On July 19, MHBA and UDI MB met with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham. 

Topics discussed with Mayor Gillingham included improving the City of Winnipeg’s development permit application process, the permit reserve fund, and the 2024 city budget.

The MHBA and UDI thank Mayor Gillingham for meeting with us to discuss these topics important to Winnipeg’s residential construction and land development industries.

This month's feature member is Professional Home Builders Institute (PHBI)!

PHBI is an education institute that was established by builders for builders. Focusing on providing education and training.

MHBA membership has provided PHBI a conduit to the local new home builder industry. In addition both organizations see value and are aligned on the power of education and training to enhance the skills and professionalism of its membership.

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.

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023

Time: 8:00 am 

Venue: MHBA Housing Forum, Victoria Inn (1808 Wellington Avenue)

The following business will be conducted at the AGM:

1. Approval of Minutes from the November 10, 2022 AGM

2. President & CEO's report on 2022-23 activities

3. Ratification of actions of Board of Directors for 2022-23

4. Presentation of the audited financial statements for 2022-23

5. Appointment of the auditor for 2023-24

6. Report from the Nominating Committee

6a. Election of Directors

7. Conduct such other business as may be properly brought before this meeting

When: October 20, 2023

Where: RBC Convention Centre (York Ballroom)

Ticket Price: $210.00 (plus GST) per person

Our signature Fall event is dedicated to celebrating the MHBA community and all of our remarkable members. It's an evening to recognize the collective achievements and contributions that make MHBA members exceptional. The MHBA's Fall Gala is our most eagerly anticipated event of the year!

This year's Gala promises an unforgettable experience:

• 5:30 pm: Kick off the festivities with a lively reception.
• 7:00 pm: Savor a delectable 4-course dinner while enjoying special entertainment from the Killer Keys Dueling Pianos
• 8:30 pm: Groove to the infectious rhythms of the Danny Kramer Dance Band on the dance floor.

There will be no awards presentation. Just an evening of fantastic food, and entertainment.

The registration deadline is set for Friday, October 6th, no cancellations will be accepted after that date.

For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, please make sure to indicate your requirements on your registration form or contact Cyrille McIntosh at cmcintosh@homebuilders.mb.ca

Get ready to dance, dine, and celebrate with us at MHBA's Fall Gala. It's an event you won't want to miss!

MHBA's Housing Forum and Trade Show returns on November 9th at the Victoria Inn (1808 Wellington Ave.) featuring our signature trade show, captivating professional development sessions, incredible prizes, and much more!

Mark your calendars, as Individual Attendee Registration will open the afternoon of Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023

Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity!

Don't miss this golden opportunity to shine at MHBA's Housing Forum and Trade Show. Your brand deserves the spotlight!

Ready to captivate an audience hungry for innovation and excellence? Secure your place as an Exhibitor or Sponsor today!

Want to know what home buyers are looking for in a new home? What features they will trade-off to get what they want? Get your customers professionally surveyed for FREE and receive valuable insight into their home buying preferences.

CHBA’s annual nationwide market research study – powered by Avid Ratings Canada – is the only source for this vital market insight.

Participation is free and takes just two minutes to sign up. Learn more HERE. 

Topic: "Extension Ladders"

Extension ladders can be dangerous tools. Workers have been killed and injured from falls after losing their balance and powerline contact. Climbing a ladder is not as easy as it sounds. Most ladder injuries occur when getting on or off a ladder

Learn more in CSAM's toolbox talk HERE

Lightning causes more fatalities than hail, wind, rain and tornados combined. The most vulnerable people are workers in industries such as construction, farming, and landscaping that primarily work outdoors amongst conductors such as tools and equipment.

Learn more HERE

Manitobans head to the polls today to elect the next Government of Manitoba. 

