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EXPO 2012 Highlights
Canadian attendance was up at the 2012 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue EXPO in Atlanta. Attendees increased by 23% over 2011 while the number of Canadian companies at the show increased by 28%. Education Badges continue to decline with a decrease of 2%.
Focus Canada
HPBA Canada Annual General Meeting co-hosted by
APC (Association des Professionnels du Chauffage)
HPBA Canada and APC hosted a record 110 participants at Focus Canada on Thursday morning from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. The meeting began with breakfast followed by the HPBA Canada Annual General Meeting and continued with presentations from APC and HPBAC Chapters. All visual presentations and handouts were provided in English and French. HPBA Canada would like to thank APC for co-hosting the meeting and members from across Canada who attended. |
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Tailgate
The Tailgate was a great success, drawing crowds to the Outdoor Burn Area for mixing and mingling, enjoying food and beverages and watching the exciting Big Green Egg Celebrity Cook-off. Five local celebrity chefs competed in the Cook-off using secret ingredients local Sweetwater Beer and jalapeno peppers. Executive Chef Scott Serpas took home the honours, along with a commemorative trophy and a Big Green Egg.
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Honky Tonk Party
The industry party on Friday night was well attended and everyone got into the Honky Tonk spirit. The Lo Cash Cowboys performed and kept the crowd on the dance floor.
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Government Affairs Update
Government Affairs, Regulations, Legislation and Standards
This month Tony Gottschalk attended the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) national meeting in Quebec. Tony sits on the National Technical Research committee of the CHBA as well as its Codes and Standards sub-committee. This is an excellent forum for discussion and networking, not only with homebuilders themselves, but particularly with the representatives of the numerous government organizations that regulate both industries. HBPA Canada's Government Affairs Committee has been particularly active recently in objecting to several proposals contained within the latest two national building codes. The meeting in Quebec gave Tony an opportunity to talk to some of the code writers involved face-to-face.
The US HPBA Government Affairs Committee has agreed to fund half of the $6500 which HPBA Canada has committed to the P.4 Standard review process. We expect to hear news shortly of the timetable for the latest revision cycle of this most important standard.
Over the next few weeks, Tony will be attending several CSA meetings regarding energy efficiency, verification of test protocols, house depressurization and safety standards pertaining to wood-burning appliances.
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Housing Market Outlook from CMHC
CMHC has released the 2012 first quarter Housing Market Outlook.
"After an active 2011, multiple starts are expected to moderate while single starts will level off." They forecast an increase in total housing starts in 2013.
Housing Starts
National
2011 - 193,950
2012 - 190,000
2013 - 193,800
Regional
Eastern Canada - housing starts are expected to contract in the six Eastern Canadian provinces (ON, QC, NS, PE, NB, NL) in 2012 with modest growth in Ontario and Quebec in 2013.
Western Canada - All western provinces (MB, SK, AB, BC) should see growth in 2012 with Alberta showing growth of 13.2%.
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Have you renewed your HPBA Canada membership ?
If you haven't renewed your membership for 2012 this will be the last newsletter you receive from HPBA Canada. As a non-member you won't receive a Membership Kit and Annual Report and you'll pay non-member rates for local chapter events and education. Industry support is critical to the funding of our Government Affairs efforts.
If you haven't renewed, or to verify the status of your membership, please contact Erika Pollock at specialprojects@hpbacanada.org.
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Mystery Shopping
Find out what your customers experience in your store
Think you're making a good impression? For only $60 you can find out.
Many business could be much more successful with more information about what their customers and prospective customers experience in their store.
Sign up for Mystery Shopping today and learn more about your store and your employees. 2012 shops take place in Spring, Summer and Fall. Have your store shopped f
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Save the Dates
for Golf, Networking and Education this June
Western Chapter
SIPS Event in Kelowna
Friday June 22
Golf Tournament and Social
Saturday, June 23
Speaker sessions
Panel Discussion on The Future of our Industry
Mini Trade Show
Wine Tour and Dinner
Atlantic Chapter
Education, Industry Updates and Golf Tournament
Tentative Dates - June 24 & 25
Stay tuned for more details on both events... |
Changes in Federal Benefits Legislation
Have you heard about changes in federal regulation on Benefits? . View a summary document provided by HPBA Canada's health benefit Partner - Benecaid® The document includes details of changes to certain government programs that came into effect as of January 1st, 2012. These changes could impact your existing benefit arrangement. Examples of the changes include an increase to the Employment Insurance maximum from $468 to $485, and an increases in RRSP contribution levels. |
Add a link to the HPBAC website to your site. Call or email our office to receive our Member Link.
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