The following piece is a submission on behalf of WCA, the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba that originally appeared in the February 24 Opinion section of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Manitoba was built through hard work, collaboration, and community. Every hospital, school, road, and bridge reflects the dedication of our construction industry. Today, the sector employs more than 57,000 Manitobans, contributes $4.2 billion annually to the provincial economy, and supports businesses in every region. We are proud of the role we play in building Manitoba’s future.

We are speaking out about the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) not to oppose the government’s goals, but to ensure public policy delivers real value, respects worker choice, and protects taxpayers. The practical consequences of the MJA are clear: fewer bidders, reduced competition, increased administrative burden, and higher project costs. When competition narrows, prices rise. When compliance complexity grows, risk premiums follow. All of this lands on a provincial budget already facing structural deficits.

The MJA imposes a specific labour relations structure on provincially funded projects exceeding $50 million. Successful bidders must hire union card-holding workers first if their own workforce is insufficient. Union membership becomes the deciding factor — not skill, experience, or performance. If the goal is to ensure Manitobans work on these projects, there is a simple solution: require contractors to certify that their workforce consists of Manitoba residents. A union card should not determine who is entitled to work on taxpayer-funded infrastructure. The agreement also introduces entirely new costs. All employers must pay 85 cents per hour worked to the Manitoba Building Trades Council; an unprecedented charge in Manitoba construction. On a typical school project, this payment alone can exceed $250,000, with no measurable benefit to taxpayers.

Open-shop contractors face additional costs, including compulsory union dues, numerous union fund contributions, and payments to third parties. Taken together, these requirements will add millions of dollars to publicly funded projects. It’s money that could otherwise be invested directly in classrooms, hospitals, and infrastructure.

These levies apply to every qualifying project for as long as the policy remains in place. Has the government publicly quantified this financial transfer? How much will be collected annually, and who ultimately receives these funds? If those figures are unknown, taxpayers should be concerned.

Equally troubling is how the MJA was developed. It was negotiated privately with the Manitoba Building Trades Council, while industry associations representing the majority of workers and employers of Manitoba’s construction workforce were excluded. This policy was not clearly presented during the election campaign, nor transparently detailed in the provincial budget. A change of this magnitude warrants open consultation and public debate.

Approximately 80 per cent of Manitoba construction workers have chosen not to join a union. Yet the MJA effectively imposes union structures on publicly funded projects, requiring many workers to operate under union rules and contribute fees to organizations they did not choose. Worker choice — a fundamental principle of our labour system — is being disregarded.

Manitoba already has strong wage, safety, and local hiring protections. Existing legislation provides robust safeguards for fair pay, safe worksites, and local employment. The MJA duplicates these frameworks while adding new layers of cost and red tape.

There are also broader economic risks. If local open-shop contractors are discouraged from bidding, provincial capacity shrinks. Over time, this may force labour to be imported from outside Manitoba — undermining the stated goal of maximizing local employment and weakening rural and small-business economies.

The MJA is already being applied to major projects, including a four-school construction bundle and the Victoria Hospital redevelopment. The stakes are no longer theoretical. This direction, however, is not irreversible. The construction industry has consistently articulated three principles for any revised framework: respect for worker choice, open and fair competition, and broad workforce participation. These are not partisan positions; they are practical foundations for delivering infrastructure efficiently in a province with diverse labour models and regional realities.

Taxpayers deserve policies that maximize competition and value. Workers deserve respect for how they choose to work. Employers deserve the opportunity to compete based on merit — not union affiliation. Manitoba’s construction industry stands ready to work with government, labour, and community leaders to find a better path forward — one that protects public value, maximizes local opportunity, and delivers the infrastructure Manitobans need. It is time for genuine partnership. We can respect workers’ choices and protect taxpayers at the same time.

On Wednesday, February 18, WCA’s 2026 Annual General Meeting saw the election of this year’s Board of Directors, headed by new Chair Peter Bernatsky. Congratulations to all our new and returning Board Members – we’re looking forward to a busy year ahead of building the ICI industry across Manitoba.

(Front Row, L-R): Dom Costantini, Treasurer; Teri Urban, Vice-Chair; Ron Hambley, President; Peter Bernatsky, Chair; Roger Tuk, Immediate Past Chair

(Middle Row, L-R): Xuan Nguyen, MWC Representative; Chris Dyck, Electrical Division Chair; Tara Kroeker, Director-at-Large; Daniel Hartley, Director-at-Large; Stacey Gagné, Manufacturer and Supplier Division Chair; Chris Erbus, Director-at-Large

(Back Row, L-R): Shane Storie, Director-at-Large; Julien Lafleche, Mechanical Division Chair; Nicholas Withoos, Director-at-Large; Ben Robinson, YCLM Representative; Chris McRae, Director-at-Large; Rich Marchetti, CSAM Advisory Chair; Travis Paul, Director-at-Large; Chris Precourt, Trade Contractor Division Chair; Craig Hildebrandt, Director-at-Large

Not Pictured: John Schubert, Past Chairs Committee Representative, Soo Lee, General Contractors Division Chair; Zeb Hudon, Director-at-Large.

