July 20, 1998

Mr. Fred D. Holtslag

Group Representative

Consumer Action Group on (untreated) Pine Shakes

23 Portman Place

St. Albert, Alberta

T8N 5L2

Dear Mr. Holtslag:

Thank you for your letter of June 11, 1998 on behalf of the Consumer Action Group on (untreated) Pine Shakes, and your offer to negotiate compensation for the replacement of untreated pine shake roofs.

I have taken the opportunity to review this issue with the Honourable Murray Smith, Minister of Labour. The Department of Labour is responsible for the Alberta Building Code.

In recent weeks my colleagues and I have been quite aware of the extent of home owners' concerns about untreated pine shakes. Some of the concerns appear to be based on misconceptions regarding the degree of, and remedies for, the problem. There also appears to be a general misunderstanding over the role of the Alberta Building Code as it affects building materials, such as pine shakes.

The Alberta Building Code provides minimum requirements related to health and safety. Areas such as quality, durability and the expected life of materials are not covered. It is the manufacturers who, in most cases, provide warranties on the quality of their material. It is the warranty that gives the home owner an undertaking that shakes will perform as advertised over time.

I understand that you are currently arranging to meet with the Minister of Labour to discuss this issue. I look forward to hearing from the Minister regarding the results of this meeting.

Thank you again for writing on behalf of the Consumers Action Group on (untreated) Pine Shakes and providing me with this opportunity to respond.

Sincerely yours,

Ralph Klein

RK/yd

cc: Honourable Murray Smith

Ms. Mary O'Neill, M.L.A.

Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B7 Telephone (403) 427-2251 Fax (403) 427-1349