Wednesday August 11 2004
Winnipeg Free Press
By Geoff Kirbyson
GARTH Steek's post-politics holiday is over.
The former city councillor and mayoral candidate started his new job yesterday as the president of the Manitoba Home Builders Association.
He said he received a number of job offers after the late-June election, in which he placed fifth. But it was his knowledge of City Hall's processes and procedures -- something he sees as a critical issue facing the home building industry today -- plus his previous experience in business that convinced him to take the job with the MHBA.
"Knowing the issues from a political side and from the private sector side are strengths I'll bring to the table," he said in an interview yesterday.
"The key consideration for me is home builders have to be seen as a considerate and reasoned force at City Hall. The home building and renovating industry is a $1.5 billion industry in the province. It has huge ramifications on the economy."
This is Steek's first new job since becoming a city councillor eight years ago. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years as the vice-president of Steek's Fine Furniture and for two years as a lawyer at local law firm, Thompson, Dorfman & Sweatman.
He said one of his goals in his new position is to convince the City to revamp its home renovation tax assistance program. Currently, homeowners can spend up to $10,000 on a home assessed up to $90,000 in value and receive a $1,500 tax rebate over three years. He said the threshold is too low and should be raised to $120,000 or $140,000. Also, the maximum amount the city can pay out each year in rebates should be raised from $300,000 to $500,000, he added.
"So many entry-level homes are worth more than $90,000 now. You've got a city with a lot of older housing stock and this program could be a tremendous incentive for people to invest in their own homes," he said.
Marc Lemoine, deputy city clerk with the City of Winnipeg, said from its point of view, there are no concerns regarding any conflicts of interest with Steek taking a job with the MHBA.
Steek replaces Wayne Bollman, who left MHBA earlier this summer. The former councillor said he has no doubt he made the right decision.
"I love the entrepreneurial zeal of the people in this industry," he added.
The MBHA is a non-profit organization representing 270 home builders, developers, renovators and suppliers in the province.