BUILDING DURHAM

In response to changes to the Planning Act, and as part of Clarington's Affordable Housing Toolkit, municipal staff are drafting Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments.  These amendments will increase permissions for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as secondary suites, in-law suites, basement apartments, and in-house apartments.

Subject to certain conditions, one ADU will be permitted within a house, and another ADU will be permitted within a detached accessory structure (such as a garage) on the same property.

These ADUs will be allowed in urban and rural areas, with some limitations for properties within the Oak Ridges Moraine.

A Statutory Public Meeting will take place on September 13, 2021, with more details to follow.

If you would like to be kept informed about this project and receive notice of the upcoming meeting, please contact Mark Jull at mjull@clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2426, or Carlos Salazar at csalazar@clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2409.

RNC Builder and HVAC communication - Revised Enbridge Inspection Documents.pdf

Each year, CHBA produces Economic Impact Fact Sheets that report on the significant economic impacts of the residential construction industry across Canada at the national, provincial and community levels. The new home construction home and renovation industries are crucial to the Canadian economy at large and in every single community, creating jobs at the local level that help our communities thrive. The fact sheets reflect estimated economic impacts of residential activity for the past year based on Statistics Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data.

As of last year, CHBA is also pleased to present our annual publication: Residential Construction in Canada – Economic Performance Review 2020 with 2021 Insights. This report provides a holistic overview of the housing market and the significant economic impacts of the residential construction industry in Canada. The report leverages published government data from a variety of sources, with more analysis, explanations, and graphs.

The report also includes our annual Economic Impact Fact Sheets which highlight the importance of the residential construction industry within Canada’s economy and in each community across the country.

These are the highlights from Durham Region:

The total economic impacts of residential construction (new home building, renovation and repair):

• 19,688 jobs - on and off-site jobs - one of the largest employers
• $1.3 billion in wages - dollars that show up in purchases across the entire local economy
• $2.3 billion in investment - built investment value is the largest single wealth-builder for many families.

The economic impacts of new home construction:

• 4,211 starts - new housing starts are key to economic growth in our community
• 10,086 jobs - on and off-site jobs - a major source of employment
• $663.9 million in wages - dollars that show up in purchases across the entire local economy
• $1.2 billion in investment - maintains and improves the largest single wealth-builder for most families.

The economic impacts of home renovation and repair:

• 9,602 jobs - a major source of employment in the community
• $633.3 million in wages - dollars that show up in purchases across the entire local economy
• $1 billion in investment - maintains and improves the largest single wealth-builder for many families.

The economic impacts have been calculated by Will Dunning Inc. Economic Research and estimates are based on 2020 data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Statistics Canada.

In October, the Durham Region Home Builders' Association will be hosting their Annual General Meeting and electing their board of directors for the 2021-2023 term. 

The following positions are available for election:

• Five (5) Builder/Renovator directors
• Two (2) Trade Contractor directors
• Two (2) Supplier directors
• Three (3) Professional directors

Elected directors will serve a two year term.

DRHBA's top priority is advocacy work for the building industry as a whole.  We also provide networking opportunities and great events for our members.  We are looking for individuals who are willing to share their time, knowledge and experience to further the interests of the building community.  We believe that each director brings a unique skill set and perspective to the table.

Directors will be required to attend four board meetings per year (November, February, May and September), and will be asked to join one of our committees.  We ask that you share your time and expertise, whether that means managing a GR file, speaking at a public meeting or helping to plan one of our gala events. 

As a director, you will be representing the Durham Region Home Builders' Association.  You will be expected to attend most of our events, including member events, seminars, the Awards of Excellence, President's Ball and golf tournament.

Being on the Durham Region Home Builders' Association's board of directors is a great way to help shape the industry, steer the direction of the Association, network, get more involved and stay informed on what's going on in the building world.

If you are interested in becoming a director, please forward your nomination form to Stacey at s.hawkins@drhba.com by Wednesday, August 11, 2021.  All forms will be forwarded to the nominations committee for review.  If there are more qualified applicants than positions available, an election will be held at the Annual General Meeting in October.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to provide a bio and photograph to be published in September's news bulletin.

If you have any questions, please contact Stacey at 905-579-8080 ext. 2 or s.hawkins@drhba.com.

Download nomination form.

The City of Oshawa is currently undergoing an update to their development charges (DCs) to address the Fire Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment, Growth Related Operations Facility Needs Assessment, and a change to the treatment of self-storage facilities from Industrial to Commercial by definition.

The 2021 Development Charges Update Study, completed by Watson & Associates, indicates that this update would result in an increase of $481 for single detached homes, from the current $25,509 to $25,990.

The statutory public meeting is scheduled for September.  The updated DC Bylaw would be brought to council in October or November, and would go into effect in either December 2021 or January 2022.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stacey.

