This month's feature member is Splendid Homes!

Splendid Homes is a full service design-build company. Offering luxury custom home builds, commercial builds, land development, renovations, interior design, and furniture and lighting design supplies.

They have been a builder member of the MHBA for 1 year. Co-founders Alan & Shima Talebi joined the MHBA in order to be a part of a great community and stay informed on the latest industry news and opportunities..

Read the full interview 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.

Fall Parade of Homes Sponsorship

Please consider joining us as a sponsor of the 2023 Fall Parade of Homes.

The generous support of our sponsors has been key to the success of the Parade of Homes. Sponsorship has allowed an expanded media campaign and an unparalleled level of recognition among the public.

There are numerous levels of support available to accommodate all members.

Should you have any questions regarding sponsorships, please contact

Amanda Gomes at agomes@homebuilders.mb.ca

Sponsorship Deadline is Friday, August 4, 2023 by 5:00 pm (central)

Click the button below to learn more about the different sponsorship levels available!

Topic: "Hazard Assessments"

There are hazards present on every construction site. The identification, communication, and control of hazards on a construction site are critical, and form the foundation of safety and health on the site. Your Construction Safety Association of Manitoba has developed a virtual toolbox talk on performing a hazard assessment.

Learn more in CSAM's virtual 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. 

Learn more HERE

The Manitoba government has announced that effective January 1, 2024, Manitoba will be adopting and enforcing the 2020 editions of the national model building, plumbing, energy and fire codes published by the National Research Council. Permitting and inspections authorities responsible for adopting and enforcing the Manitoba Building Code, Manitoba Plumbing Code and Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings will be required to approve building and plumbing permits based on the 2020 national model codes starting January 1, 2024. Inspections based on permits approved before January 1, 2024, must ensure compliance with approved plans based on the previous codes.

The MHBA’s Technical Research Committee worked closely with provincial officials and our recommendations on the 2020 Model Code adoption and implementation are reflected in the province’s announcement. 

The 2020 editions of the national codes have numerous updates, including:

National Building Code 2020

• Technical requirements for large farm buildings are added, which address fire protection, occupant safety, structural design and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning.
• Encapsulated mass timber construction is introduced, enabling the construction of wood buildings with up to 12 storeys.
• Accessibility requirements are updated to reduce barriers related to anthropometrics, plumbing facilities, signage, entrances and elevators.
• Design requirements for evaporative equipment are revised to minimize the growth and transmission of Legionella and other bacteria.
• A home-type care occupancy is introduced to allow safe and affordable care in a home-type setting.
• Energy performance tiers are established to provide a framework for achieving higher levels of energy efficiency in housing and small buildings. Manitoba is initially adopting the baseline Tier 1, and is working with the federal government to develop a road map and build capacity in Manitoba for higher tier adoption in the future.

National Plumbing Code 2020

• Fibrocement pipe and fittings are included as alternatives to asbestos-cement materials, which were removed from the National Plumbing Code 2015 as an interim change.
• Other new plumbing materials are added as options, including polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) tube, cellular core polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and their fittings.
• The maximum temperature for water discharging from shower heads or into bathtubs is reduced in health-care facilities and seniors' residences to prevent scalding.
• Gate valves and screw caps, which require manual intervention, are removed as options for backflow protection to reduce the risk of basement flooding.
• Design requirements for non-potable rainwater harvesting systems are introduced to facilitate the collection and use of rainwater.

National Energy Code for Buildings 2020

• The application of the Code is extended to cover alterations, such as tenant improvements, to buildings originally constructed in accordance with the National Energy Code for Buildings.
• Maximum overall thermal transmittance values for opaque building assemblies and fenestration are reduced to improve the thermal performance of the building envelope.
• Whole-building airtightness testing is introduced as an option for complying with air leakage requirements.
• Lighting power densities are updated to reflect improvements in the efficacy of lighting products.
• Performance requirements for heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) and service water heating equipment are updated to align them with relevant standards and regulations.
• The trade-off compliance paths for HVAC and service water systems, which were complex and not widely used, are removed.
• A new compliance path with four energy performance tiers is introduced to provide a framework for achieving higher levels of energy efficiency in buildings.

