The 5 Regional Retail Building Material Associations take Strategic Measures to Better Defend Their Members' Interests
 After a general meeting on April 14 and 15, 2016 in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, executives of the five regional material retail associations forming the Canadian Retail Building Supply Council (CRBSC) voted in favour of changes that mark a turning point towards the representation of 2,400 member merchants and of their suppliers."Founded in the mid-1980s, the umbrella established its mission without taking into account the means of achieving it," explains Council President Richard Darveau. The group has always acted as a forum in which members exchange ideas, information and practices that benefit the entire industry. The revised rationale behind the CRBSC is to represent the industry in the public place, especially at the federal government level, while proactively addressing national issues. Legal existence and resources One decision taken was to forgo the informal model and incorporate the CRBSC in accordance with the Canada not-for-profit corporations Act. Another decision pertained to resource allocation. The CRBSC’s headquarters will be based in Ottawa and will count on five regional offices: Surrey (BC), Winnipeg (MB), Mississauga (ON), Longueuil (QC) and Dieppe (NB). The budget will consist of funds specific to each founding association and the industry. The weight of home renovation on the economy and society  Regional delegates have come together to document the recent federal tax credits to stimulate renovation activity in terms of impacts on society, the economy and public finances. The goal is to objectively discuss which measures to take in the future with the ministers involved. A study will be carried out by an independent economist and tax specialist. A step towards a truly national conference With these decisions taken in Mississauga, the CRBSC and its five founding Associations give their official endorsement to the Annual Hardlines Conference so the Canadian industry will enjoy an event that is both worthy of its vitality and scale, and in line with the challenges it currently faces. Therefore, changes in image and organization of this Conference are expected starting the 22nd edition scheduled for the fall of 2017. Also on the menu: recruitment and training We also addressed personnel recruitment, the most poignant problem faced to ensure the successful development of hardware stores and renovation centres throughout Canada. A broad approach - consisting of treating personnel from a career perspective - will give member companies concrete tools to select employees. A national hiring campaign will subsequently be launched. Online training for renovation and construction project quoting will also be available starting this fall, at better conditions than similar in-class training sessions. Accordingly, the minimalist website (www.crbsc.ca) will be improved with the addition of several modules, including a press area allowing you to follow our organization’s actions. The last formal meeting between all five associations took place in Ottawa in 2012. There will now be two statutory meetings per year, in addition to two conference calls. The next meetings will take place on October 19-20 in Niagara Falls, ON; and in May 2017 in North Hatley, QC. Richard Darveau concludes: "We have just taken a big step toward implementing real resources within the CRBSC, allowing the latter to fulfill its promises and more importantly, to meet the expectations clearly set by banners, manufacturers, distributors and by hardware and home improvement store owners that make up our global membership". These are the five regional associations:
From West to East: Brad McCluskie, Thomas Foreman (BSIA); Gary Hamilton, Mark Westrum, Tom Bell (WRLA); Ron Schell, Ken Forbes, David W. Campbell (LBMAO); Richard Darveau, Nicolas Couture (AQMAT); Chris Deveaux, Denis Melanson (ABSDA). |
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