At the June 21, 2021 Oshawa Council meeting, councillors debated a motion that, if passed, would have seen staff directed to create a policy for the city to move away from back-to-back stacked townhouses and to promote larger parks.

The motion was brought forward by Councillor McConkey at a prior Development Services Committee meeting.  It was passed by the committee 4-2, with councillors Hurst, McConkey, Marimpietri and Mayor Carter in favour, and Councillors Chapman and Kerr against. The motion was then pulled for discussion at the council meeting.

After vigorous debate, the motion lost on a 6-4 vote, with Councillor McConkey abstaining due to a conflict.  Councillors voting in favour of the motion were Mariempietri, Marks, Hurst and Mayor Carter.  Voting against were councillors Nicholson, Chapman, Giberson, Gray, Kerr and Neal.

During the debate, Councillors Nicholson, Giberson and Chapman argued that limiting back-to-back and stacked towns would remove housing choice, remove more affordable housing options and in order to meet density requirements would have to be replaced with apartment buildings that would not be appropriate in many areas, such as infill sites.

It should be noted that the motion was amended during the council meeting, but as of July 8, 2021, the meeting's minutes have not yet been posted, and the City of Oshawa's livestream technology does not allow for viewers to see amendments on the screen.  However, based on discussion it appears that the amendment was to have the policy apply to future development and not to projects already underway.

The original motion read:

Whereas, on June 8, 2020, the Development Services Committee referred the following matter (Item DS-20-69) to staff:

Whereas, people need access to the trees and birds and wildlife for their wellbeing and mental health, to paraphrase a well-known Canadian author, our brains are hot-wired to want places outdoors, there's a reason people are more relaxed around trees than around concrete and glass and asphalt; and,

Whereas in 2020 high density urban areas without a readily accessible public space outdoors became a part of the pandemic problem, one takeaway from the shutdown is that our urban growth strategies need to factor in more green space, we need to start looking at ways to get more green space in our cities, people need to be able to go outside, they need more parks, this should be an essential service; and,

Now therefore, the City of Oshawa shall establish a consultative process during the process for urban design, secondary plans, infill developments and subdivision plans that gives strong consideration to the impact of COVID-19 and other future pandemics, and promotes larger parks and a move away from back-to-back stacked townhomes."; and,

Whereas, the City seeks the input of the public and other stakeholders on the location of residential  areas to be developed of various densities, including areas that permit back-to-back stacked townhouses (considered apartment buildings by definition in Zoning By-law 60-94) as well as on the location and size of parks and open space areas through robust planning exercises and development review processes, including statutory public consultation under the Planning Act for such matters as new Part II Plans (i.e. Columbus Part II Plan), amendments to the Oshawa Official Plan and Zoning By-law 60-94, and applications for proposed draft plans of subdivision; and,

Whereas given the current housing market back-to-back townhouses and stacked townhouses are among the more affordable entry level housing types and provide an alternative to traditional mid- and high-rise apartment buildings; and;

Whereas, Habitat for Humanity is proposing to construct stacked townhouses as an affordable condominium home ownership model on lands acquired from the City at 485 and 501 Normandy Drive, a project that was the subject of recent approvals from the Committee of Adjustment for various zoning variances; and,

Whereas, stacked townhouses assist to achieve various housing density targets as mandated by the Province; and,

Whereas, the City has advanced the acquisition of additional parkland throughout the City such as in the downtown, older developed urban areas and in greenfield areas; and,

Whereas the City has recently advanced the development of new parks including the Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park along the waterfront, Dr. Blake Parkette and the Dale Hawerchuk Parkette in older developed neighbourhoods, and the Thornton Community Park which includes a bike park; and,

Whereas, as part of ongoing development in the City involving components of the Natural Heritage System such as creek valleys, wetlands and woodlots, the City acquires such areas for open space and recreation purposes that residents can enjoy; and,

Whereas, the City also advances the development of active transportation facilities such as multi-use paths, and recreational trails within parks and open space areas;

Therefore staff be directed to establish a policy and consultative process to promote larger parks and move away from back to back stacked townhouses.

The Town of Ajax has directed staff to investigate a Residential Rat Control Rebate Program.

Detailed in report LIS 2021-01, the Town is investigating ways to mitigate the current rat problem.

The report recommends that staff prepare the necessary by-laws to enable the Town to require, where appropriate, a Pest Clearance Certificate as a pre-condition to obtaining a demolition permit, a sediment and erosion control permit, or a site alteration/servicing permit.

Staff had also investigated the feasibility of having developers fund the cost of a Rodent Control Rebate Program through the collection of a security or a fee (e.g. through a development agreement), however, the town solicitor has advised that it would not be legally defensible to do so.