Voting Information

Information on Election Day voting, where to vote, and more can be found at the following link: WHERE DO I VOTE? (electionsmanitoba.ca)

Campaign Announcements Update

Below is a list of each parties’ campaign announcements made to date that impact Manitoba’s land development and residential construction industries:

PC Manitoba

• Provide $8.8 million over four years toward new Winnipeg Transit routes in Aurora, Castlebury Meadows, Waterford Green, and Prairie Point – September 28
• Invest $1 million annually to expand the Winnipeg Police Service property crime unit and increase their capacity to respond to property crime reports – September 26
• Establish a $16 million skills training and recruitment fund to support the most in-demand industries, including construction, to help address Manitoba’s labour shortage – September 14
• Remove the PST from the sale of trees and flowers – September 13
• Releases economic development plan “Vision 2030” – September 11
• Phase out the Payroll Tax over 8 years with a 50% reduction in 4 years – September 11
• Allow seniors to defer property taxes and introduce $500 tax credit for home improvements – September 7
• Eliminate the land transfer tax for first time home buyers – September 6
• Reduce the tax rate for Manitoba’s lowest income tax bracket by 50% - September 5

Click here for PC Manitoba's 2023 Platform

Click here for PC Manitoba's announcements

NDP

• Make Orange Shirt Day a statutory holiday in Manitoba – September 28
• Strengthen lobbying laws “so wealthy, well-connected insiders can’t tip the scales in their favour” – September 28
• Review Bill 37, speed up approval timelines and make sure local voices have a seat at the decision-making table – September 28
• Work with municipalities and the federal government to launch a rail-relocation study to prevent environmental damage and keep Manitobans safe – September 28
• Create a roadmap to meet net-zero targets by 2050 and make our energy grid net-zero by 2035 – September 28
• Improve health and safety standards – September 28
• Hire more workplace health and safety officers – September 28
• Commits to removing the PST off new rental builds – September 20
• Announces new affordable home energy program – September 20
• Releases the “Manitoba Jobs for Manitobans” strategy which will ensure public infrastructure jobs are prioritized for Manitoba employers and workers – September 11
• Bring in stronger rent control legislation and introduce a $700 tax credit to help make rent more affordable - August 25
• Commits to funding 40 firefighters for a new fire hall in Waverley West – August 24
• Freeze Manitoba Hydro rates for 1 year and will repeal Bill 36 – August 22
• Commits to cut the gas tax and to give the Public Utilities Board new powers to review, investigate and regulate retail gasoline prices in Manitoba – August 21
• Commit to not raise the PST – August 10
• Commit to restore the 1-1 apprentice ratio – August 10
• Commits to balance the province budget within the first term of government – August 9

Click here for Manitoba NDP's 2023 Platform

Click here for Manitoba NDP's announcements

Liberal Party of Manitoba

• Improve provincial settlement services and reduce financial barriers for new Canadians looking to make a permanent home in Manitoba – October 1
• Create a new $300 million Green Fund to help create green jobs, reduce energy costs and fight climate change – August 23
• Establish a politically-independent Manitoba Business Development Bank – August 11

Click here to view the Manitoba Liberals 2023 Platform

Click here for Manitoba Liberals' announcements

“Infill housing construction” refers to construction on residential sites located in established neighbourhoods, either on existing vacant lots or with the demolition of an existing structure to accommodate the construction of a new structure. This includes single detached houses, semi-detached houses, duplexes as well as multi-unit residential complexes. Due to the proximity of infill construction sites to existing properties and structures, neighbouring properties may be impacted.

The Infill Housing Construction Information Bulletin was updated earlier this month and posted to the Information Bulletins webpage as bulletin number 2023-006-B/Z.

View the Information Builletin HERE

The Province will adopt the new Manitoba Building Code (MBC) effective January 1, 2024, i.e. the 2020 National Building Code of Canada with Manitoba amendments, Regulation 78/2023.

The City will refer to this as the 2024 Manitoba Building Code (9th Edition), which will apply to all building permit applications submitted January 1, 2024 or later.

