Lydia Houck
Policy Advisor, House of Commons·0 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Hotels Canada
6Support for the hotel industry (taxation, marketing, workforce) Advocating for $10 million in funding annually over four years for the International Convention Attraction Fund to strengthen Canadas ability to compete for high-value global events. Domestic workforce strategy, better alignment of youth employment programs with the hotel industry, connecting newcomers to hotel career Building a competitive investment climate through targeted fiscal measures to stimulate private sector investment in hotels Ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is responsive to labour market needs Access to CMHC financing for mixed use hotel/housing developments, higher Capital Cost Allowance rate for staff housing Fraudulent Hotel Bookings through temporary resident visa applications Transportation - proposed new international bilateral air routes with Canada. Consideration of airport rents at formerly owned federal airports across Canada. Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and Re:Sound Engage with the Federal Government on proposed new or amended taxation laws with respect to short-term accommodations.
Transportation - proposed new international bilateral air routes with Canada. Consideration of airport rents at formerly owned federal airports across Canada. Tourism - Canadian Tourism Commission Budget as announced in the 2010 Federal Budget. Development of the proposed Federal Tourism Strategy as announced by the Prime Minister in June 2009. Taxation and Finance - Ammendments to the Foreign Convention Tour and Incentive Program. Regulations and policies regarding fees to SOCAN and Re:Sound Immigration Canada - Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Engage with the Federal Government on proposed new or amended taxation laws with respect to short-term accommodations. Employment and Training - Support for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Criminal Code regulations pertaining to impaired driving Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Seeking changes on EI reform. Ensuring access to financial impact measures. Monitoring developments and assessing impacts on members.
Cabinovo
2Dicsuss the updates to and implications of the federal government's Housing Design Catalogue on multiplex modular producers. Discuss the barriers posed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) financing progams ("Apartment Construction Loan Program" and "MLI Select) for scalable commercial housing initiatives and communicate the changes that need to be made to unlock the potential for modular construction at scale. Discuss the federal role in communicating with municipalities the need for streamlining the municipal zoning and regulations for fourplexes as of right at scale.
Discuss the federal role in communicating with municipalities the need for streamlining the municipal zoning and regulations for fourplexes as of right at scale. Discuss the barriers posed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) financing progams ("Apartment Construction Loan Program" and "MLI Select) for scalable commercial housing initiatives and communicate the changes that need to be made to unlock the potential for modular construction at scale.
Protecting New Homes and Construction Coalition
2Impact of the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Regulations on coalition members. Impact of the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act on coalition members.
Appraisal Institute of Canada
1Over reliance on Automated Valuation Methodologies (AVMs) poses a significant risk for Canadian consumers, lenders and the financial system. The best option to minimize the lending risk for mortgage properties is to have an on-site appraisal conducted by a third-party appraiser to determine the occupancy, the condition of the property, the neighborhood characteristics, and ultimately, the existence of the property. AIC supports AVM regulation and the role of appraisers being recognized directly in federal legislation through the Bank Act. AIC is supporting OSFI Residential Mortgage Underwriting and Mortgage Insurance Practices and Procedures encouraging Federally Regulated Financial Institutions to employ sound valuation practices to determine the value of collateral used to secure and insure mortgages. Requiring FRFIs to apply proper due diligence by requiring valuation reports based on on-site, in-person inspections performed by qualified appraisers is a sound practice. It enables lenders to confirm the current valuation of the collateral when processing a mortgage loan application and provides the assurance that they are doing so with a valuation carried out in a fair and objective manner. In summary, we recommend that the Government of Canada continue to mandate, enhance, and enforce strong valuation fundamentals within FRFIs. AIC is advocating for OSFI to form a permanent, multi-sector, external stakeholder affairs advisory committee that would advise the regulator on emerging risks. With the government exploring EnerGuide Labeling of homes at the time of sale, the AIC recommends that this information, as well as other climate related risk information, be housed in a central, publicly accessible portal. As prospective homeowners and the mortgage lending industry rely, in part, on information gathered by appraisers to make their buying and lending decisions, accurate and publicly available information ensures that all parties are making informed real estate decisions. AIC Professional Appraisers adhere to strict educational and professional practice guidelines and can partner with appropriate governmental bodies and industry experts to help in the implementation process. The AIC believes a holistic approach to supply needs to be considered, where industry and municipal, provincial and federal governments all work together if there is any possibility for solving the lack of inventory and encouraging affordable housing prices. Some flood maps in Canada have not been updated for a number of years, in some cases for decades. The need for accurate flood information is essential to property purchasers, developers, lenders and to those engaged in municipal or land use planning. AIC is asking the Government of Canada to take on a coordinating role in this area. Downward pressure on appraisal fees and increasing demand for quicker turnaround times, combined with the restrictions on accessing good and reliable data, may ultimately drive professional appraisers away from completing mortgage finance work. This places a much higher risk for lenders and for Canadian consumers. Concerns over money laundering and the use of real estate assets to shield funds from scrutiny have become increasingly more strident in recent months. The AIC is asking the Government of Canada to assume a coordinating role in the development of beneficial ownership registries for real estate assets. Canadian consumers require additional education on the full range of fees associated with mortgage financing and refinancing as well as the role of various professionals involved in the transaction. A disclosure of all fees incurred as part of obtaining a loan should be a mandatory requirement for all lending institutions - federally and non-federally regulated – to ensure that Canadians understand the financial commitment involved in what is often the largest investments in their lifetime. This includes the appraisal management fee and the appraisal fee.
