Forum for Growth 2016 A Huge Success

OTTAWA — A key goal for CHBA’s Forum for Growth 2016 was to bring new MPs and government leaders up to speed on the housing issues that affect Canada, their constituents, and of course the role the federal government can play in addressing these issues.
With a new government in place, and with nearly two-thirds of all MPs being new to the job, it was an ideal opportunity to begin building relationships and providing MPs with solid information about the residential construction industry and our place in Canada’s economy and the lives of Canadians.
Members fanned out across Parliament Hill for 61 meetings with Members of Parliament from across the country - the highest number of MP meetings ever for the Forum, and one of the largest “Hill Day” events of its kind.
The event was capped off with a packed reception that saw over 140 Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MPs and government officials attend, and featured an address to members from the Hon. Jean- Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. Duclos is the Minister responsible for CMHC.
CHBA provided Parliamentarians with key facts about housing in Canada. 70% of Canadians are homeowners, and that our homes represent some $4 trillion in assets, offset by just $1 trillion in outstanding mortgages. MPs were also provided details on the economic role our industry plays across Canada ($125 billion in investment value), and as the largest employer (900,000+ jobs) as well as specific data on our industry’s jobs and economic impact in their home communities.