Dec. 29, 2005:  Making housing an election issue by Jim Adair, Reality Times

Class action suit launched against CMHC re BC's leaky condo crisis - Tri City News, Dec. 9, 2005

Federal Government accused of "cover up" in British Columbia's leaky condo crisis, National Post, Sept. 29, 2005

Building envelope problems not limited to British Columbia, The Trowel, Aug./Sept. 2005

Mould attacks! Phoenix News Times, Oct. 13, 2005

A few ideas for the minister - Jan. 1, 2005. - Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Consumers need more protection Force builders to live up to promises
At a recent press conference in Toronto, Ontario Consumer Minister Jim Watson revealed that he is a regular reader of Bob Aaron's column. In case he is looking for some items to place on his agenda for the new year, here is Bob's personal list of suggestions for 2005:

Beware the U.S. housing bubble - January 1, 2005
Globe & Mail - Don Vialoux
According to Don Vialoux, a market analyst, given how highly leveraged U.S. consumers are financially, "anything that reduces the value of their real estate assets will have a dramatic effect on their spending habits and the U.S. economy" - this probably applies to Canadians and Canada as well.

Dream Home - Jan. 05 - Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Supreme Court of Canada ends 12 year dispute: Home builders are responsible for construction defects not only to the first buyer, but to subsequent buyers as well.

Basement suites must meet requirements - Jan. 29, 2005 - Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
There are health, fire and building code standards, Thousands fail to comply with regulations.

Feb. 1, 2005 - CPBH appears on television with Catherine Clark on Talk Ottawa
On Feb. 1, 2005, Catherine Clark of Rogers TV “Talk Ottawa” invited Karen Somerville, President of Canadians for Properly Built Homes (CPBH) , and two members of the CPBH Advisory Council, Don Buchan, President of Buchan, Lawton, Parent Ltd. Consulting Engineers, and Paul Wilson, President of Home Inspectors to appear on her live hour-long television program. Chris Arnold of Mann and Partners, LLP, joined the program by telephone. Key topics included:

• the need for better consumer awareness and protection in relation to purchasing a newly built home, and the lack of an effective consumer “safety net”;
• that while there are many good builders, there are serious issues being experienced in the new home industry resulting in a wide variety of quality being found in new homes;
• the lack of information available to the public about specific builder performance;
• issues with the City of Ottawa's inspection regime; and
• the lack of professional requirements to be a builder or a home inspector.

Callers telephoned the show to share problems that they have had with their new home, and to ask questions of the guests. Feedback from the program was very positive, and Ms. Clark indicated that she may invite these guests to reappear on her program for a follow-up at a later date.

Environmental Hypersensitivity Haunts Some Canadians
Environmentally-hypersensitive individuals need homes that will not make them sick. PJ Wade explains that this surprisingly common affliction may be counteracted by appropriate construction design and management skills -- and lots of money. Realty Times, March 15, 2005.

Issues to Consider Prior to Signing a Purchase Agreement.
In addition to the good points raised in this article, Canadians for Properly Built Homes encourages readers to ensure there is also a clause in the Purchase Agreement that states a Final Occupancy Permit must be in place prior to taking possession Bob Aaron, Toronto Star, Apr. 2, 2005.

Include floor plan in offer to avoid surprises...
Toronto Star Reporter Bob Aaron discusses how to avoid getting a different home than you bargained for. Without site plans in your agreement, you may be at risk.

Toxic mould in homes becoming a hot issue, Bob Aaron, Toronto Star, June 25, 2005

CTV's W-Five - Zonolite in Canadian Homes - A Silent Killer - April 18, 2005

Occupancy Permit issue - buyers told it is illegal to occupy home without it. Bob Aaron, Toronto Star, May 28, 2005


Boosting builders' public image - Focus groups told the Canadian Home Builder's Association that poor customer service tops a list of complaints, Jim Adair, Canadian Homes and Cottages, Spring, 2005

Manitoba First Nation Sues Ottawa over Mouldy Homes
WebPosted Tue Nov 16 19:16:18 2004
WINNIPEG---The Dakota Plains First Nation of southern Manitoba is suing the federal government in a claim that states every home and building on its reserve is contaminated with toxic mould.
The lawsuit cites chronic health problems with the possibility of fatal consequences for children and the elderly.

Chief Orville Smoke says a doctor has ordered two families to leave. "I think the lawsuit will bring attention to something that has been ongoing," said Chief Smoke. The band says Ottawa has known about the contamination for years but has done nothing to address the problem.Smoke is seeking compensation or new construction.  Copyright (C) 2004 CBC. All rights reserved.

Readers weigh in on disclosure statements - Oct. 30, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Hot topic in the Toronto real estate market .There are strong views both ways on SPIS forms

High-tech buildings use sunlight, sea water to save energy - October 25, 2004
Associated Press - Ellen Simon
Buildings are getting smarter - and the next generation of building materials is expected to do even more.

Staying silent in home sale may equal fraud - October 16, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Court rules couple lied on PCS form. Leaking windows should be reported.
The traditional wisdom is that the doctrine of caveat emptor (buyer beware) is alive and well in Canada, as long as there is no fraud, mistake or misrepresentation.