Canadian Association of Long Term Care
1To advocate for future budgetary funding for the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, including funding for health human resources and long-term care infrastructure support, as well as funding and other supports for COVID-19 related challenges. Connect the Canadian Association for Long Term Care with government officials to discuss opportunities to support Canada's health care system and to improve seniors care in Canada.
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
1Discussions with government officials concerning carbon emissions from fertilizer as it relates to municipalities and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Rail, Airports and Ports: Federal policies and programs with regard to access to national and international markets for trade, intra-city movement of people and goods and sustainability of small and rural communities. Municipal role in the G-7 &G-20 and trade negotiations with foreign countries surrounding tarrifs. Support for farmer-centric policies and strategies that improve resiliency in the face of extreme weather, mitigate against rising costs and inflation, support food security, improve access to new markets while partnering to share the costs of reaching Canada's climate targets; Carbon emission-reduction targets related to fertilizer Federal policies and programs with regard to improving accesses to affordable housing, reducing homelessness, increasing social infrastructure required for immigration and refugee settlement and integration support. Homelessness; Encampments; redevelopment of public lands required to support communities that support the Canadian Armed Forces and its members. Affordable housing; Housing supply; Refugee and asylum seeker settlement; Housing Accelerator Fund; Rapid Housing Initiative; Housing-enabling infrastructure; Redevelopment of public lands; Environmental and sustainable development policies and programs with regard to local climate change mitigation and adaptation; Disaster mitigation and adaptation; Capacity building for sustainable community planning; Greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions; Water management, watershed planning, wastewater, and stormwater policy; Urban forest management and stewardship; Brownfield redevelopment; National Adaptation Strategy; Greener Homes Grant; Green Building Strategy; Green Municipal Fund. Community safety and crime prevention. National/contract policing; Community-based mental health and substance use care; Opioids and harm reduction; Auto thefts; Crime prevention through social development; Community corrections; Federal and municipal roles and responsibilities regarding policing duties and funding Telecommunications and Technology: Telecommunications policies with regard to universal broadband access throughout Canadian communities, antenna tower and municipal rights-of-ways. Rural, remote and northern municipal issues: Federal policies and programs with regard to delivering infrastructure funding in rural, remote and northern communities, trade irritants effecting rural, remote and northern communities, the development and implementation of the northern strategy in the three territories and the development of a rural champion at the federal cabinet level. Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements Revenue sharing with the federal and provincial governments: Federal policies and programs with regard to the payments in lieu of taxes (PILTs) system, intergovernmental partnerships, recognition of municipal governments contributions to economic growth, the fiscal imbalance between each order of governments revenues options and their responsibilities to provide services and programs to Canadians. Municipal Growth Framework. Municipal-aboriginal relations issues: Federal policies and programs with regard to municipal-aboriginal relations, resources to meet the needs of the aboriginal population living in municipalities, municipal consultation and communication regarding land management and additions to reserve. Urban and Rural Indigenous Housing; Municipal-aboriginal relations International municipal development; Canadian foreign policy with regard to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded programs overseas in various countries Guidelines for urban transit, intra and extra urban transit systems: Infrastructure and Transportation policy with regard to the development of guidelines, policy and dedicated funding for urban, intra and extra urban transit systems; Intercommunity bus; Aerodromes and airport
Hotel Association of Canada
1Informing officials of the unique impacts on the hospitality sector; advocating for government supports to increase tourism's potential to drive economic growth and job creation in all regions of the country by engaging on topics including immigration, transportation, training, infrastructure investments, and regional supports
Interac
1Supporting the development and implementation of policies, programs, and regulatory measures aimed at preventing and combating fraud, scams, and financial crime, including measures that enhance information sharing, consumer protection, and the integrity of Canadas financial system. Supporting an open and competitive technology environment for mobile payments to maximise consumer choice and strengthen Canadas participation in the digital economy. Promoting the recognition and adoption of modern digital payments infrastructure as a foundation for Canadas economic resilience and innovation Supporting the development and adoption of secure, convenient digital verification and authentication solutions to enhance consumer protection and confidence in Canadas digital economy. Tax Regulations, with respect to a prescribed payment card corporation share Policies, rules and codes that affect the payments system and payment networks
Mortgage Professionals of Canada
1Proposition de mise en place d'une table de discussion au sujet de l'habitation. Permettre la consultation de certaines données financières (vérification de revenus) auprès de l'Agence du Revenu du Canada. Permettre l'éligibilité à l'assurance-hypothécaire pour un terme de 30 ans et non un maximum de 25 ans.
Boudeweel Public Affairs
Options for Homes
1That the Handbook recognize non-profit originated share equity mortgages as equivalent of "owner's equity" in the calculation of first mortgage financing exemption from the requirement for Mortgage Insurance. Under the current regulations, non-profits cannot provide down-payment loans as it is no longer recognized as equity, therefore denying access to all federally regulated mortgage providers. Seeking explicit recognition in the Handbook that federally regulated mortgage providers can provide first mortgages in conjunction with non-profit share equity mortgages.