Jul 4, 2016 | RAHB News |
On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Hamilton Planning and Economic Development Department Senior Advisor Chris Phillips treated RAHB members to a peek at the full Hamilton West Harbour redevelopment plan.
Chris spoke about the vision for the 20-acres the City owns in the Waterfront area, and the private sector opportunities for developing Piers 7 and 8 in particular. With Chris were Hamilton Ec Dev colleagues Philbert Kim, Ed English and Gavin Norman to help answer members’ questions.
View the presentation slide deck to get an overview of what’s in store for the West Harbour lands.
Jun 9, 2016 | Member Services |
RAHB Members!
Use the promo code BAESNRH to received a $100 discount off the regular price for the Bay Area Economic Summit!
When you register online, choose the number of tickets you want (maximum 2), and provide your contact information. When you get to the next screen, enter the promo code BAESNRH, and then check out at the reduced price.
May 4, 2016 | Member Services |
RAHB Members!
Use the promo code BAESNRH to received a $100 discount off the regular price for the Bay Area Economic Summit!
When you register online, choose the number of tickets you want (maximum 2), and provide your contact information. When you get to the next screen, enter the promo code BAESNRH, and then check out at the reduced price.
Apr 6, 2016 | Member Services |
Following an extensive pre-budget consultation process, the Minister of Finance Bill Morneau tabled Budget 2016, the first budget for the new Liberal government after rising to power on an ambitious plan centered on strengthening the middle class.
The current fiscal reality has seen the national deficit increase to $29 billion as the federal government works to fulfill its election commitments, combat climate change and introduce measures to stimulate the economy amid a collapse in oil prices.
Given the government’s concerns about home prices in high-priced markets (like Toronto and Vancouver) and its recent decision to increase minimum down payments, CREA did not expect our industry’s lobbying proposals for the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) to be included in this year’s budget.
CREA will continue to press for changes to the HBP in meetings between MPs and PAC representatives during our spring constituency visits and the PAC Days conference this fall.
Budget 2016 also contains additional initiatives of interest to the
REALTOR® community:
- Middle income taxes are cut from 22 per cent to 20.5 per cent. A new tax bracket of 33 per cent for individuals earning more than $200,000 each year has been created.
- The government will invest in social infrastructure, including affordable housing and senior facilities. They plan to increase Canadians’ access to affordable housing by building more units and renovating existing stock. They will also provide operational funding support for municipalities, including renewing support for Housing First initiatives that help homeless Canadians find stable housing.
- An important investment will be made to First Nations communities to address on- reserve urgent housing needs as well as the renovation and retrofit of existing units. The government will focus on establishing a National Housing Framework to support the construction and maintenance of on-reserve housing.
- On December 11, 2015, the Government announced coordinated actions to strengthen the resiliency of Canada’s housing finance system, increase market discipline in residential lending, and promote long-term stability and balanced economic growth. The budget notes that the government will continue to closely monitor vulnerabilities related to housing and consumer debt and is prepared to implement further measures, should they be needed.
- Budget 2016 proposes to address this data gap by allocating $500,000 to Statistics Canada in 2016-17 to develop methods for gathering data on purchases of Canadian housing by foreign homebuyers.
- The government is not proposing any modifications to what is known as the “5 person rule” that defines an active business.
- The government will invest $30 million over 3 years starting in 2016-17 to homeowners affected by Pyrrhotite, a mineral found in foundations in certain regions of Québec.
- $3.4 billion over three years will be invested to upgrade and improve public transit systems across Canada.
CREA will continue to monitor developments on these issues and keep the REALTOR® community informed as further details are disclosed.
Mar 4, 2016 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
The Ontario Real Estate Association circulated the following information about the 2016 Ontario Budget, and what it means for REALTORS®.
The highlights from Ontario Budget 2016:
- Budget 2016 outlines the government’s plan to create jobs and grow the economy, invest in major infrastructure projects, low-carbon initiatives and programs to improve skills in Ontario’s workforce.
