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The Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) is a
provincial Crown corporation formed as a response to many of the recommendations from the
original Barrett Commission report on the quality of
condominium construction in British Columbia. The report prompted the development of the Homeowner
Protection Act which passed on July 28, 1998 for the main purposes of
strengthening consumer protection for buyers of new homes and improving the quality of
residential construction in the province. The Act provided for the creation of the
HPO which officially opened on October 1, 1998.
The HPO is responsible for:
The Barrett
Commission
In April 1998 a commission of inquiry into the quality
of residential construction, led by former Premier Dave Barrett, was established. The
Barrett Report brought forward specific recommendations for action by all three levels of
government, the building industry and various professions to strengthen consumer
protection and restore confidence in the residential construction industry.
The Commission was re-appointed in August 1999 to
inquire into the quality of condominium construction in British Columbia; the financial
failure of New Home Warranty of British Columbia Inc.; and the impacts on homeowners, the
industry and the economy because of this situation.
Annual Reports
Board of Directors
The HPO is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by
the Lieutenant Governor. The
composition of the HPO board helps ensure an accountable and professional residential
construction industry were consumers are also adequately protected. Members of the HPO
board of directors include:
- Ken MacLeod (Chair) – 25 years of experience with the former
B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs including six years as Deputy Minister
- Maureen Enser - Executive Director of the Urban Development
Institute
- Eric Gerrits – President of the Canadian Home Builders’
Association of BC (CHBA BC) and President of Homescape Building and Design Inc.
- Joe Redmond – Vice President of UBC Properties Trust
- Peter Schultze – Immediate Past President of CHBA BC and
President of Peter Schultz Construction Ltd.
- Don Geodbloed – Executive Vice President of Stuart Olson
Construction Ltd. representing the International Contractors and Businesses Association
(ICBA), and
- Antonio Gioventu – Executive Director and Strata Property
Advisor for the Condominium Home Owners’ Association (CHOA).
Provincial Advisory
Council on Homeowner Protection
The Homeowner Protection Act
provides for the establishment of a Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) on Homeowner
Protection which was formed in 1999. PAC was created to advise the HPO regarding
residential construction in BC, research and education initiatives, and consumer
information programs. The 14-member council includes representatives from consumer
groups, architects, engineers, builders and developers, home warranty insurance companies,
labour and local governments. The Council members represent the following
organizations:
| Architectural
Institute of B.C. |
City of Vancouver |
| B.C. Construction
Association |
Home Warranty
Insurance Company |
| Union of British
Columbia Municipalities |
Urban Development
Institute |
| Canadian Home
Builders' Association of B.C. |
Building Officials
Association of B.C. |
| Association of
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists |
Independent
Contractors and Business Association of B.C. |
| Condominium Home
Owners' Association - 2 representatives |
B.C. Federation of
Labour - 2 representatives - International Union of Painters and Allied Trades - United
Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters |
Acts/Regulations
Last Updated: August 28, 2003 |
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