The February 6 edition of The WCA Newsletter, featuring stories on the Manitoba Jobs Agreement, MITT’s closure and more, is now available here.

Earlier today, the provincial government held a press conference promoting the Manitoba Jobs Agreement. We are surprised and disappointed by the government’s decision to hold this press conference while we are actively engaged in ongoing discussions with them to address its serious flaws.

WCA members are both union and open shop construction firms, which gives us a unique perspective and voice on project labour agreements like the MJA. It is concerning to see the government push forward with an approach that could drive up costs, reduce competition and delay vital projects for Manitobans.

We urge the government to work with us on practical changes to the MJA that will ensure timely delivery of critical infrastructure and better opportunities for all Manitobans in the construction industry.

Catch up on the latest industry new and notes with today’s edition of The WCA Newsletter, including a look at our submission to the provincial government on energy tier adoption, a link to tickets for our Chair’s Reception on February 18, and information on three excellent courses coming up next month. Click here to check it out.

The January 9 edition of The WCA Newsletter, featuring stories on the new version of the Manitoba Trade Definitions, nomination forms for our Division elections, the Save the Date for our AGM and Chair’s Reception and more, is now available here.

Catch up on the latest industry news and notes with the December 12 edition of The WCA Newsletter, available here.

Catch up on the latest industry news and notes with the October 31 edition of The WCA Newsletter, available here.

Construction associations call for immediate reversal to 2:1 ratio 

WINNIPEG, October 28, 2025 – Manitoba’s construction industry is calling on the provincial government to immediately reverse the apprenticeship ratio change introduced in October 2024, after new government data shows a clear decline in apprenticeship participation. 

According to Apprenticeship Manitoba’s published statistics, new apprentice registrations fell from 3,128 in 2023-24 to 2,730 in 2024-25, while active apprentices dropped from 11,878 to 11,628. These declines mark the first measurable downturn since the pandemic and coincide directly with the government’s decision to impose a 1:1 journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio. 

“The numbers don’t lie — this policy is reducing opportunity for Manitobans who want to work in the skilled trades,” said Ron Hambley, president of the Winnipeg Construction Association. “Employers are being forced to turn away apprentices at a time when our industry desperately needs to grow the workforce.” 

“There’s no evidence that the 2:1 ratio compromised safety or training quality,” said Shawn Wood, president of the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba. “But there’s clear evidence now that the 1:1 ratio is limiting opportunity. It’s time to correct course.” 

The associations noted that Manitoba and Canada are entering a period of historic investment in housing, health care and defence infrastructure — projects that will depend on attracting and retaining skilled tradespeople. “We need to be pulling more people into the trades, not pushing them away,” said Hambley. 

The associations note that Manitoba’s construction industry is already facing a shortage of nearly 3,000 skilled workers, according to BuildForce Canada, and that most provinces have more flexible apprenticeship ratios. 

In a joint letter to Minister Jamie Moses, the industry coalition urged the government to reinstate the 2:1 ratio, calling it a “proven, balanced model that supports both safety and opportunity.” 

“We support this government’s commitment to building the workforce of the future,” said Hambley. “But this decision is holding that workforce back.” 

-30- 

Media Contacts:
Darryl Harrison, Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy, WCA 
darryl@winnipegconstruction.ca, 204-775-8664 ext: 2249 

Shawn Wood, Executive Director, CARM
carmed@carm.ca, 204-571-0041

Click here for appendices providing data on apprenticeship numbers since 2019 and a comparison on apprenticeship ratios by province. 

The Winnipeg Construction Association is an incorporated, not-for-profit trade association representing commercial contractors and suppliers throughout Manitoba. We currently have over 750 member firms, including manufacturers, suppliers, financial institutions, lawyers, insurance and bonding companies and brokers. 

Construction Association of Rural Manitoba is an incorporated, not-for-profit trade association representing commercial contractors and suppliers throughout Manitoba. We currently have 200 member companies, including manufacturers, suppliers, financial institutions, lawyers, insurance and bonding companies and brokers.

Thanks for joining us at Builders’ Night! Here are the winning ticket numbers for our Builders’ Auction. If you have a winning ticket, please contact us at wca@winnipegconstruction.ca to claim your prize:

*Claimed* Pair of Jets Box Seats: 047046

*Claimed* Bidet Toilet Seat: 047201

*Claimed* Spooky Skeletons and Lotto Package: 047211

*Claimed* Yeti Package: 043571

*Claimed* Golf Package: 192508

*Claimed* Samsonite Luggage Set: 181388

*Claimed* Date Night Dinner Package: 181350

*Claimed* Tory Burch Package: 192744

Robot Vacuum: 143616

*Claimed* Ninja Slushi Machine: 047076

*Claimed* Thermea Gift Card: 192737