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The government introduced legislation Thursday that it hopes will put shoddy homebuilders out of business.

The new program requires builders to have an active licence to build homes, which confirms they have the proper skills and are in good financial standing.

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The government will also now have the authority to cancel or suspend those licences when a builder is known for inferior work. Until the program comes into effect, the government has no ability to do that. The bill also calls for an online registry of licensed home builders to help consumers get information about builders.

Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson said he had been told about a need for this bill from consumers and homebuilders alike.

“People are making the biggest purchase of their life and they want to make sure the person building it has good financial stability, is a good home builder, has good credentials,” said Anderson. “They want to make sure their family is safe.”

If the bill is approved, the government expects provisional licences to roll out in November and the program to get fully off the ground a year from now. Any builder who is in the middle of a build when the program starts will be able to continue it with a provisional licence.