President’s message Waterloo Region continues to be a community where people want to live. “The region is the 10th most populous Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Canada, with 583,500 residents in 2016. The Province’s Growth Plan projects that Waterloo Region’s population will reach 742,000 by 2031, which makes it one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario.” (Source: regionofwaterloo.ca) As more rental housing investment comes from outside the Region, the Waterloo Regional Apartment Management Association continues to strengthen its voice as a credible leader among rental housing providers. We are very excited about WRAMA events organized over the fall. Visit www.wrama.com for more details about the events and becoming a member! Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Education Seminar Speakers: Paul Weingartner, President, ECNG Energy Group, and Stephanie Lopez, Climate Controls and Security, CHUBB Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Signature Event - Rental Housing Provision National Outlook Keynote Speaker: John Dickie, President, Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations The importance of understanding the issues and being informed about the federal policy impact on rental housing provision cannot be overstated with a federal election scheduled for October 21, 2019. Tax implications, national housing funds, and vision to address housing issues across Canada impact the way in which rental housing business is done – so be sure to vote! WRAMA continues to engage in dialogue with local rental housing associations, having met with leaders from North Bay (Near North Landlord Association), Sudbury (Greater Sudbury Landlord Association), and Peterborough (Peterborough Landlords Association) in August 2019. Common themes ranged from feelings of gratitude to the provincial government for listening to rental
housing providers and taking action on items including rent control and development holdups, to frustration with the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board and adjudication hearing dates set months after initiating notices. Subjective and inconsistent rulings by adjudicators and huge costs to property owners who are left with non-payment of rent and damage to units has left small rental housing providers with deep feelings of helplessness. - Andrew Macallum, President
WRAMA Expert Panel Event (l-r): Kristin McCutcheon, FirstOnSite; Gail KukorLang, Cohen Highley; Brian Bourke, AM 570 Kitchener Today; James Craig, CBRE; Tara Brouwer-Sutton, Domus; Andrew Macallum, WRAMA
WRAMA September meeting WRAMA had a great crowd for its meeting on September 11, 2019, as four experienced speakers joined us to discuss a number of highly relevant topics, including the effects of cannabis legislation one year later, provincial government housing initiatives, higher quality student housing, damages to rental units, rental building purchases and sales, dealing with the LTB, and more. As WRAMA’s mission is to actively and positively develop and sustain the integrity of its members’ business – the provision of private residential rental accommodation – in the Golden Triangle, this essential presentation of information will help rental housing providers to plan for and address the many challenges that will inevitably surface.
Cannabis legislation - one year later By the time the federal election rolls around, it will have been about one year since recreational
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