Alberta Legislative Question Period

I was digging on the Alberta Legislature website to find contacts in the Alberta Government to email about the Alberta Building Code. I came across a debate in the Legislature from April 19, 2004.

In a question by Hon. Bill Bonner, MLA Edmonton-Glengarry, Liberal Municipal Affairs Critic: "Mr. Speaker, Albertans are concerned that stucco wall systems are not being constructed in accordance with the building code, placing immediate and long-term health and safety risks on Alberta homeowners. To the Minister of Municipal Affairs: given that the stucco and home-building industries freely confess that they have long been ignoring the minimum stucco wall thickness of 19 millimetres laid out in the Alberta building code, what is this ministry going to do to enforce compliance?"

The Reponse by Hon. Minister Guy Boutilier: "I’m not aware of the particular situation, but I am aware of this: for those of us in this Assembly that have stucco homes, we want to make sure that our homes are at the highest standard. That is something that the Alberta safety code does certainly assure Albertans, and we continue to work towards that. So in answer to the hon. member’s question, we are going to ensure that the safest and the best protection for Albertans is always there regarding the Alberta safety code."

In the two years that have passed since this was brought up the Alberta Government has promptly done - nothing!

So, don't forget to email the Minister of Municipal Affairs - Hon. Rob Renner, because I don't want him to be caught "unaware" that New Home Builders in Alberta are not building to the Building Code. While you're at it, CC the email to Hon. Kevin Taft since he is the Opposition Critic for Municipal Affairs (and Liberal Leader), and probably won't mind pointing out any legislative shortcomings to the Minister!