Happier at home

A Calgary Herald editorial:

We’re not surprised that the provincial government has announced plans to make warranties mandatory on all new homes, but we are disappointed the government has taken so long to carry through on repeated promises to protect Albertans.

Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths says he’ll table legislation during the fall sitting of the legislature, slated to begin Oct. 23, that will make coverage mandatory, as it is in other provinces such as B.C., Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Tories have been talking about passing such a law for years, most recently in July 2011, when his predecessor, Hector Goudreau, dusted off a three-year-old report that recommended such measures.

About 80 per cent of new homes sold in Alberta have warranties, so the legislation isn’t a game-changer; it will simply ensure everyone who buys a new home enjoys a measure of peace of mind. Most importantly, perhaps, the statute of limitations on building code offences will increase to three years from six months — overdue acknowledgment that problems often don’t become apparent until long after the owner moves in. The fines for building code infractions will also wisely rise steeply.

The initiatives should be a priority for the Tories when they get back to work. Griffiths will have to ensure the cost of a mandatory warranty doesn’t put home ownership out of the reach of more Albertans — something he has already promised to do.