The Region of Durham is currently undergoing a Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR), which they have called Envision Durham.  This process has been ongoing for several years, and throughout the process the Region has been asking for feedback from the residential construction industry.

On July 2, 2021, the Region of Durham released their Region-Wide Growth Analysis Technical Report, as part of their Growth Management Study.

Feedback can be submitted to EnvisionDurham@durham.ca by August 3, 2021.  You can also provide your comments to Stacey to have DRHBA submit feedback on your behalf.

More reports related to Envision Durham will be released throughout the summer and DRHBA will post those as they become available.

The Region of Durham approved its amended DC Bylaw at the June 23rd council meeting.  The new rates will come into effect on July 1, 2021.

The updated rates (including this year's annual indexing of 3.1%) are:

Type	Rate
Single & Semi Detached	$35,050
Medium Density Multiple	$28,230
Apartment - 2 Bedrooms & Larger	$20,401
Apartment - 1 Bedroom & Smaller	$13,262

With this update, the Region of Durham is now in compliance with the changes to the Development Charge Act that came in under Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice.

There are some important updates that members should be aware of with respect to the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Program (paid sick days). The full website can be found here with all relevant detail. New and important details are noted below.

WSIB Claim for Reimbursement Portal

Members can find the portal here for submitting a claim for reimbursement. A reminder that employers are entitled to be reimbursed the amount of infectious disease emergency leave pay that they paid to their employees, up to $200 per employee per day taken, with a maximum of 3 days per employee.

Check the status of your claim

Once you submit your claim you will receive a claim confirmation number. You can check your claim status with the WSIB for an up-to-date view on the progress of your claim.

Payment Schedule

Payments are scheduled to begin by the end of June and happen on a bi-weekly basis thereafter. It is expected that it will take approximately two weeks to process an approved claim. The timing of payment depends on the completeness and complexity of the claim.

Paid leave under existing contract

Employees who have rights to paid leave under their employment contract (which includes a collective agreement) may not be eligible for paid infectious disease emergency leave or may be entitled to fewer than three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA).

For an employee’s three-days of ESA paid leave to be reduced, all four of the following criteria must be met.

On April 19, 2021:

1. The employee had the right to a paid leave under their employment contract for one or more of the same reasons that paid infectious disease emergency leave can now be taken under the ESA. 
2. The employee had not already used up those days of paid leave under their employment contract before April 19, 2021 and those days were still remaining.
3. The employee’s employment contract provided pay for the leave that is at least as much pay as the employee would be entitled to receive for paid infectious disease emergency leave under the ESA.
4. The employee’s employment contract did not contain conditions for taking the leave that are more restrictive than what is set out in the ESA for taking paid infectious disease emergency leave.

Where all four of these criteria are met, the employee’s three-day entitlement to paid infectious disease emergency leave under the ESA is reduced by the number of days available under their employment contract that meet the four criteria. 

Employee opt-out of paid leave

Receiving paid infectious disease emergency leave may affect an employee’s eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under other programs. To avoid this outcome, employees may choose not to receive the infectious disease emergency leave pay they are entitled to. To do this, employees must advise their employer in writing of their decision to take the time as unpaid infectious disease emergency leave.

This written notice of their decision must be made before the end of the pay period in which the leave occurs.

Proof of entitlement to leave

Employers may require evidence reasonable in the circumstances at a time that is reasonable in the circumstances that the employee is entitled to the leave. What is considered reasonable in the circumstances will depend on all of the facts of the situation. However, employers cannot require an employee to provide a certificate from a doctor or nurse as evidence.  

If it is reasonable in the circumstances, evidence may take many forms, such as:

• a copy of the information issued to the public by a public health official advising of quarantine or isolation
• a copy of an order to isolate that was issued to the employee under s. 22 or s. 35 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act
• an email from a pharmacy or from a public health department indicating the employee’s appointment date and time to receive a COVID-19covid 19 vaccination.

Unpaid infectious disease emergency leave taken between April 19, 2021 and April 28, 2021

Although the ESA was amended on April 29, 2021, the entitlement to paid infectious disease emergency leave is deemed to have started on April 19, 2021. Eligible employees who took an unpaid infectious disease emergency leave between April 19, 2021 and April 28, 2021, for a reason for which they can take paid leave, can choose to take those days as paid leave instead. To make this decision, employees must have advised their employer in writing no later than May 12, 2021.   

Get help

For specific-claim related inquiries once you have a claim confirmation number or technical issues with submitting a claim, please request support and a claims specialist will reach out to you.

For more general information on eligibility criteria, how to apply and program rules, please call the Ontario COVID-19covid 19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Information Centre 1-888-999-2248 ( TTY: 1-866-567-8893).