- Budget 2016 reaffirms and updates the government’s commitments to reform beer and alcohol sales, maximize the value of government assets and improve Ontarians retirement through the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan.
- Budget 2016 commits $100 million to a new home energy audit and retrofit rebate program. Home energy efficiency retrofit rebates for home owners was one of OREA’s recommendations to the 2016 Pre-Budget consultation.
- While there is no commitment to move forward on personal real estate corporations (PRECs), the 2016 Budget does not signal any intention to move forward with giving additional revenue tools (MLTT) to municipalities.
What does the 2016 Budget mean for Ontario REALTORS®?
- Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT): We are happy to report that Budget 2016 does not reverse the province’s commitment not to give municipalities MLTT powers. OREA continues to monitor for legislation that would give any new revenue tools to municipalities.
- Personal Real Estate Corporations (PRECs): Unfortunately, the government did not include OREA’s pre-budget recommendation to permit the use of PRECs by real estate salespeople or brokers. OREA will continue to advocate for this proposal.
- Cap-and-Trade Initiative: Ontario will move forward with a cap-and-trade system as its carbon pricing mechanism. The government estimates that the cap-and-trade plan will add about 4.3 cents a litre to the price of gasoline and about $5 a month to natural gas bills.
- Ontario Home Energy Audits and Retrofits: The budget reconfirms the home energy audit and retrofit program introduced earlier this month. The program would invest $100 million from the Ontario Green Investment Fund to provide rebates for home owners with Enbridge or Union Gas to conduct an energy audit and retrofits recommended by the auditor. While OREA is supportive of the new program, we will continue to oppose any efforts to introduce mandatory home energy audits.
- Ontario Retirement Pension Plan/Pooled Registered Pension Plan: The budget announces the government’s commitment to move forward with the ORPP. The government also reaffirmed that their long term objective is to enhance the CPP.
- Changing Workplaces Review: OREA is currently involved in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 review, advocating to maintain the current exemption for real estate professionals. Budget 2016 announces that the Special Advisors leading the consultation will release their interim report by early 2016 and the full report in summer 2016.
- Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit (HHRTC): Budget 2016 announced that the HHRTC will end on January 1, 2017. The HHRTC was created to help seniors live independently in their homes by making renovations more affordable.
- Affordable Housing: The government announced that legislative and regulatory changes will be introduced to increase the supply and sustainability of affordable housing. In addition, Budget 2016 commits $178 million over three years to provide housing subsidies and support the construction of up to 1,500 new housing units.
Mar 4, 2016 | Member Services |
The following information has come to RAHB and may be of interest to members. Please note that the opinions of the author are not necessarily those held by RAHB, its Board of Directors or staff.
Dear Editor:
There seems to be a theme with provincial legislation lately and it has to do with trails. Recently we found out about Bill 118 and now there is Bill 100, which has been voted on once and is moving forward through government procedure. Both of these Bills remove and/or undermine private property rights.
Bill 100 leads the private property owner into thinking they can allow things like snowmobile trails, atv trails, hiking trails, etc., across their property and yet retain the right to shut those trails down, if they want or need to. They will not be able to, if Bill 100 is passed.
What are the main points of Bill 100? Bill 100 short titled Supporting Ontario’s Trails Act, 2015, includes 3 sections and 6 Schedules. Schedule 1 is the Ontario Trails Act, 2015, and has 16 sections.
This Act is by the Minister of Tourism and the Bill states the purposes of this Act are: to encourage the use of trails, to enhance trail experience, to protect trails, and to recognize trails.
Nothing in this Act is for the protection of the private property owner, and would seem to mislead the private property owner into entering into agreements where an easement would be registered against the title of the private property. This easement cannot be removed by the private property owner; it can only be removed by an “eligible body”, which under this Act is a “nominee.”
A “nominee” seems a very unusual term, and the reasoning for this term could seem quite the trick. When an “eligible body” approaches a private property owner about allowing a trail to cross their land, if the owner of the land agrees, then the owner is the one actually asking this “eligible body” to put an easement against the owner’s title. Unknowingly the private property owner has just turned over his rights to the eligible body, and because of this Act that eligible body can now go and register an easement against the title of the property.
