Review of Fall 2020 Provincial Elections (BC, SK, NB)

Review of Fall 2020 Provincial Elections (BC, SK, NB)

by | Nov 17, 2020 | HPBAC Blog, Member News

The fall of 2020 saw voters in three Canadian provinces head to the polls as part of provincial general elections. This article looks at the election results in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, and policy implications those results may have.

[content_control]

British Columbia

Election Date: October 24th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  B.C. New Democratic Party (Minority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  B.C. New Democratic Party (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: British Columbia New Democratic Party (57)
Opposition: British Columbia Liberal Party (28)
Third party: British Columbia Green Party (2)

Having governed for three-and-a-half years as part of a coalition government with the B.C. Green Party, Premier John Horgan drew criticism for his decisions to call a snap election on September 21st. Thankfully for he and his party however, the voters of B.C. did not hold the election call against the party, returning the B.C. NDP back to the legislature, this time with a strong majority mandate. This is the second government in as many months to head to the polls early and convert a minority mandate into a majority one, just as New Brunswick Premier Plaine Higgs did in September.

The years ahead will see the B.C. NDP Government pursue the commitments made in their 2020 Campaign Platform “Working For You”. Elements of the platform that may be of interest to industry members include:

  • Commit BC to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050: CleanBC currently sets a target of reducing emissions by 40 percent by 2030. To complete the task, we will pass legislation requiring BC to reach net-zero by 2050 – meaning there are either no harmful carbon emissions or they are offset by natural carbon sinks, carbon capture or other technologies.
  • Require greener buildings: We are already requiring new buildings and retrofits to be more energy efficient and cleaner – every new building constructed in BC must be net-zero ready by 2032. We will take the next step by empowering local governments to set their own carbon pollution performance standards for new buildings. And we will require realtors to provide energy efficiency information on listed homes to incent energy-saving upgrades and let purchasers know what energy bills they will face.
  • Accelerate energy efficiency retrofits beginning now: We will spur more energy-efficiency upgrades with programs and incentives for both residential and commercial buildings – including PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing that allows homeowners to take out loans for efficiency upgrades and pay them back over time through annual property taxes.

Want to know more about your local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

Saskatchewan

Election Date: October 26th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  Saskatchewan Party (Majority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  Saskatchewan Party (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: Saskatchewan Party (48)
Official Opposition: New Democratic Party (13)

Of the three provincial elections held this fall, Saskatchewan’s was the only one which was the result of a fixed election date. The election resulted in very little change in the make-up of the legislature, with Saskatchewan Party Leader and Premier Scott Moe returning with a strong majority mandate.

The party campaigned on their platform “Our Plan For A Strong Saskatchewan,” which includes the following items of interest to industry”

  • Reducing Taxes on Small Businesses: A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will introduce a three-year reduction to the small business tax rate, as part of the Saskatchewan Party’ plan to support Saskatchewan’s economic recovery from COVID-19. This will help support Saskatchewan small businesses sustain operations, retain and hire new employees, and grow their businesses.
  • The Saskatchewan Party government unveiled “Prairie Resilience,” our made in Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy, which will reduce emissions in a meaningful way. These commitments will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 12 million tonnes by 2030.
  • A re-elected Saskatchewan Party government will introduce a new Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit to make the cost of home renovations more affordable. The Saskatchewan Home Renovation Tax Credit will allow Saskatchewan homeowners to claim a non-refundable 10.5% provincial tax credit on eligible
    home renovation expenses undertaken on their primary residence between October 1st 2020 and December 31st, 2022.

Want to know more about you local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

New Brunswick

Election Date: September 14th, 2020

Governing Party Prior To The Election:  Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (Minority)

Governing Party Following The Election:  Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (Majority)

New Seat Breakdown:

Government: Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick (27)
Opposition: New Brunswick Liberal Party (17)
Third Party: Green Party of New Brunswick (3)
Fourth Party: People’s Alliance of New Brunswick (2)

As with British Columbia, the snap election call worked out favourably for Premier Blaine Higgs and the Progressive Conservative party, Mr. Higgs. the first Premier since 2003 to win a second term. The conservatives hold a modest majority in the Legislature with 27 seats.

