This month's feature member is Alair Homes Brandon!

Alair Homes Brandon has been a builder member for just over 3 years!

MHBA membership gives them the opportunity to be a part of a group of like-minded individuals, to network, collaborate, and educate on all things in the construction industry. 

View the full interview with Mike Peters to learn more about the company, click HERE.

This profile was posted on MHBA's website and social media feeds! If you are interested in your company being featured on our Monthly Member Profile, please contact Amanda at aserediuk@homebuilders.mb.ca.

This membership information package provides you valuable information on how to maximize the value of your MHBA membership. It provides you with information on our events, our education and professional development opportunities, our sponsorship opportunities, and other ways to engage and connect with other MHBA members.

Please review this information and utilize these opportunities to fully utilize what your MHBA membership can do for your

business.

To read the "2023 Members Information Package", please click HERE.

Date: Thursday March 9th, 2023

Time: 1st draw at 8:30am, Prize & Trophy Presentation at 4:30pm

Location: Heather Curling Club, 120 Youville Street

You're invited to our Annual Mixed Curling FUNspiel - No Experience Required!

Never Curled? No Problem! That is what a FUNspiel is for. Come out and join us for a Rockin' Day of curling, networking, food and great prizes!

Register HERE

Registration deadline: March 2nd, 2023

The 2023 Spring Parade of Homes will run from February 25th to March 19th.

Manitoba's best home builders will once again put their extraordinary show homes on display during the Spring Parade of Homes.

The 2023 Spring Parade will feature over 120 Show Homes located in 26 Manitoba neighborhoods, built by 27 of our builder members.

View the participating show homes HERE.

The Manitoba Home Builders' Association, in partnership with the Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, and the Manitoba Construction Sector Council is planning to host a Construction Industry Job Fair in April 2023.

The job fair will provide the opportunity to connect with job-ready employees seeking employment in the construction industry. We will encourage individuals of various experience levels and skill sets to come prepared with a resume.

Please fill out this survey to help us gauge interest and understand the types of roles you have to be filled.

ICE SPONSOR - $175.00

• Individual company signage at the end of the sheet of ice for the whole day.
• Logo featured on ice sponsors sign at the event.  
• A ‘Thank You’ recognition in MHBA’s website and e-newsletter.

Please email Amanda Gomes at agomes@homebuilders.mb.ca 

for more information or to register as an Ice Sponsor!

PRZE DONATION SPONSOR

We are in need of prize donations for our Funspiel. As always, our goal is to have a prize for every curler (4 per team). We will also accept cash donations.



By donating a prize, your company will be recognized as a "Prize Sponsor".

Please email Amanda Gomes at agomes@homebuilders.mb.ca.

Once again, the MHBA has purchased the back page of the Saturday and Tuesday editions of the 2023 Winnipeg Free Press Homes Section. We have secured a great rate this year as part of your membership benefits!

This year, the Winnipeg Free Press has introduced half page ads. There are still available dates for both full page and half page colour ads

To view the rates and remaining dates please click here.

If you are interested in running an ad in the upcoming year on the back page of the Saturday Homes Section or the back page of the Tuesday edition please email Amanda at aserediuk@homebuilders.mb.ca

A Manitoba Home Builders' Association membership comes with many benefits. Hear what being a part of the MHBA means to our members here.

Topic: "Scaffold Basics"

If scaffold planks and decks fail, you could be seriously injured or killed from a fall. You could also be thrown off balance and injure yourself with your tools or equipment.

Learn more about scaffold safety and preotection in CSAM's 'Scaffold Basics' toolbox talk.

View the Toolbox Talk HERE

Inspections go a long way toward preventing work-related injuries and illness. They might be demanded and conducted by regulatory authorities in response to complaints or serious incidents — or they can be a key component of an organization’s workplace safety and health program.

View the safety alert HERE

Congratulations to Maric Homes for winning the CHBA National Award for 'Best Whole Home Renovation - over $800,000'!

View photos of this renovations here.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba have announced the launch of a new grant program using federal funding to help Manitoba municipalities with local and regional long-term infrastructure planning. The Municipal Capacity Building Fund is a new, application-based grant program that will help Manitoba municipalities undertake local and regional long-term infrastructure planning, such as the development of asset management plans. Funding is provided through Manitoba’s portion of the Canada Community-Building Fund, formerly called the federal Gas Tax Fund. Any grants provided under the Municipal Capacity Building Fund would be in addition to municipalities’ allocations under the Canada Community-Building Fund.