Refer to the attached 2024 Building Code Implementation bulletin for details regarding enforcement of the new Manitoba Building Code on January 1, 2024

Winnipeg Seminar - Hosted by Manitoba Building Officials Association

Date: October 25 & 26, 2023 (Trade show on October 25)

Location: Canad Inns Polo Park (1405 St Matthews Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0K5)

Brandon Seminar - Hosted by City of Brandon

Date: November 27 & 28, 2023

Location: Clarion Hotel (3130 Victoria Ave, Brandon, MB R7B 3Y3)

This seminar will cover code changes from 2010 through 2020 in the Manitoba Building, Plumbing and Energy Codes at a high level. The session is presented by RRC instructors, Tammy Harper and Trevor Dackow.

Day 1 - Building Codes

Schedule (for Winnipeg and Brandon Sessions)

• 7:30-8:15 am - Registration 
• 8:15-8:30 am - Opening Remarks
• 8:30-4:30 pm - Seminar

Day 2 - Plumbing and Energy Codes

Schedule (for Winnipeg and Brandon Sessions)

• 8:00-8:45 am - MBOA Annual General Meeting (Winnipeg Only)
• 8:00-8:55 am - Registration 
• 9:00-4:00 pm - Seminar

Registration

• Winnipeg (October 25-26) Click here to register.
• Brandon (November 27-28) Click here to register.

When: Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm (CST)

Major changes are coming to the National Building Code of Canada (NBC 2020), especially with respect to the Energy Efficiency section (9.36) and the proposed Tiers of Performance. Adoption is planned for most jurisdictions across the country in 2024 and builders need to be prepared to find the most cost-effective ways to meet the Tiers. In this webinar presented by Gord Cooke, president of Building Knowledge Canada, attendees will understand the new code changes in NBC 2020, learn more about the 5 Tiers of Performance in the Energy Efficiency section (9.36) and discuss methods for meeting the Tiers.

This webinar includes a 60-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A.

Register HERE.

The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is excited to announce the launch of its new website.

Visitors to the site can learn more about Canada’s National Model Codes and how they’re developed, submit a code change request, and find information about upcoming meetings of the CBHCC and its code development committees.

In the future, the site will host public reviews where stakeholders can provide their input on proposed code changes and seminars highlighting significant code changes.

Be sure to visit the website and share the link with those who may be interested!

Leadership and Management Development Course

Date: November 8-15, 2023 (11:00am - 2:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)

Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,199/person (before member discount)

MHBA members will receive a $50 discount by using the code MHBA-LEADER2023.

In collaboration with the McGill Executive Institute, the Professional Home Builders Institute is thrilled to make available to the new home builder industry this Leadership and Management Development Workshop. This course will be conducted virtually, providing an immersive online experience that will enrich your learning outcome. Participants will enhance their leadership and management skills through an engaging learning experience that will empower themselves with the confidence and environment to generate ideas, solve problems and make decisions. This workshop will additionally provide time for reflection, discussion, and an ongoing application of concepts.

Register online here, or contact admissions@phbi.ca for more information.

Learn more HERE.

You are invited to join the public open houses on Plan20-50 on the following dates:

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 

11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m & 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m 

Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion Street,

Winnipeg, Manitoba 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 

11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m & 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m 

Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre, 293 Main Street,

Stonewall, Manitoba 

Thursday, November 9, 2023 

11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m & 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m 

Centre TC Energy Centre, 1 Rivard Street,

Îles des Chênes, Manitoba 

These open houses will each feature a morning session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and an evening session from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., both open to the general public. Each of these sessions will have the same information on display, so please come to the most convenient session for you. At these sessions, the WMR's planning team will be available to collect your feedback and answer questions, which will help strengthen the plan.

Please contact info@wmregion.ca or 204-989-2048 for any questions you may have. 