“Up To The Job: Recover, Reinvent, Renew,” saw the party make the following commitments of note:

  • Helping businesses compete in a digital economy will be absolutely key to the province’s long-term success when international trade missions are no longer occurring and travel is restricted. Under our leadership, Opportunities New Brunswick will be working with our businesses across the province to support their transition to a digital economy so sales and exports can continue. They will support businesses in learning how to sell online, use enhanced marketing and e-commerce strategies, and promote our province’s brand through social media.
  • Productivity must improve to help New Brunswick businesses close the gap. Opportunities New Brunswick is designing programs to offer assessments and help our businesses close the productivity gap – especially our manufacturers who are struggling to scale their operations. This could mean embracing robotics, artificial intelligence, and just using existing technologies more effectively to increase outputs and improve overall competitiveness so they can weather this storm and come out the other end stronger.
  • Importantly, our government will ensure that energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from new constructions will be at least 25 percent lower than National Building Code requirements.

Want to know more about you local Member of the Legislative Assembly? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

HPBA Canada will follow the progress on the commitments made throughout these campaigns, and continue to provide updates to members.

To discuss any of these matters, feel free to contact:

Adam De Caire

Director, Public Affairs
HPBA Canada
(647) 998-4235
adam@hpbacanada.org
[/content_control]

Working from the Warmth of Home

Working from the Warmth of Home

by | Sep 30, 2020 | Consumer News, Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog, Member News

Picture this: It’s mid afternoon on a cool October weekday, and you are about to log on to your fourth virtual meeting of the day. Most of the other callers will be in front of a bland background. Maybe a wall, or a bookshelf if they decide to get fancy. There may be one or two people on the call who are both adventurous and tech-savvy enough to use a virtual background: a sandy beach, their favourite golf course, or a luxurious office space that doesn’t really exist. And then there is you. You’re poised with the comfort and ambiance of a real fireplace just over your shoulder. Congratulations. You have won the meeting, and it hasn’t even started yet!

With the COVID-19 pandemic transforming how and where Canadians work, it’s no surprise that sales of home improvement and outdoor entertainment goods have been strong this summer.

“You’re looking at about $3.5 billion in sales in the month of June — that’s the latest figure from StatsCan. Not only higher than it was in May but it’s actually higher than it was in June last year — so you’ve actually seen growth over the comparable month pre-COVID,” said Karl Littler, Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs for the Retail Council of Canada.

Whether investing to take your home office to the next level, up the cozy-level in a bedroom, or adding new style and animation to a living space that may be seeing more living than usual for the foreseeable future, a fireplace adds warmth, elegance, and comfort to your home like nothing else.

If you haven’t explored what is available in the fireplace market recently, you will be pleasantly surprised at the flexibility of styles, sizes and fuel types now available, which provide nearly infinite options for location, design, and functionality within a home:

Fuel Options

  • Natural Gas remains a great option for beauty, warmth and convenience
  • Of course, some will opt for the traditional authenticity and comfort of a woodburning appliance
  • Ethanol or Alcohol Gel models offer the beauty of real flame with no smoke or smell, do not require any chimney or venting, and as a result can be installed virtually anywhere.
  • Electric fireplaces offer an alternative to real flame, which will appeal to some for safety, convenience, or design purposes

Heating vs. Decorative

You may also be surprised to know that not all fireplaces are designed to heat the space around them. Ethanol and alcohol gel models generally produce little heat, and Natural Gas, Electric, and even woodburning appliances can also be configured with little heat output for those seeking the aesthetic benefits of the appliance over heating functionality.

Design

To discuss trends and design options, HPBA Canada spoke with Adriana Mot, Principal of Toronto-based Dochia Interior Design since 2000. Both an architect and interior designer by training, Adriana has a unique perspective on the fireplace as a key design feature: “A fireplace can be a mix of art and architecture, and a feature element in any space”.

Adriana has identified the trends she has experienced with her most recent hearth projects:

  • Open flame, when safely available, is very much in, both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, the feature can be a place to gather together. Indoors, it’s just something cool.
  • Simple and sleek linear fireplaces always remain popular.
  • Two sided fireplaces are popular, and can positively change the relationship between two rooms, such as tying a working space into a more family oriented space.
  • Three sided fireplaces are an elegant way to divide an otherwise open space.
  • Many clients are looking for ambiance and visual presence over heat production.

On the topic of working from home, Adriana notes “the office or work space is traditionally somewhere private and quiet, so adding the animation of a fireplace to the space where you will be working can make it feel less isolated and more comfortable while maintaining the necessary privacy.

