What’s Moving the Market This Week

Western Province Premiers Meet in Alberta

On the heels of Supply-Build Canada’s legislative days across the four western provinces, the western and territorial premiers met in Kananaskis, Alberta, from May 25 to 26 for their annual premiers’ conference. The conference focused on areas for collaboration in international and interprovincial trade, the economy, energy security, and nation-building projects. Unfortunately, the conference was overshadowed by discussions of separation and pipeline projects to the west coast. However, infrastructure building was a focus point as all premiers identified collaboration with the federal government to build more as a top priority.

Over the past three weeks, the Supply-Build Canada advocacy team and members have reminded the western provincial governments that building more requires the support of a strong, healthy building materials industry.

To read more about the conference, please click here.

Canada-U.S. Trade Update

On May 28th, Prime Minister Carney advised U.S. business leaders that Canada and the U.S. must find a new economic partnership where a strong and independent Canada can better help the U.S. This comes after U.S. trade representative Jameson Greer signals that the U.S. would provide Canada and Mexico with preferential tariffs if cooperation on external levies on other countries (i.e., China) are implemented to protect North American manufacturing. However, he cautioned that some U.S. tariffs will remain as long as there is a trade deficit with Canada.

As Canada and the U.S. continue to discuss trade and CUSMA renewal, the status quo appears to be likely in the near future. Businesses should plan and prepare to operate in an unchanged trade environment.

To read more on the current trade situation between Canada and the U.S., please click here.

Manitoba Legislative Day: What We Accomplished


Last week, Supply-Build Canada's advocacy team headed to Winnipeg alongside members Joel Hartung (The LumberZone), Jessica Brandstrom (Vicwest), Andrew Reimer (Star Building Materials), Steve Buckle (Sexton Group), Jesse Watson (QuikTherm Insulation Solutions), and Sam Cohen (Matix Lumber) to meet with Government of Manitoba officials and political staff.


Manitoba is a market that matters to our members - and there's real work to do. We came with specific issues on the table, including barriers to housing development created by rural municipalities and planning districts, building inspectors denying certified building materials, and the impact of U.S. tariffs on our industry.


We also briefed Deputy Minister Michael Jack on Supply-Build Canada's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. He engaged on where the Manitoba Government can provide support, and we'll be following up as that work develops.


Who we met with:

• Michael Jack, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation
• Paris Fragkoulis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Public Service Delivery
• CEO of Manitoba Housing, Ministry of Housing, Homelessness and Addictions
• Maurice Bouvier, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Northern Relations
• Ryan Klos, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
• Director of Universities, Ministry of Advanced Education and Training

Prepared by Jay Dion, Policy Analyst at Supply-Build Canada

Your best people know the products. The great ones know how to talk about them.

In building supply, product knowledge will only get you so far. The people who stand out - who close the sale, defuse the tough customer, and earn trust on the floor - are the ones who know how to communicate.

That's exactly what buildHER Manitoba is about.

Join us in Winkler for Own Your Voice: Become a Confident Communicator, a hands-on workshop led by Genny Sacco-Bak, designed specifically for people in the building supply industry. Your team will walk away with real tools they can put to work the next day.

Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. CDT, McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd. 139 N Railway Ave, Winkler, MB


Networking and refreshments included. Open to everyone. Limited availability.

Your employees work in the building supply. They know what a rebuild costs. Does their insurance?


Register for this free one-hour webinar and find out exactly what they're covered for - and what they're not.


What You Build vs. What You're Covered For: A View from the Home Insurance Perspective Wednesday, June 11 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. CDT Presented by HUB International. Brought to you by Sexton Group.

Don't make your next fleet decision without listening to this.


Electric forklifts aren't a future trend anymore - they're a business decision you're probably already facing. And the cost of getting it wrong is real.


In this episode of Across the Yard, Shaun Casement from HELI Canada joins Liz to break down what the switch actually costs, what most businesses get wrong, and where the industry is heading next.


One conversation. Full picture.

Looking to fill an entry-level role in Manitoba? We've got some names.

• Yevhen - Warehouse logistics, delivery driving, and forklift operation. Shows up, works hard, learns fast. Tremendous attitude. Resume here.

• Linda - Recent high school grad, mature beyond her years. Reliable, computer savvy, and a natural communicator. Perfect for customer service or cashier roles. Resume here.