National Fire Code 2020

• Technical requirements for large farm buildings are added, which address the inspection of mechanical equipment and electrical systems, the control of flammable gases and vapours, and the storage of flammable or combustible liquids.
• Fire safety plan requirements are consolidated to facilitate compliance and enforcement.
• Classifications are established for five widely used water-miscible liquid mixtures to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are applied in their storage, handling, use and processing.
• Measures are included to address fire safety during the construction of encapsulated mass timber buildings.
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For further information and resources regarding Manitoba’s adoption and enforcement of the 2020 national model codes, please visit Province of Manitoba | Labour | Labour and Immigration | 2020 Construction Codes Adoption (gov.mb.ca)

To view the Province’s press release, click here.

The MHBA will be working with the provincial government to schedule information and training sessions for members well prior to the January 1, 2024 implementation date to help our members prepare for these changes.

Please be advised with strike action by IBEW 2034, the utility is alerting customers of possible changes in available services and the need to prepare for potentially longer power outage restoration times in the event of bad weather or other events. We want you to know that contingency plans are in place to help ensure that emergency and essential services, as well as public safety are maintained. However, other service requests may be subject to delays and we ask for your patience during this time.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the potential labor disruption or on any aspect of your electric and/or natural gas service, please call your Energy Services Advisor, or Energy Services Supervisor Tim Loeb at tloeb@hydro.mb.ca. As well, Manitoba Hydro has a live “Your service during a strike” page with updated strike action at https://www.hydro.mb.ca/accounts_and_services/strike/ as a source of reference

The MHBA's Workplace Safety & Health Committee has put together a few tips for builders to pass along to their contractors and trades regarding using QR codes to link workers to safety documents.

1. If it is a report form, such as a hazard assessment, inspection or incident report, make sure that a button is checked that allows the form to be either emailed back to sender (cc’d) or saved to the sender’s phone. If it is a larger crew, the sender in that crew should ensure that it is sent to the rest of the crew. If the sender does not share the form with crew members and is away from the site when the inspector comes by asking to see the form, it will result in a fail (no form on site).
2. QR codes can be saved as a favorite on the user’s phone home screen (recommended). Now users don’t have the excuse of not being able to find a code in a house.
3.  Many forms and builder apps allow pdf docs to be downloaded. This is where you can include procedures or the company safety program. Test this in office first to make sure that it can be loaded in the field.
4. Safety Meeting minutes and tool box talks can be made available this way as well so this can satisfy some COR requirements for communications.
5. The other advantage of a safety manual done digitally is that updates are instant: start by scanning the manual into a single pdf and post that. Going forward you can edit out the required pages.

Summer weather can be very unpredictable with storms and severe weather events arising with little to no warning. These extreme weather conditions can produce strong winds and hail causing devastating property damage. While no business is immune to the impacts of these losses, preventative maintenance coupled with a comprehensive risk management plan can help mitigate damage and minimize business interruptions when severe weather strikes.

To help you be prepared, we’ve developed these risk management resources outlining the steps you can take to help mitigate risk and prevent costly damage to your business and property:

• Protecting roofs against high winds
• How to prevent hail damage and protect your property

To learn more about Federated Insurance, visit www.federated.ca or if you’re a Federated customer, you can contact your Commercial Insurance Specialist with any questions. 

The Manitoba Construction Sector Council is looking for your feedback to help in the development of their new course 'English for Construction Purposes'. Filling out this survey will allow MCSC and their curriculum developer to find where the gaps are with newcomers in the industry and focus on those to develop this course. The course is geared towards construction terminology, construction safety, culture etc.

Click HERE to download the form.

Please send your completed forms to Ramir Diaz at rdiaz@mbsc.com.

With the busy housing construction season arriving, here are a few tips to avoid delays and help your inspections go smoothly:

• Schedule inspections through the Housing Inspections Online Request form (preferred method) found at: https://ppdportal.winnipeg.ca/Permits/InspSched/Housing_RequestForm.jsp
• Inspections can be scheduled up to 4 weeks in advance – (remember the 24 hours cancellation rule)
• Have your site supervisors pre-inspect the house prior to the inspector attending, to remediate any last-minute details
• Use the monthly defect reports sent to each builder to ensure the common deficiencies are taken care of
• Ensure safe access to the dwelling and into the basement via a ramp (see attached inspection advisory)
• Ensure the city stamped construction drawings are on site at all times along with the roof truss layout and drawings and the floor layout and engineered drawings if applicable
• If deficiencies are found, use the Defect Certification Program (DCP) through your Permits Online account to expediate the re-inspection process.
• Remember deadlines for deficiencies – 1 month. If additional time is required to repair the issue, request an extension online at: https://ppdportal.winnipeg.ca/Permits/InspSched/DefectExt_RequestForm.jsp
• The Alternate Video Inspection (AVI) Program is an alternative method for inspections for the builder or homeowner if required: https://winnipeg.ca/ppd/inspections/Residential/AlternateVideoInspections.stm

Does your construction company need to hire workers?

