/R E P E A T -- MEDIA INVITATION - Building Industry Releases Report: Industry calls for changes to Ontario Building Code that will result in safe, affordable homes for GTA residents/

TORONTO, May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Representatives from the building and development industry are releasing an extensive report calling for a change to the Ontario Building Code.

The changes, endorsed by City of Toronto's Chief Building Official and Chief Planner and similar to those made in British Columbia, will allow woodframe construction of buildings up to six storeys, resulting in the creation of more safe and affordable homes for residents across the GTA.

Brief remarks by industry leaders will be followed by interview and photo opportunities.

When:	Wednesday, May 22, 2013
	10:30 a.m.
Where:	589 King Street East, Toronto
	Outside Toronto Community Housing's Waterfront Toronto development
	Parking and podium will be on St. Lawrence Street (closed for construction)
Who:	Bryan Tuckey, President and CEO, Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD)
	Leith Moore, President, Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) and Vice President, Development, Sorbara Development Corporation
	Marianne Berube, Executive Director, Ontario Wood Works, Canadian Wood Council
	Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner, City of Toronto
	Ann Borooah, Chief Building Official, City of Toronto
Guests:	Richard Lyall, President, Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)
	Paul Bedford, former Chief Planner, City of Toronto
	Steve Upton, Chair, BILD and Vice President, Development, Tridel
	Steven Street, Technical Director, Ontario Wood Works, Canadian Wood Council
	Joe Vaccaro, Chief Operating Officer, Ontario Home Builders' Association
	Glenn Miller, Vice President (Acting CEO), Canadian Urban Institute
	Jamie Lim, President and CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association
	Greg Spearn, Chief Development Officer, and Leslie Gash, Director, Toronto Community Housing

About BILD

With more than 1,400 members, BILD, formed through the merger of the Greater Toronto Home Builders' Association and Urban Development Institute/Ontario, is the voice of the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area.  BILD is proudly affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders' Associations.

About OHBA

The Ontario Home Builders' Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario representing 4,000 member companies organized into 30 local associations across the province. The industry contributes over $42 billion dollars to Ontario's economy, employing more than 325,000 people across the province.

About RESCON

RESCON is a builders' organization dedicated to removing barriers to new construction and eliminating unnecessary costs. It coordinates a council of trade contractor associations to address issues of common concern. RESCON represents a melding of the old with the new. It is a streamlining of the ongoing efforts of three groups active in promoting builder interests for over thirty years: the Metropolitan Toronto Apartment Builders Association (MTABA), the Toronto Residential Construction Labour Bureau (TRCLB) and the Durham Residential Construction Labour Bureau (DRCLB). Along with new builder members, RESCON brings a more powerful and concerted builder voice to the many pressing issues which affect the bottom line.

About Canadian Wood Council

The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is the national association representing manufacturers of Canadian wood products used in construction - enabling the selling of Canadian wood products through programs and services focused on creating market access and demand. Wood WORKS! Ontario is a national industry-led initiative of the Canadian Wood Council, with a goal to support innovation and provide leadership on the use of wood and wood products.

SOURCE: Building Industry and Land Development Association

To obtain media registration for this event, please contact Amy Lazar at 416-391-3452 or 416-543-3903 or [email protected] or Andrei Zaretski at 416-391-3450 or 416-843-4898 or [email protected].