UDI Manitoba hosted its All Members Meeting on September 17, bringing members together to discuss issues and opportunities impacting Manitoba’s land development industry.

Members had the opportunity to raise questions and share concerns on matters important to the industry, with presentations from Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of Winnipeg’s Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, and Jamie Hall, CEO of Habitat for Humanity.



The next UDI Manitoba All Members Meeting will take place on January 21.

The Manitoba government has unveiled its first Net Zero Action Plan, a document outlining 90 specific actions and first steps on Manitoba’s path to net-zero emissions by 2050. The action plan sets out the first steps in Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero, which was released last October, and turns the strategy’s priorities into clear milestones across multiple sectors over the next three years. Supported by more than $350 million in future government funding, it will reduce carbon emissions while laying the foundation for further reductions on the path to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.



Key actions in the Net Zero Action Plan that will impact residential construction and land development are: 

• Promote the benefits of a home energy and resiliency labeling system to homeowners, realtors and home builders. Efficiency Manitoba’s EnerGuide Home Evaluation Rebate and New Homes Program will be leveraged to support this. This will support better decision‑making, encourage energy‑efficient and climate resilient construction and retrofits and improve transparency across the housing market.
• Rollout new training and information programs to help the construction industry adopt higher tier building codes. These initiatives will strengthen industry capacity, support provincial greenhouse gas reduction targets and accelerate the transition to a net zero future.
• A pilot project will be launched with industry partners to demonstrate circular economy practices on construction sites. The project will increase the reuse and diversion of construction, renovation and demolition materials by identifying practical end uses and new market opportunities for priority materials, advancing more sustainable and resource efficient building practices.
• The Provincial Land Use Policies in the Provincial Planning Regulation will be reviewed, updating provincial direction that guides how municipalities incorporate climate preparedness, hazard planning and nature‑based solutions into their development plans, focusing on both climate mitigation and climate resilience.
• Enhance Efficiency Manitoba’s successful New Buildings Program to further incentivize deeper energy reductions beyond existing building code to support the industry transition towards net zero. Efficiency Manitoba will continue to deliver over 40 programs and offers to increase the efficiency of buildings and homes.
• The Sector Council Program will help to build a net‑zero workforce by supporting industry led training across eleven key sectors, including construction.

Click the following link to read the full action plan: Manitoba's Path to Net-Zero.

KMPG recommended the Public Service work with the development industry to identify opportunities for process improvements once a development application was approved by Council. The Public Service, in collaboration with the Urban Development Institute, hosted several brainstorming sessions in the Spring and Summer of 2026 that were facilitated by Landmark Planning. The sessions were extremely productive and positive, resulting in numerous proposed changes which are administrative in nature. A number of improvements, including but not limited to providing detailed approval checklists, amending report templates and increasing the use of digital signatures will result in development time reductions and/or enhance the development process.

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Public Service will also implement a pilot program where experienced greenfield and infill developers apply to an advertised program that expedites certain land development processes with a goal toward reducing overall timelines. The program involves a transfer of risk from the City to the developer, and the pilot will allow the Public Service to assess whether the program should be delivered to a larger audience.

Click below to learn more:

• Qualified Greenfield pilot program
• Qualified Infill pilot program

In response to industry needs, you can now apply and pay to become a new City of Winnipeg licensed contractor through Permits Online. You can also register for electrical or plumbing contractor exams. To become a licensed contractor, refer to the Trade information & contractor licensing webpage and choose the appropriate trade for more information.

Existing licensed contractors can now manage people associated with their licence.

As a reminder, contractors can continue to apply for permits and manage their active permits and applications through Permits Online.

If you have any questions, email contractorlicence@winnipeg.ca or call 204-986-5189.

The Red River Planning District (RRPD) is pleased to introduce Cloudpermit for planning applications, bringing more of the planning application process online and making it easier for applicants and the community to access planning information.

Cloudpermit will provide a convenient, centralized workspace where applicants can submit applications, provide supporting documents, make payments, track application information and access updates, all online and available 24/7.

CLICK HERE to read the full bulletin.

Manitoba Labour and Immigration is providing a Bulletin and Fact Sheet regarding upcoming amendments to the Employment Standards Code that will come into force on October 1, 2026.

These materials provide information on new requirements related to Sick Notes that apply to provincially regulated workplaces and identify resources available to support implementation.

This information is available on the Employment Standards website:

www.manitoba.ca/labour/standards

Manitoba Labour and Immigration is providing a Bulletin and Frequently Asked Questions document regarding amendments to the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, as of September 1, 2026.

These materials provide information on new requirements related to the provision of menstrual products in provincially regulated workplaces and identify resources available to support implementation.

This information is also available on the Workplace Safety and Health website:

www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety

The intent for buildings constructed to the rear of existing primary buildings is that these buildings are secondary to the primary building in size, height, and intensity. This is reflected in current zoning requirements for both accessory buildings and detached secondary suites.

With the allowance of multiple primary buildings on a single property, more flexible standards, and higher demolition costs, some recent developments have been built with multi-unit buildings located behind existing detached homes. Without specific development standards to consider this type of development, concerns have been raised by both residents and staff on the appropriateness of building location, setbacks, size, height, and servicing. As well, staff have concerns with whether this type of development aligns with the intent of the City Plan and considers the context of the existing neighbourhood.

With completion of a full review of the current Zoning By-law still underway and not expected to be adopted until 2027, City administration is recommending restricting this type of infill development until the Zoning Bylaw review is complete, allowing City administration time to further refine existing regulations if this type of infill development is still acceptable for consideration.

For more information or to provide feedback on this change, please contact s.tembo@brandon.ca. 

The City of Winnipeg has published development permit and building permit statistics and permit processing times.

CLICK HERE to view.

Manitoba Municipal Board public hearing notices can be found here.