The Construction Career Pathways program matches eligible workers and employers to create 16-week entry-level placements across the civil, residential, and industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors. A $2,400 onboarding incentive is available to those companies that qualify.

More details are available in this fact sheet, or on the program website here.

Former Winnipeg CAO Phil Sheegl loses appeal, must pay $1.1M for accepting bribe from police HQ contractor

Former Winnipeg chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl has lost his appeal of a Court of King's Bench ruling that found he accepted a bribe from the contractor responsible for the city's police headquarters.

Fire destroys McMunn & Yates Building Supply store in Thompson

The McMunn & Yates Building Supply store in Thompson, Man. was destroyed in a fire on the weekend. 

Groundbreaking on horizon for tiny home veterans village

An Alberta-based organization that helps homeless veterans reintegrate into civilian life via affordable temporary housing and supports will soon be making an impact in Winnipeg.

Indigenous liaison sought for big city project

The City of Winnipeg is seeking an Indigenous liaison to guide targeted consultations on the second phase of the upgrade to its north end sewage treatment plant.

City considers legal action after protesters defy order to clear landfill blockade

The City of Winnipeg could seek legal action to restore public access to the Brady Road landfill as soon as Tuesday, after protesters defied a municipal order to clear a blockade by noon Monday.

Judge awards developer $5M after ruling 2 city planners deliberately stymied development of Parker lands

Developer Andrew Marquess has won a $5-million judgment against the City of Winnipeg and two planning officials

City making pitch for federal housing funds

The City of Brandon is trying to get in on a federal housing program that could provide more than $7 million in funding through 2027.

New-home construction in Manitoba slowed in April

Manitoba saw 343 shovels hit the dirt last month, down 37 per cent from the 543 that broke ground in April 2022: CMHC

The model city for transforming downtowns? It's in Canada

The downtown transformation that so many other cities are desperate for is underway in Calgary

Protect your investment when hiring a renovator

Manitobans traditionally spend more on renovating their existing homes than they spend on new home construction.

The right builder integral in new home process

Buying a resale home was seen by many as an easier option, but that too is now becoming increasingly difficult.

Manitoba on track to water down building codes: critics

The head of the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association said starting at Tier 1 wouldn’t change what builders here do now, and it would put the prairie provinces in alignment.

Summer indoor renos make sense

Summer time isn’t just for sprucing up the backyard or giving the house a fresh coat of paint. It can be the best and most strategic time to tackle that larger indoor project you’ve been planning.

MHBA RenoMark renovators deliver excellence

This year, we featured 88 different projects by 15 outstanding MHBA RenoMark renovators; renovators who follow the highest professional standards in Canada.

Spring and summer a great time to view MHBA show homes

While the MHBA’s Parade of Homes receive a lot attention while they are in full swing, it’s important to remember that the show homes featured in the Parade are open year-round.



Safety is always a priority on all job site

All visits to construction sites should be done by appointment only and with the full awareness of both the builder and their site supervisor.

Make sure to Click Before you Dig

Every year, homeowners in Manitoba damage buried utility lines on their property resulting in costly repairs, injuries and even fatalities.

Building economy a priority for Home Builder's Association ahead of fall election - Global News Clip

Manitoba Home Builders' Association president Lanny McInnes talks about the future of development in this province, and what the industry is watching ahead of a provincial election.

Latest update dated: July 7, 2023

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

As a result of the Manitoba Construction Industry Job Fair on April 18, Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) now has a database of over 400 job seekers. This includes but is not limited to drywallers, concrete finishers, project managers, retired company owners and construction labourers.

If you're interested in accessing this list of job seekers, please reach out to James Murphy at MCSC at jmurphy@mbcsc.com letting him know your needs.

See the latest newsletter and sign up for timely updates from the Manitoba Construction Sector Council here.

Did you know that CHBA members receive discounted pricing on the nationally bestselling Builders’ Manual, the Renovators’ Manual, and the Adaptiv Home Renovation Manual? Get a discount by bundling all three, then stack your member discount on top!

Visit chba.ca/bundle for more information.