Sandra Bullock Awarded $7 Mln in Texas Home Dispute - takes on builder and wins in court:
 a victory for homeowners!
Grassroots Groups Claim Bullock Victory As Their Own   -  October 22, 2004
Realty Times - Broderick Perkins
Grassroots consumer advocacy groups say a movie star's real life courtroom drama is a symbolic victory for all homeowners who've suffered construction defects -- and the movie star appears to agree.
(see the original article August 24, 2004 below)

Builders must fulfill their promises- October 2, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Slope unsuitable for chosen model. Court awards cost of retaining wall

Beefed Up Protection - Oct 2, 2004
Warranty coverage in Ontario rises to $150,000
Ottawa Citizen - Sheila Brady
Protection against faulty workmanship in Ontario's housing industry just got a lot better with a 50-percent increase in warranty coverage to a maximum of $150,000.

Wrong brick colour used for couple's dream home - August 28, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
What happens when a builder constructs your dream home, but uses the wrong colour brick?

Bullock in court over dream home - August 24, 2004
The Daily Telegraph via the Ottawa Citizen -Marcus Warren
Actress claims builder bilked her out of millions in seven-year house dispute. Seems it doesn't matter how much you pay for a home.
AUSTIN, Texas - Sandra Bullock achieved yesterday what countless homeowners dream of but few carry off: she confronted her builder in court in a rancorous dispute over work on her house.

Even amateur builders can be liable - Aug. 14, 2004. 01:00 AM - Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Ontario's highest court has ruled that anyone who builds a home that is dangerous or unsafe — whether that person is a professional or amateur builder — is liable to subsequent owners of the house, whether or not they had a contract with the builder. 

Building permits' value soared in June - Broadcast News - August 9, 2004
OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada is calling it "blistering.''
The agency says the value of building permits issued in June surged more than 27 per cent to $5.3 billion. That set a new monthly record, breaching the $5 billion threshold for the first time.
StatsCan says municipalities issued a record $3.4 billion in housing permits in June, touched off by a renewed demand for apartments, condominiums, town homes and other multifamily dwellings.
On the nonresidential side, nearly $2 billion in building projects were approved, up nearly 33 per cent from May. It's a strong indication that construction on commercial buildings is also about to expand.
With half of the year accounted for, municipalities have issued a total of $27.1 billion in building permits so far, up 9.4 per cent from the same period in 2003.

Housing minister owns shares in builder - Sunday, August 08, 2004
Ottawa Citizen - Glen McGregor
Home-building firm pitching its technology for low-income units. New Liberal Housing Minister Joe Fontana owns shares in a company that wants Canadian governments to use its home-building technology for low-income housing projects

Nursing your Health - August 7, 2004
Ottawa Citizen - Charles Enman
Moulds, moisture, dust mites and poor air quality can make some owners sick. "The problems stem from many sources -- home building materials, poor ventilation, even the products used to keep the house clean."

Buyers back out after plan altered   - July 24, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Builder changed construction agreement Cathedral ceiling replaced with flat version
Two home buyers are canceling their purchase after the builder made a fundamental change to their construction agreement — and they have the weight of Ontario's highest court behind them.

House killing her, woman says - July 12, 2004
Toronto Star - Robert Cribb
Government to evict Pickering woman  - 'They just want me to go away and die'
The house where Heather Jack lives has slowly poisoned her, she says.

Winds of change at Warranty Board - July 10, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Consumer minister to appoint four OHBA no longer has complete control of board
For the first time in the history of Ontario's home warranty program, Watson said, the Ontario Home Builders' Association will not have complete control over the composition of the board of the Tarion Warranty Corp. (formerly the Ontario New Home Warranty Program).

Canadian Advocacy Groups Form To Help New Home Buyers
by Jim Adair - July 1, 2004
After moving out of her new home because she says it makes her sick, an Ottawa woman has launched a consumer advocacy group for new home buyers and consumers who are renovating their houses.

Builders Push Housing Issues In Canadian Election - June 17, 2004
Realty Times - Jim Adair
As the Canadian federal election winds down to voting day, only a few issues relating to housing have commanded much attention. Early in the campaign, New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton made headlines by stating Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin is responsible for the deaths of homeless people because of his government's lack of action on housing issues. But his remarks sparked more discussion about Layton's campaign style than the issue of housing.

Warranty will cover some mould damage - May 15, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
Tarion Warranty Corp. states that some mould issues are covered under their program while home improvements and contents are not. Homeowners must ensure that they adequately ventilate their homes.

Woman presses for better building code - March 4, 2004
CBC Ottawa - Cory O'Kelly & Susan Burgess
An Ottawa woman who blames mould in her new home for making her sick is starting a lobby group to push the government for improved building standards.

Couple takes homebuilder to court - March 3, 2004
CBC Ottawa - Cory O'Kelly & Susan Burgess
An Ottawa couple is suing a local builder for $2 million over mould in their new home, but they face a long wait for their day in court.

ONHWP has obligation to publish claims on Web site - February 21, 2004
Toronto Star - Bob Aaron
A Superior Court judge in Toronto has ruled that the Ontario New Home Warranty Program (ONHWP) has a right to publish notice of a warranty claim payment on its Web site, even where the builder disputes responsibility for the construction defect.

 Consumer Reports' 'Housewrecked' Cheered, Booed - January 2, 2004
Realty Times - Broderick Perkins
A Consumer Reports' new home defects study is getting the expected reaction from consumer advocates who say such a report is long over due and from the home building industry which chides the magazine for "preconceived notions" and a "deeply flawed thesis."

Has the New Home Situation Improved?. CBC, March, 2002.