Eligible recipients for the Municipal Capacity Building Fund can be a single municipality undertaking its own project, municipalities collaborating on a joint project or a municipality sponsoring a non-municipal entity to launch a capacity-building initiative for the benefit of one or more municipalities. Municipalities can access more information about the program and the application form through Manitoba Municipalities Online at https://www.gov.mb.ca/mao/subscriber/login.aspx.

The government media release can be found here.

As our Spring Parade of Homes begins on February 25, the MHBA wanted to highlight steps you can take to help protect your Show Home from being targeted by thieves.  

We know our members are experiencing theft far more frequently, so here are some tips that can potentially help prevent your Show Home from being a target:

• Install bars on all basement windows;
• Ensure all exterior lights are on and potential entry points are as well light as possible;
• Lock your electrical panels and security system panels to prevent power being shut off;
• Report suspicious activity by visitors both inside and outside the home to your company; and
• Ensure security cameras are out of easy reach if possible.

Preventive steps can go a long way in dissuading a thief from targeting your home.

Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers? Health Canada states that approximately 3,200 Canadians die each year as a result of radon induced lung cancer.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is present in all the air we breathe. Outdoors, radon is diluted and of little concern, but indoors, radon can become concentrated and create an indoor air quality issue and significant health hazard. You cannot see, smell, or taste radon and as a result, elevated levels could be present inside a building and you would never know without testing for it.

Join the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba and Pinchin Ltd. for a webinar designed to educate you about radon, including the health effects; the misconceptions; what is involved in the measurement and mitigation of radon; and why all buildings must be tested.

Click here to register today.

Date: Tuesday March 7th, 2023

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Location: RBC Convention Centre (north building)

The Manitoba government, together with community partners, is hosting an in-person, targeted hiring event to connect you with newcomers who are actively looking for work and are ready to fill your current job openings.

The Newcomer Hiring Event offers booth space to showcase your business and job openings and options for private areas to interview candidates.

To further support your hiring efforts, there are two resources for employers to utilize to access a range of job seekers. By creating a company profile on the Work in Manitoba and Newcomer Employment Hub matching portals, you can begin connecting with potential candidates and continue to source new talent after the event.

After you enter your information into the portals, matching with job seekers begins right away. You can connect with job seekers to schedule interviews at the event or at any other time.

There is high demand for the limited space available, employers are encouraged to apply to attend the event by following the link below. There is no cost to register and power and Wi-Fi are included with your booth.

Apply to reserve your spot HERE

The Province of Manitoba's proposed Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation and the proposed Performance Standards Regulation, have been posted for public consultation on the Manitoba Regulatory Consultation Portal.

You can find the proposed Regulations via the following link: Manitoba Regulatory Consultation Portal (gov.mb.ca)

This project will be available for public comment until 11:59 pm on April 3, 2023.

The Building and Electrical Permitting Improvement Act received Royal Assent on May 20, 2021. In order to implement the changes in Schedules A and B of the Act, the Department of Labour and Immigration is proposing the creation of two new regulations:

• The Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation, under The Permit Dispute Resolution Act.
• The Performance Standards Regulation, under The Buildings and Mobile Homes Act.

The Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation

The proposed Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation will allow expert adjudicators to make binding orders respecting decisions made by a permitting authority about the technical requirements of building standards and complaints that inspections and decisions on permit applications were not conducted or made in a timely manner. The proposed Regulation lays out the processes to apply for a permit dispute resolution hearing, the timeframes for which a hearing must be held by an adjudicator-depending on the nature of the dispute-and the costs associated with the adjudication process (the adjudicator will bill parties directly for their services).

The Performance Standard Regulation

The proposed Performance Standard Regulation lays out the timeframes for which a permitting authority must notify the applicant if their application for a building or occupancy permit is complete, notify the applicant if their application for a building or occupancy permit is approved and, at the request of the applicant, conduct an inspection. This Regulation outlines a phased implementation to assist permitting authorities in meeting these new requirements and to allow them to make the operational changes required to meet more aggressive performance standards, to be phased in after one year.

Please submit your comments and feedback through the Portal and feel free share to this information with anyone else you think may like to provide feedback.  

Manitoba Housing has released a Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) for the Development of Affordable Rental or Cooperative Housing in The Pas, Manitoba is now open. Manitoba Housing has issued this NRFP seeking proposals from community partners who want to develop new, affordable rental and cooperative housing for low-to-moderate income households in The Pas. The purpose of this NRFP is to solicit proposals from qualified proponents for the development of new affordable housing. Financial Assistance from Manitoba Housing is available to help offset the capital costs of the development of new affordable housing.

Information about the NRFP, the proposal submission requirements and the application form is available on the Manitoba Housing website.