“Eligible bodies” include, exerpt right from the Act: The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, including an agency, board or commission of the Crown that can hold an interest in land: an aboriginal band (within the meaning of the Indian Act of Canada), community or organization prescribed under this Act: a municipality: a conservation authority: a board under the Education Act: an incorporated registered charity under the Canada Corporations Act: a trustee of a charitable foundation and/or a donnee registered under the Income Tax Act: a qualified organization, under section 170 (h) Internal Revenue Code (United States)[(3)Future interests in tangible personal property… For purposes of the preceding sentence, a fixture which is intended to be severed from the real property shall be treated as tangible personal property.], etc.,: any other person or body prescribed under this Act.
Also, if a private property owner did allow an easement, that easement can be transferred from the eligible body, you have entered into an agreement with, to any of the other “eligible bodies” on that list, and you wouldn’t even know. So, in good faith, you enter into an agreement with the local snowmobile club and the next thing you know a municipality or conservation authority has an easement against your property. Is that what a private property owner wanted? No, but that’s what this Bill can do.
This Bill could also be a detriment to those who have had a really good working relationship with private property owners, because if a private property owner feels they are going to have an easement registered against their property that they haven’t any control over, or can’t remove, why would anyone allow any association, federation, or organization the privilege of putting a trail across their property. I know I wouldn’t, so this Bill does just the complete opposite of what its purpose is, to promote trails.
Bill 100 needs to die on the floor of Queen’s Park for the protection of everyone’s private property rights.
Elizabeth Marshall,
Director of Research Ontario Landowners Association, President All Rights Research Ltd., Director Canadian Justice Review Board
NOTE:
Don Johnson (Right at Home Realty Inc.) will be speaking on this topic at a Knowledge Pod at REALTOR® CONNECTIONS on March 23.
Dec 4, 2015 | Member Services |
Over three days in November, REALTORS® from across Ontario gathered in Toronto to meet and discuss the legislative issues facing the profession. Representatives were updated on the fight to have the Municipal Land Transfer Tax taken off the table as a new revenue tool for cities. A Private Member’s bill will be presented in December requesting that municipalities not have the option to levy this new tax against home buyers. See: http://donttaxmydream.ca/
OREA also presented their submission on a proposed mandatory energy audit program that would require an audit to be completed before a property is listed and that the score be included on the MLS® system. OREA’s proposal counters this position, but suggests that an energy audit be included as part of a standard home inspection, once the Province regulates that industry. See: https://www.oreablog.com/2015/09/ontario-realtors-oppose-mandatory-home-energy-audits/
Representatives from RAHB met with four of our five MPPs, and had a chance to raise concerns about these issues. Results were mixed, but we hope to have more details soon, as many hadn’t yet discussed the issues
in caucus.
(l-r) RAHB Government Relations committee representatives
Kathy Della-Nebbia and Nik Bucalo and OREA PAC rep Sean Morrison.
Update!
Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ted McMeekin informed the legislature on December 1 that the government will not give municipalities outside of Toronto the ability to charge a municipal land transfer tax (MLTT).
Oct 14, 2015 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reports that Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Justin Trudeau has pledge to modernize the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP) if elected, by enabling Canadians impacted by significant life changes to access the program and use money from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSPs) to buy a house without tax penalty.
The HBP is a REALTOR®-driven initiative, introduced by the government as a short-term stimulus measure in 1992 and made a permanent program in 1994. Since its inception, over 2.8 million Canadian have used the HBP to help make home ownership more affordable. The program allows Canadians to borrow, on a repayable basis, from their own RRSPs to purchase a home.
For more information on the Liberal Party of Canada’s announcement, please review the Affordable Housing for Canadians backgrounder on the party’s website.
For more information on CREA’s proposal on this topic, please review CREA’s Support Canadian Workers Through Job Relocation infographic on REALTOR Link®.
Oct 14, 2015 | RAHB News |
Federal candidates, that is. If you have the opportunity to meet with any of the candidates over the next few weeks, consider asking them some of these questions. Responses can be submitted to Megan at meganp@rahb.ca or through the REALTOR® Action Network, www.realtoractionnetwork.ca.
