This month's feature member is Olympic Building Centre!

Olympic Building Centre is a premium building material solutions and service provide. They have been in operation for more than 40 years, opening their first retail store in 2002!

They joined the MHBA in 2002 to make connections within the industry whereby their team grows, learns, and shares best practices and industry knowledge.

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.

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!

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

The generous support of our sponsors is key to providing members with another extravagant event filled with fun and networking.

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

The deadline for sponsorship registration is Friday, September 29th

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

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

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

Manitobans will head to the polls on October 3^rd to elect the next Government of Manitoba. During the 2023 election campaign, the MHBA will be providing members with updates on the election promises made by Manitoba’s main political parties and other campaign news through our e-newsletter.

Voting Information

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

Pre-Election Outreach

In June 2023, the MHBA and UDI Board of Directors jointly hosted meetings with Premier Heather Stefanson and Leader of the Opposition Wab Kinew to discuss issues important to our industries in advance of the upcoming 2023 provincial election. Growing Manitoba’s economy, improving the affordability of housing, improving service levels at Manitoba Hydro, increasing immigration, addressing crime, and making Manitoba’s tax regime more competitive were just a few of the topics discussed during our meetings with the party leaders. 

Earlier this month, the MHBA wrote each of Manitoba’s three main party leaders – Premier Heather Stefanson, Wab Kinew, and Dougald Lamont –to provide them information on the residential construction industry and to highlight the top issues facing our industry. A copy of the MHBA’s election document can be found here.

The MHBA has also offered each leader the opportunity to speak directly to our members via a short video about the importance of the residential construction industry to Manitoba’s economy and what each party plans to do to support residential construction and increase housing affordability for Manitobans. If provided, these videos will be shared with MHBA members in our election updates.

The MHBA, along with 9 other leading Manitoba industry and business associations, jointly hosted a “Growing the Economy” Provincial Leaders Debate on September 12. The event was well attended and drew significant media coverage.

Campaign Announcements Update

Below is a list of each parties’ campaign announcements made to date that impact Manitoba’s residential construction industry and/or MHBA members:

PC Manitoba

• 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 announcements

NDP

• 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 announcements

Liberal Party of Manitoba

• 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

Canada Lands Company has submitted a draft Secondary Plan to the City of Winnipeg.

The draft Secondary Plan applies to Canada Lands-owned lands within Naawi-Oodena and outlines a comprehensive land use and development framework to guide implementation of the Naawi-Oodena Master Plan.

You are invited to the Public Open House events!

Meet with the project team at one of three events to:

•  Get an update on project progress;
• Learn about Canada Lands’ implementation plans, and;
• Ask questions and share your thoughts.

In person (two identical sessions)

Canadian Mennonite University, Marpeck Commons (2299 Grant Ave, Winnipeg MB)

• Thursday, September 21st, 2023 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Online (via Zoom)  

• Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Register here for the online event.

Be sure to register for our online public open house if you cannot attend in person.

When: September 21, 2023 via Zoom

Time: 12:30pm (CST)

In this webinar exclusively for CHBA members, Learn how first-time buyers and those looking to get into the market are being affected by today’s conditions. Are they optimistic about the future and ready to buy, or holding out for better circumstances?

Join CHBA CEO Kevin Lee and Sagen’s Kiki Sauriol-Roode as they delve into results from Sagen’s most recent First-Time Homebuyer Survey and Financial Fitness Study. Gain insights into what’s changed from last year, and how your business may be affected.

Register HERE

When: November 27-28, 2023

Where: Clarion Hotel, Brandon

Red River Polytechnic Instructors: Tammy Harper and Trevor Dackow.

The update will cover code changes from 2010 through 2020 in the Manitoba Building, Plumbing and Energy Codes at a high level. 

Day 1 - Building Codes

• 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

• 8:00-8:55 am - Registration
• 9:00-4:00 pm - Seminar

Click here to register.

Fees include refreshments and lunch.

(GST is not applicable) 

For further information about changes to the new provincial codes, please contact Development Services at 204-729-2110 or planning@brandon.ca.

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.

We are pleased to advise that on September 25, 2023, the Zoning & Permits office located at Unit 31 – 30 Fort Street will be expanding in-person services, offering appointments to meet with Zoning Development Officers. 

Anyone wanting to meet with a Zoning Development Officer will need to book an appointment in advance. Walk-in appointments will not be available.

Ways to book an appointment:

• By Phone: 204-986-5140
• By Email: ppd-permitappointments@winnipeg.ca

General inquiries

• Email: PPD-ZDO@Winnipeg.ca

Permits Online

• Development & building permits can still be submitted through Permits Online or via email: ppd‑permit@winnipeg.ca

The role you and your staff play in cybersecurity

In our technologically advanced society, scams are commonplace as cyber criminals try to steal money and personal information through unsuspecting victims, such as a company’s employees.

Did you know?

• World Economic Forum finds that nearly all (95%) cyber breaches happen because of human error
• Ransomware and business email compromise were the two leading causes of loss, accounting for nearly 50% of claims in 2020 and 2021*

That’s why an effective cyber risk management strategy should include employee training as awareness is critical to help ensure your business stays cybersecure. Together with CyberScout, a leading cyber service provider, we’ve created informative resources with tips to help protect your business and avoid potential losses caused by cyberattacks:

• An Overview of Scams
• Business Email Compromise

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.

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

Roots of conflict between developer, Winnipeg city councillor date back 14 years

River Heights Coun. John Orlikow vowed to take time developing Parker lands after city hall 'rush job' in 2009

Inflation impacting developments in Winnipeg

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

Tower-ing opportunity in St. Boniface

Water Tower District development set for former Canada Packers site

Provincial money to help city reduce sewer backups, pollution

Manitoba is flowing more cash to the City of Winnipeg to stem chances of sewage backing up into basements and the Red River in southwest Winnipeg.

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. 

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.

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.

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: September 18, 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.

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.

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.  

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.

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