🏠 Laying down the law

Good morning! ❄️ A mild winter isn’t just a welcome sign for sun lovers. It’s also a boon for construction. Builders in Alberta say the mellow weather has allowed them to get a jump start on the next construction season. 

⏰ Today’s read: 4 ½ minutes

MARKETS

*Stock data as of last market close; currency, oil and crypto data as of 10:45PM ET January 8th, 2024.

Economy:  This weekend, the number of transits through the Suez Canal fell to the lowest since the waterway was blocked by the Ever Given container ship in 2021. The issue stems from Houti militants in Yemen who have been firing drones and missiles at ships passing by the country’s waters, disrupting global trade. Experts say roughly 10 million containers have been impacted by the attacks and resulting diversions.

THE BIG STORY

B.C. lays down the law for housing

There has been a whirlwind of activity in B.C. when it comes to speeding up home construction. The province made several historic announcements around zoning, short-term rentals, transit-oriented development, tall mass timber and more. 

SiteNews caught up with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon this week to discuss the changes. Here’s how he summed things up:

“These changes are a reflection of the basic concept that we can’t do the same thing and expect different results. We know the system needs reform and we started engaging in that better path back in 2018.”

What’s been passed:

Bill-35: Designed to discourage and crack down on short-term rental investments for sites like Airbnb and VRBO.  

Bill 44: Requires municipalities to approve up to six units on single-family lots. It eliminates the need for public hearings on multi-unit projects, which often add months or even years to the process. 

Bill 46: Developed to address concerns from municipalities that new legislation could jeopardize millions in community amenity contributions. Instead of negotiating these charges, these are agreed to upfront, which officials say creates more transparency and certainty 

Bill 47: Municipalities must allow more density around transit, specifically high-rises between eight and 20 storeys. 

What’s in the works:

Mass timber: The province is proposing changes to the building code that would allow mass timber structures up to 18 storeys. The current limit is 12. 

Apartment stairs: Officials are considering allowing single-egress stairs in apartment buildings which they say could unlock more flexible design options for smaller lots. 

Prompt payment: Not a project of the Ministry of Housing, but the attorney general says his office is investigating potentially implementing prompt payment in B.C. 

Summing it up: It’s fair to say that B.C. has been taking bold action. However, it hasn’t been without criticism. Some argue that changes are being rushed through with limited debate about the impact. But with 16% of renters in the province spending more than 50% of their income on rent and the average Metro Vancouver home price at $1.17 million, bold action needs to be taken.      

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

🏢 The first project to be completed under Calgary’s office conversion program is nearing completion. The Cornerstone has transformed the old SNC-Lavalin building at 909 5th Ave. S.W. into more than 100 apartments, with retail on the first floor. Officials say as these projects cross the finish line, they could provide the city with an economic boost.  

🚧 Crews working a water service line at Toronto’s Withrow Avenue unearthed human remains that anthropologists say are from an ancient Indigenous burial ground that has been known about since 1886. Work has been halted as the remains and the site are investigated. 

🚘 A Japanese media outlet is reporting that Honda is considering investing nearly $14 billion in an EV plant in Ontario. Nikkei news group stated that the automaker is considering several sites for the factory and a decision could be made by the end of the year. Honda and government officials would not confirm these reports. 

⚡ Veto powers granted to Ontario municipalities are slowing the province’s efforts to build more power capacity, reports show. Producers must get municipal approval in writing, a requirement unique to Canada. Reports show this hurdle has halted a number of projects.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Digitally enabled

Toronto Metropolitan University is building the world’s first fully digitally-enabled building, meaning that all building systems and services - heating & cooling, ventilation, lighting, building envelope, security, IT, and communications - are integrated so that they can be co-optimized.. The facility will work to advance smart and sustainable building research, supporting the Network of Living Campuses (NLC), a joint initiative of faculty members at eight universities across Canada. It was designed by WZMH Architects with Element5 and Stephenson Engineering. It features prefabrication, mass timber, an “Intelligent structure Panel” system and other advanced construction elements.

PROJECT UPDATES

North Vancouver’s Shipyards begins three-month reno

Clean energy project to power gold mine in B.C.

Calgary police investigate suspicious construction fire

Manitoba commits $12M to improve deadly intersection

Officials want offshore wind centre project to take flight

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

LIST: 🏗️ 9 Major projects planned for Metro Vancouver 

READ: 🚦 Manitoba vows to spend $12M improving deadly intersection 

PHOTOS: 👷🏽‍♀️ This is how many people it took to build a high rise

VIDEO: ❄️ How ancient Iran cooled buildings without electricity

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!