Erik Ens

To ask federal government to continue to apply pressure to provinces and municipalities to reduce development taxes and work with provinces and municipalities to mandate that alternatives to development taxes be found and used instead. The role of Build Canada Homes and the impact upon housing needs in Canada and to ensure that market-rate housing policies are still pursued by the government in addition to the mandate of Build Canada Homes. Implement CMHC Construction Financing, including low-interest financing for market-rate housing for ownership from the government, plus a new construction loan insurance program. Discuss implications for the Canadian home construction sector surrounding proposed 25% tariffs from the United States. Work with provinces to have the EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) label on all houses at the time of resale and expand ERS (and its software tools updated) and be promoted so that ERS becomes the backbone of all renovation incentives. Working with the home construction industry to support innovation and capital investment to increase industry productivity both for in-site built approaches and factory-built solutions. Update the federal immigration system to proactively attract much-needed skilled workers in residential construction. Update and index the thresholds for the GST New Housing Rebate. Support voluntary programming initiatives like ENERGY STAR, R?2000 and CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program enable homeowners to choose higher levels of performance on a voluntary basis, moving the market forward without damaging affordability in entry?level homes. Support Transit-Oriented Development, Complete Communities and the “Missing Middle” of Housing - To ensure that Canadians get maximum benefit from federal infrastructure investments, the Government needs to support increased supply in the “missing middle” – whether “gentle intensification” via secondary suites, conversion of larger units or medium-density low-rise mixed-income housing, in walkable communities with ready access to public transit. Support local and provincial submissions to the Red Tape Reduction Commission to address issues associated with the Contract Payment Reporting System operated by the Canada Revenue Agency Support for housing research, analysis and demonstration projects on topics of priority interest to the residential construction industry, e.g., on housing market trends Seek Federal research on improved environmental guidelines for residential communities to determine more specifically their cost and technological implications for practitioners in the residential cosntruction and development industries Rigorously enforce provisions of the Income Tax Act and Excise Tax Act in relation to combating the underground "cash economy". Revise the tax regime to avoid GST being applied to new “purposebuilt” rental developments. This increases rents for tenants and renders the business model for investing in purpose-built rentals less attractive, hence discouraging the construction of affordable rental properties. Revise tax rules for accessory suites, such as granny flats and laneway housing, as the current tax system, which incorporates land value rather than just construction costs, and is discouraging this important form of infill housing that is favoured by more and more municipalities. These innovative infill projects increase the number of affordable homes in established neighbourhoods. Replacement of the Contract Payment Reporting System with an alternative that requires all participants in the construction industry to register for a Business Number with the CRA, and that pursues those engaging in cash-only transactions much more aggressively Reintroduce 30-year amortization periods for insured residential mortgages for new construction. Promote a federal YIMBY (yes in my backyard) campaign. New developments (especially densification and mixed income housing) are often met with local public opposition even when aligned with

Discuss the importance of closing the loophole in the Anti-scab legislation, where employers are allowed to employ outside managers to do union work while on strike Discuss the changes and their shortfalls to EI in the 2026 spring economic update Discuss the ongoing challenges (e.g., living and working conditions, calls to action) Indigenous peoples are still facing in the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Report Discuss the implementation of the Sustainable Jobs Action Plan, emphasizing the need for action on maintaining and expanding jobs in forestry, steel, building trades, broader manufacturing and critical minerals Discussed a draft of the Sustainable Jobs Action Plan; specifically, we representing labour spoke to concerns about the content of the report, pushed for improvements to the plan to ensure that it would actually protect and create manufacturing jobs, education and resources, for clarity on draft timelines and for continued communications with labour on the draft. Discuss the upcoming CUSMA review and highlight labour's concerns, such as the impact of Section 232 Tariffs on jobs and investments, the necessity of implementing policies and trade measures to bolster the steel sector, and the importance of finding a long-term solution to the softwood lumber crisis. Seeking an update about the proposed Anglo-Teck merger and its potential impacts on the union Advocate for any support money to be tied to expansion into new product lines (rail, structural steel) Discussion of the importance of ensuring that Algoma adheres to its promises connected to various financial supports Provide a technical briefing on the status of DCOI to push for the widespread approval and use of the preservative product across Canada, as it is beneficial to and essential in the Canadian forestry industry Discuss international trade and public procurement policies concerning Canadian steel and industry Discuss the detrimental impact of offshoring jobs in the telecommunications sector. Discuss updates on negotiations with the Trump administration related to steel, aluminum and energy sectors. Ensure that money promised to the forestry sector is deployed to prevent mill closures, as the most recent increase in tariffs puts the sector at immediate threat. Discuss worker support programs in the wake of U.S. tariffs Update on the impact of tariffs on the whole Canadian economic situation Discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian aluminum sector Discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian steel sector Discuss policies for aluminum sector supports amidst U.S. tariffs increases Discuss policies for steel sector supports amidst U.S. tariffs increases Engaging in conversation with public officer concerning impacts of tariffs and bettering communication between cross-border businesses. Discuss countermeasures to the U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods Strengthen rights to citizenship for groups such as temporary foreign workers. Provide effective training for federal law enforcement to uphold 2004 Criminal Code amendments (Westray Law). Ensure the right for unions to launch trade complaints to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal; ensure public benefits for workers (e.g. EI, CPP, etc.) Ensure that government procurement rules focus on Canadian materials – e.g. wood; steel. Ensure pension security for federally-regulated workers. Ensure justice and human rights for workers and citizens impacted by Canadian extractive companies operating abroad. Enact Pharmacare and ensure that it is publicly funded and publicly administered for all Canadians. Curtail privatization of public services, such as health care. Change bankruptcy laws to protect workers’ pensions and benefits.