Adriana has worked with beautiful appliances from a number of HPBA Canada member companies, referencing Canadian companies Montigo and Napoleon, as part of her more recent work, and has regular contact with many of the industry’s manufacturers to keep abreast of the latest developments in innovation and design.

Adriana Mot, Principal
Dochia Interior Design

If you are considering home updates in the near future, consider the beauty and animation of a feature fireplace.

FortisBC Connect to Gas Program Update – Outdoor Appliance Top-up

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Consumer News, Member News

With summer in full swing, many customers may be prioritizing outdoor renovations over space heating and water heater upgrades. To help customers with undertaking outdoor renovations projects, while also getting them to think about space heating and water heating upgrades, FortisBC is introducing an additional $300 rebate offer for outdoor appliances under the Connect to Gas program effective July 1, 2020.

Who is eligible?

  • Customers who replace their old oil, wood or propane primary space heating system with an eligible ENERGY STAR® high-efficiency natural gas furnace, boiler or combination heating and hot water system, and also install a natural gas outdoor appliance (BBQ, patio heater, outdoor fireplace or fire pit) are now eligible for up to $2,000 in rebates.
  • Customers whose homes are already connected to natural gas, can now receive up to $1,400 in rebates when they install a direct vent wall furnace, water heater and a natural gas outdoor appliance (BBQ, patio heater, outdoor fireplace or fire pit).

Increased contractor incentives

Also effective July 1, contractors who take part in the Connect to Gas program can receive up to $175 in incentives: $100 for an eligible space heating upgrade, $150 for an eligible space and water heating upgrade and an additional $25 incentive for an outdoor appliance.
[content_control]
For any questions about the program, please visit the FortisBC Connect to Gas website page, call 1-877-740-0055, or email rebates@fortisbc.com.
[/content_control]

British Columbia Showing Leniency Around NSPS Step 2 Deadline

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Member News

HPBA Canada staff have been in communication with officials from the Province of British Columbia to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the industry in relation to any regulatory requirements.
[content_control]
HPBA Canada highlighted the months of sales lost as a result of business closures, and of decreased economic activity.

Officials indicated that the Province is prepared to offer some leniency as a result of the pandemic, and will not be pursuing immediate enforcement of the “Step 2” requirement, for businesses that required some additional time to sell existing stock of “Step 1” appliances. This means that Step one appliances can be sold past May 15th, 2020, until existing stock in the province is depleted.

Please click on the attached letter from B.C. officials, which states “It is expected that as the existing inventory of appliances (Step 1 certified) is cleared, it will be replaced with newer appliances that meet the latest NSPS “Step 2” certification. In speaking with officials, it is clear that continual shipping of Step 1 appliances into the province would be looked upon unfavourably.

It is suggested that retailers keep this letter on hand, should any questions about the May 15th 2020 deadline come up.

[/content_control]

Residential Construction Rebate Program Launched in Newfoundland

by | Jun 22, 2020 | Consumer News, Member News

The Residential Construction Rebate Program will allow homeowners to save money on construction and renovation projects, while also helping to stimulate the economy and employment in the province’s construction industry.

HPBA Canada has clarified that new installations as well as retrofits of both solid-fuel and gas hearth appliances are eligible for rebate as part of this program.

This program applies to projects contracted between June 8 and August 7, 2020 and started on or after June 8, 2020, with work substantially completed by March 31, 2021.
[content_control]

Renovation Projects

A 25 per cent rebate is available for renovation projects for principal residences, up to a maximum rebate of $10,000 (based on a $40,000 project).

New Home Construction

A rebate of $10,000 is available for new home construction on homes valued up to $350,000 before HST.

The rebate will apply to work on a primary residence contracted within a 60-day period from the start of COVID-19 Alert Level 3, and the project must be substantially complete by March 31, 2021. To qualify, homeowners must use an eligible contractor, which includes those who have general liability insurance and are registered (i.e., HST registered, valid Business Number or Workers Compensation registered). 

For further information about this program or questions, please contact:

Canadian Home Builders’ Association NL
48 Welland Street
St. John’s, NL A1E 6C1
T: 709-753-2000
TF: 1-800-265-2800
admin@chbanl.ca
www.chba.ca
[/content_control]

Click here for more information