Residential Home Inspections (April 13)
Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government’s handling of the residential construction file has been less than co-ordinated and effective.
On closer analysis it reveals a deeply fragmented system where responsibilities are scattered among Service Alberta, Municipal Affairs, and individual municipalities. To the Minister of Service Alberta: will she admit that bringing the various elements of the residential construction file under the purview of one ministry would result in a better co-ordinated and more effective system for homeowners?
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the responsibilities Service Alberta has, we are responsible for the home inspections for resale properties, and that’s something that is under the Fair Trading Act. With respect to the other issue it is indeed under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. At the same time we’re doing excellent work. We have great consultation with respect to regulating the home inspection industry. Things are moving in the right direction.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Ms Pastoor: Thank you. Further to that, are building inspection reports for residential properties available to homeowners, and if so, are they required to use FOIP to obtain that information?
Mrs. Klimchuk: Mr. Speaker, with respect to home inspections that are done by home inspectors across Alberta currently, it is between the vendor and the individual who is asking for the home inspection. They have access to that report, and that would be the private information between the home inspector and the purchaser.
Ms Pastoor: What action has the minister taken to protect fru-strated homeowners faced with this bureaucratic triangle between the ministries? They don’t know where to go. Three different min-istries.
The Speaker: The hon. minister.
Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, with respect to home inspections on resale properties that’s the difference with Service Alberta. New homes are with respect to Municipal Affairs. At the end of the day, under the Fair Trading Act there is protection for consumers for this, but we are looking at regulating that industry, and we are working very closely with all the stake-holders.
Alberta Hansard, April 13, 2011