If you're unable to attend these sessions in person and would like to provide your feedback online, the WMR planning team will be collecting feedback about the regional plan online at 20to50.ca between November 1, 2023, and December 17, 2023. 

Twenty per cent of all fires in Canada are electrical fires, causing significant amount of property damage and serious injuries.

What causes electrical fires?

• Insufficient electrical maintenance as electrical components deteriorate overtime
• Incorrectly installed electrical components
• Additional strain on the system as needs change and new electrical equipment or motors are added

Therefore, it’s crucial that you regularly inspect and maintain all electrical systems. To help protect your business from devastating loss, Federated Insurance has created a risk management resource on what system checks to perform and fire prevention and safety tips. Read more HERE.

Promises made on key issues in the 2023 Manitoba election

Learn more about promises made by each party on various issues.

East of the Red Rec Plex construction delayed

The tentative opening date for the East of the Red Rec Plex has been pushed back.

St. James Civic Centre expansion price tag faces $3-M bump

The expansion of the St. James Civic Centre is now expected to cost an additional $3 million

Protesters set up Brady Road Landfill blockade in response to election ad

A blockade on a road leading to the entrance at Brady Landfill has resurfaced in reaction to PC election advertising

City accused of delaying, derailing property plan

The City of Winnipeg is being accused of unfairly holding up the redevelopment of a prominent Main Street property for more than a decade

How the Feds Could Push Cities to Build More Homes — with a Carrot or Stick

From local zoning to community consultations, there are plenty of ways cities are hitting the brakes on residential construction, even as Canada faces a significant housing shortage.

Betting on the promise of Pembina

Pemby site designed so it ‘takes advantage of the area’s surroundings’

Manitoba plans to use wind power to double or triple energy-generating capacity over next 2 decades

Future hydro-electric dams likely too costly, despite growing demand for electricity

Worker dies after high levels of carbon monoxide found in home under construction

A worker at a home under construction in Winnipeg has died after high levels of carbon monoxide were detected inside.

Highland Pointe approaches another milestone

Phase 2 of the 400-acre housing development near the north perimeter is expected to be complete by the end of summer

Tips to enjoy the Fall Parade of Homes

Here are some tried and true tips from the Manitoba Home Builders Association on the how to make the most of your time visiting our great show homes.

Fall Parade of Homes on now

Once again, the MHBA is proud to present the biggest and best Parade of Homes in Canada.

Residential construction investment drop

According to Statistics Canada residential construction fell 4.1% in July

Fall Parade of Homes only a month away

The MHBA’s 2023 Fall Parade of Homes starts on Saturday, September 23 and runs through Sunday, October 15.

Fall Parade of Homes will showcase Manitoba's top builders

Even with the many challenges our members have faced over the past few years, MHBA builder members have continued to host successful Parade of Homes confidently. 

New home construction typically occurs in five phases

Just how long does the whole construction process usually take and what does each phase of construction involve? 

Inflation impacting developments in Winnipeg

MHBA President & CEO Lanny McInnes on how inflation has impacted the construction industry

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.

In advance of receiving your 2023-2024 MHBA membership renewal invoice in the coming weeks, please be advised that we are currently updating the online membership portal on the MHBA website. Further information regarding the MHBA’s new and improved online membership portal will be provided to you via email in September & October. 

As a result of the timing of the upgrades, you will be unable to log into your membership portal via our website and make any changes or updates at this time.

We ask that you please contact Miriagh Johnson directly at mjohnson@homebuilders.mb.ca with any information changes (example – address, phone number, main contact, etc.) until our new portal has been launched in early October. 

This will also impact the option for online payment of your membership renewal dues. If you would like to pay via Credit Card, please call the office at 204-925-2560 to make payment. Membership renewal invoices will be sent out the first week of August, but they will be dated for September 1, 2023.

Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, and we thank you for your patience during this process.

Latest update dated: October 3, 2023

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.  

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.