The submission deadline for the NRFP is:

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, in Winnipeg, MB

Please note that submitting a proposal does not guarantee financial assistance. All proposals will be reviewed for funding eligibility.

Contact the NRFP Administrator for more information on this NRFP:

Housing Delivery Branch

Manitoba Housing

200-352 Donald Street

Winnipeg MB R3B 2H8

E-mail: housingprograms@gov.mb.ca

ATTN: Sandra Oberdorfer, NRFP Administrator

Three courses delivered as part of Engineers and Geoscientists Manitoba’s Manitoba Climate Resilience Training (MCRT) Project are now available for registration.

Online 90-minute courses will take place on 'Infrastructure Climate Risk Assessment: Featuring the PIEVC Process', 'Natural Infrastructure Solutions to Enhance Climate Resilience' and 'Introduction to Climate Change Through Codes, Standards, and Regulations' on dates in February and March, with two dates offered to choose from for each.

Newly developed 3-hour in-person workshops will offer "deeper dives" into the topics through presentations, discussions and/or small group exercises.

Click on the course titles for further information and to register for these MCRT courses. To see other upcoming climate change training that has been identified by the project team, see Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba's events calendar. 

Economic challenges in forecast

Higher interest rates mean steeper payments on mortgages and other loans

City to consider appeal on Wellington Crescent development

A city committee's decision to reject a controversial development on Wellington Crescent is being appealed.

It's not a good picture'

Manitoba performing poorly in economic indicators

Development promises vibrancy, renewal

The five-storey multi-use development at 198 Sherbrook St. expects to be completed this fall

'No cheap and cheerful allowed'

UM Properties has high hopes, standards for its housing development near university

Public largely opposes city's $30-million loan

Residents overwhelmingly opposed the City of Brandon’s proposed $30-million loan to facilitate construction of two new lift stations during a public hearing Monday evening.

Many councilors undecided ahead of public hearing

Days ahead of a second and final public hearing Monday about whether the City of Brandon should borrow $30 million to build two new lift stations in its southwest areas



Jo Aiello Returns to 92.1 CITI to join Former Co-Hosts

Joe Aiello rejoined his former co-hosts Phil Aubrey and Shalinda Kirby on Monday in a reunion of the popular morning show trio.

B.C. creating permit hub to streamline housing approval process: premier

New strategy will create single application process to cut approval time to a few months

Committee denies zoning variance applications for Wellington Crescent condo project

A second round of zoning variance applications for the controversial development at 514 Wellington Cres. was denied by the City Centre Community Committee on Thursday.

Spring Parade of Homes only a week away

Next Saturday, Manitoba's best home builders will begin a three week showcase of over 120 new show homes

Quality training never goes out of style

On February 14 and 15, the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM) will again be hosting its annual Safety Conference at the RBC Convention Centre

Spring Parade of Homes only a month away

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association’s Parade of Homes is the signature showcase event for Manitoba’s residential construction industry, 

Ask a Renovator at the Winnipeg Home and Renovation Show

The MHBA’s “Ask A Renovator” booth is a signature feature of this weekend’s 2023 Winnipeg Renovation Show 

Federal, provincial programs aim to help with home energy efficiency - MHBA

Increasing the energy efficiency of our homes has been a major focus for all levels of government as well as for Manitoba homeowners.

MHBA members embrace professional development - MHBA

Ongoing professional development is a key piece of what differentiates a Manitoba Home Builders’ Association member from other residential construction companies in Manitoba.

Building with MHBA members always your best bet - MHBA

MHBA members adhere to association-set standards, maintaining the highest level of industry knowledge, and ensuring a safe job environment for all.

Latest update dated: February 21, 2023

• Appointments in the North area are available for the next day.
• All appointments in the East area are available for the next day.
• Appointments in the South area are available for the next day.

The Utility Billing Centre is currently responding to builder's webform requests within 2-3 business days.

The MHBA has been asked by the City of Winnipeg’s Water Services to provide the following reminder to our members:

Before a water meter installation appointment can be scheduled, a contact phone number is required. Please provide Water Services with a phone number where you can be reached during the day, evening or weekend.

To ensure customer’s and employee’s safety during the pandemic, you will receive a phone call, approximately 1 day prior to the appointment date, to ask you questions related to COVID-19. If the City is unable to reach you at the phone number you provide, your appointment will be cancelled.

When you respond to this email with a phone number, your appointment will be scheduled.

In a tight Canadian labour market, employee retention is more important now than ever. The largest barrier preventing most organizations from having better employee retention rates is an over-reliance on outdated methods and mindsets.

Learn more on how to build a successful employee retention strategy here.