Quarterly, UDI will be providing members with an update on our advocacy initiatives. Our “Advocacy at a Glance” update will provide members with a snapshot on the UDI’s top advocacy files and initiatives. 

Renewed Development Agreement Parameters approved by City of Winnipeg

On May 30, 2023, Winnipeg City Council adopted the renewed Development Agreement Parameters (DAPs). The renewed DAPs were a result of 15 month process involving over 60 facilitated meetings between UDI members and City of Winnipeg administration from multiple city departments. The goals of this successful process were to update and simplify the Development Agreement Parameters, create a clearer distinction between the DAPs and Standards, and better align the DAPs with OurWinnipeg and Complete Communities 2.0. The adoption by council also included adopting an annual review of the DAPs so that both industry and the City can review and address any items within the DAPs on an ongoing basis.

Regional Planning for the Winnipeg Metro Region

UDI continues to be an active stakeholder with the province regarding moving forward on implementing a new Capital Planning Region for the WMR. Former Manitoba Home Builders’ Association President Michael Moore has been appointed chair of the new Capital Planning Region board by the Manitoba government. 

City of Winnipeg’s Land Development Industry Advisory Group

UDI and senior city administration continue to meet regularly as the Land Development Industry Advisory Group to discuss issues impacting Winnipeg’s land development industry.

City of Winnipeg Development Permits

UDI and MHBA representatives continue to meet with City of Winnipeg officials to improve both intake and approval timeframes for development permits. Since November 2022, we have worked closely the public administration to identify and help resolve development permit application issues to help improve timelines for approvals and to clarify and streamline the application process.

City of Winnipeg Land Monitoring

UDI continues to meet with city planners to review and monitor Winnipeg’s commercial and residential land supply. 

Provincial Election Outreach

On June 20^th, UDI and MHBA’s boards of directors hosted a meeting with Premier Heather Stefanson to discuss issues important to our industries in advance of the upcoming 2023 provincial election. UDI and MHBA directors also met with Opposition Leader Wab Kinew on June 12^th. 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 two party leaders.  

To advance Manitoba’s economic growth, the Manitoba government has established the Manitoba Strategic Corridors Advisory Council. The new Council will provide strategic advice to enhance the performance and resiliency of Manitoba’s transportation network, strengthen the transportation sector’s contributions to the regional economy, and improve provincial supply chain fluidity.

Individuals appointed to the new council are:

• Barry Rempel (vice-chairperson), former president and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority;
• Dennis Cruise, president and CEO, Bituminex Paving and board chair of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association;
• Christian Sinclair, First Nation economic strategic planner and former Onekanew (chief) of Opaskwayak Cree Nation;
• Rob Penner, president and CEO, Bison Transport and board member of the Winnipeg Airports Authority;
• Grant Lazaruk, president and CEO, HyLife;
• Jeannette Montufar, founding partner and CEO, MORR Transportation Consulting;
• Joan Hardy, former senior executive, railway and grain sectors;
• Al Babiuk, former CEO, Loewen Windows.

The new advisory council will work with and complement the department’s strategic infrastructure programs including the Trade and Commerce Grid Initiative, the Winnipeg One Million Perimeter Freeway Initiative, and the National Trade Corridor Strategy.

To view the government’s media release, click here.

Manitoba Hydro’s Property Department has launched a Land Management Site. This is a new platform that offers resources and services related to land management dealings with Manitoba Hydro.

One particularly helpful feature of the site is the new Subdivision Status Dashboard, which allows you to check the status of your subdivision within Manitoba Hydro's easement obtaining process. The dashboard is best viewed on a desktop computer and offers a convenient way to stay informed about the progress of your subdivision.

The Manitoba Hydro Land Management Site currently offers a variety of helpful resources related to the subdivision process, including guides, links to service application forms, FAQ’s and will continue to expand and offer more resources over time.

A potential future development is the use of digital, online applications for Easement Encroachment.

We invite you to visit the site today to learn more about the resources and services available here.

Feedback and suggestions regarding the site and dashboard are gladly welcome by Manitoba Hydro and can be shared at the next meet up between Manitoba Hydro and the Urban Development Institute.