• Kevin - General labour, equipment operation, and inventory management. New to Canada, fluent in French, and brings a quiet confidence backed by a Bachelor's degree in Law. Resume here.

This summer, Supply-Build Canada is partnering with CareerTrek to give Grade 7 and 8 students a firsthand look at what our industry has to offer - and we need your business to make it happen.

Here's how it works: students come to you for a few hours, you show them what you do, and CareerTrek handles everything else - transportation, snacks, and insurance. All you need to do is show up and brag a little.

We have two spots available this summer:

• July 21
• August 18

Each visit runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break. Can't commit to a full day? No problem - we can split the visit between two businesses. Buddy up with a fellow Manitoba member and make it a team effort.

This is a pilot program in Manitoba, but it's just the beginning. Not in MB or curious to learn more? Email Amanda at awright@supplybuild.ca.

Whether you're looking to get your team together or put your brand in front of the right people, we've still got spots open at a few of our upcoming tournaments:

• BC BarrierTek Golf Classic in partnership with BCWLA - 3 foursomes remaining
• Saskatoon Durabuilt Windows and Doors Golf Classic - 12 foursomes remaining
• Kenosee Golf Classic - availability still open

Don't overlook Innisfail either - the Dinner Sponsorship includes a complimentary foursome. Two wins, one investment.

Grab your spot before it's gone. Contact Amanda at acamara@supplybuild.ca.

Joel Hartung (The Lumberzone), Clinton Plett (Countryside Lumber), Andy Hoffman (Lumber Cart), Rudi Sawadsky (Lumber Cart), Regan Penner (Rona Rosenort), Scott Steffanson and Tim Pillipow (American Express) joined the Supply-Build Canada team for an evening of honest, open conversation - and it delivered.


The perspectives that surfaced simply wouldn't have come out any other way.


Three things we're taking away from the evening:


1. Hiring is broken - and it starts before the interview. Finding industry-trained candidates for office and sales roles remains one of the biggest challenges in the industry.
2. Rural municipalities are standing in the way of housing. Environmental, archaeological, heritage, and sewage assessments required by some RMs can take years, costing developers money and delaying housing.
3. Robotics won't replace jobs - but it will shift them. The consensus was that automation will reshape roles and costs rather than eliminate them outright.
   

A special thank you to American Express for their support in making this evening possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined for your time, your openness, and your contribution to the conversation.

The Amandas recently joined Seven Oaks Immigrant Services to present to a group of skilled newcomers from Colombia, Ecuador, Cameroon, Zambia, and Vietnam - walking them through the many career pathways our industry has to offer.

These individuals are eager, hard-working, and ready to show up for our member businesses. Many bring diverse professional backgrounds in accounting, supply chain, and construction - and several are actively looking for internship placements.


Want to bring next presentation to your business and connect with talented newcomers directly? Amanda can make that happen - awright@supplybuild.ca.

Still thinking about it? You have until July 1.


If you've been considering putting your name forward for the Supply-Build Canada Board of Directors - this is your nudge.


One month left to apply.


The Board is where the people who know this industry best help shape the decisions that affect it most. It's not a ceremonial role - it's real work, with real impact. You'll work closely with President Liz Kovach on strategic planning and governance, weigh in on what this association needs to prioritize, and carry the Supply-Build Canada name across the industry.


We're looking to fill the following positions:

• Two Associate Member Representatives
• Two Retail Member Representatives
• One Treasurer (preferably with an accounting background)


It's a role that asks a lot - and gives back even more.


Send your CV and a brief expression of interest (max 500 words) to Liz at lkovach@supplybuild.ca by July 1, 2026.

In case you missed it, the AGM is coming.


Just a friendly reminder that the Supply-Build Canada Annual General Meeting (AGM) is on the calendar - and you'll want to be there.


Wednesday, September 2, 2026


We'll review the fiscal year, share what's ahead, and, importantly, shape the board that leads this association forward.


More details coming soon. For now, mark your calendar and save the date.

Supply-Build Canada is leading a stronger building materials industry through education, workforce development, member partnerships, and government advocacy. With over 135 years of history, our association is rooted in Western Canada, and our members manufacture, distribute, and sell every material necessary to build Canada’s homes and businesses.

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