability, reducing red tape and improving business predictability within our industry. Work continues on other changes including Off-Site Levies, City Charters, Prompt Payment, Environmental Approvals, Transportation Approvals, Building Code and the future of Auto-Adoption.

Questions? Contact BILD Alberta Executive Director Scott Fash.
New Builders' Lien Act - Prompt Payment
BILD Alberta continues to engage with Service Alberta on changes to the Builders’ Lien Act with a focus on increasing the prompt payment period from 28-days to 35-days. BILD Alberta held a webinar on November 17th outlining the implications of the new legislation and advocacy carried out to-date. Please contact Laara Braz if you would like a copy of the recording.

In the coming weeks, BILD Alberta will be developing additional resources to better explain the changes and how they may impact your accounting and administrative processes. Preliminary information on all of these changes can be found on our website.
New Measures to Reduce the Spread
BILD Alberta and local associations continue to engage with provincial and local governments to better clarify the restrictions that were introduced by the Government of Alberta. The following is our current understanding of the restrictions. For updates please visit our COVID Resource page.

General:
•   Employees should not come to work if they have any cold or flu like symptoms or have been in close contact with someone recently diagnosed with COIVID-19.  

Construction sites:
•   PPE (masks) and physical distancing in place for all workers
•   Limit the number of trades per site/home
•   Pre-shift COVID questionnaires/screening advisable
•   Provide hand washing stations
•   Where possible do not share equipment/sanitize after use
•   Remind workers of enhanced COVID safety protocols already in place
•   Members have shared their enhanced safety protocols

Showhomes/Design Centres/Sales Centres: 
•   Limited to appointment only - This is the current interpretation provided to BILD Alberta by the Government of Alberta. We will be engaging Alberta Health Services for further clarification and advise members through a special bulletin should this change.
•   COVID questionnaires advisable for all visitors
•   PPE (masks) to be worn by all staff and visitors
•   Physical distancing of at least 2m wherever possible
•   Limit the number of visitors per appointment
•   Visitors should be from the same household

Offices
•   Where possible, it is recommended employees should work from home
•   Employees not working from home require masks at the office unless seated in a private office or cubicle
•   Reduce capacity/number of people working from office
•   No indoor social gathering in any setting (private homes, public spaces or workplaces) – work meetings are not social gatherings, but attendance should be limited and public health measures followed.

Warranty Visits:
•   COVID questionnaires for homeowners prior to visit are advisable 
•   PPE (masks) and physical distancing for employees and homeowners

Maintaining construction as an essential service through the pandemic remains of critical importance. To help support our industry’s continued exemplary work in enhanced safety protocols, BILD Calgary Region is hosting a series of webinars in December that are available to all BILD Alberta members:
  • COVID Safety and Wellness Webinar on December 3. This free webinar will focus on COVID best practices, how to deal with COVID fatigue and compliance with the new restrictions.
  • Mental health webinars on December 7 & 14 (details to follow) - One for employers, managers and HR professionals on how to best support employees and what resources are available. The other for individual employees and will focus on supports available for your individual and family mental health.
Housing Data
The following table provides a snapshot of Alberta’s starts, inventory and sales. More information of the individual centres is available in the local reports.

Upcoming Webinars
Dec. 1 - Remote Workplace
Dec. 3 - COVID Safety Procedures Update free to all BILD Alberta members
Dec. 9 - Frame for Success
Dec. 15 - Photography & Virtual Staging Webinar

Dec. 15 - Market update with Urban Analytics

Dec.17 - Building a Successful Innovation Ecosystem for Artificial Intelligence in Edmonton (UDI members only)

Dec. 17 - Annual General Meeting