Sample Questions
- A strong, stable housing market is important for Canada’s economy. To that end, how can the federal government continue to support Canadian homeownership, especially for first time buyers, a significant percentage of whom borrow from their parents to buy a home?
- Have you heard of the Home Buyers’ Plan? Have you or someone you know used the Home Buyers’ Plan?
- REALTORS® are urging the government to index the Home Buyers’ Plan so it keeps pace with inflation. If you’re elected, will you lend your support?
- How will your government support small-business people, like REALTORS®, to ensure their businesses thrive? How do you feel about lowering tax rate for small businesses?
- Canada’s infrastructure is important – it is the backbone of the communities in which we live and work. If you are elected, what does your party propose to do to ensure our infrastructure meets our needs today and the needs of our kids in the future?
- What are your thoughts on urban development, and how will your government support cities’ growth?
- What is your party’s position on increasing the availability of environmentally friendly transportation alternatives (such as High Occupancy Vehicle lanes,
public transit, cycling infrastructure)?
- What are your thoughts on public transit, and how will your government help cities move people more efficiently?
Sep 9, 2015 | RAHB News |
The REALTOR® Action Network
(RAN) is the REALTOR® community’s one-stop shop for everything and anything political.
The federal election is an excellent opportunity for all REALTORS® to get involved in the political process. Not only does your individual participation strengthen Canada’s democracy, it has tangible benefits for your business and community.
How you can do it
- Download the Election Toolkit 2015 to learn about the political landscape and how to get involved.
- Volunteer and participate in election events hosted by your Board, Association or other local associations, organizations or community groups.
- Ask candidates questions at events or when they come to your door.
- Check out the ‘”Issues” tab on RAN to learn more about each party, their leader and how their platform impacts the real estate industry.
- Follow iPolitics, a free subscription for RAN members on the ‘News‘ tab.
- Fill in an Election 2015 PAC Reporton the ‘Surveys‘ tab any time you meet with a candidate or attend an election event.
The information you provide helps us know their background, interests and priorities so we can more easily interact, build rapport and position our issues. CREA will be updating RAN as the election progresses so check in frequently!
Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
We are happy to report that the City of Hamilton’s Audit, Finance and Administration Committee defeated a proposed motion for the City to study a municipal land transfer tax (MLTT). This is a big win for Hamilton REALTORS® and in the ongoing fight to stop the spread of the MLTT.
The vote was overwhelmingly opposed by five to one. The fact the motion was defeated means the issue was not referred to the broader city council. In short, it means that even if the province gives municipalities the ability to levy an MLTT, it is unlikely Hamilton would implement the tax in the near future.
Kudos to President Donna Bacher, Ettore Cardarelli, Chair of the OREA Government Relations Committee, and Matthew Thornton, OREA’s Director of Government Relations on delivering an excellent presentation to the committee. There were a number of RAHB Directors and Government Relations Committee members who attended the committee meeting and added support to the delegation.
While this is a significant victory for OREA and Hamilton REALTORS®, we are not out of the woods yet on the MLTT. The province continues to review the Municipal Act and is signaling that it may give municipalities new revenue tools. Both RAHB and OREA will be submitting comments to the Province as part of the review.
Jul 7, 2015 | Member Services |
On June 22, Hamilton Councillor A. Johnson filed a notice of motion regarding a Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT). The motion, if passed on July 8, would instruct City staff to investigate the pros and cons of asking the Province for special taxation powers.
Come out to City Hall on July 8 at 9:30 a.m. to show your opposition to this tax.
According to the report Potential Economic Implications of the Municipal Land Transfer Tax in the Selected Ontario Municipalities conducted by Altus Group Economic Consulting, the economic impacts of an MLTT in Hamilton alone are predicted as follows:
- Loss of $342 million in economic activity
- Loss of 2,240 jobs
- Loss of $116 million in wages and salaries
For more information, visit http://donttaxmydream.ca/.
