Skip to content
May 19, 2026

NEWS RELEASE: FIPPA Release Raises Serious Concerns Regarding Development of Manitoba Jobs Agreement

WINNIPEG, May 19, 2026 – Manitoba construction industry associations are calling for greater transparency and an independent review regarding the development and implementation of the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) following the release of documents obtained through Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) requests.

The records raise significant concerns regarding how the MJA framework was developed, the absence of consultation prior to implementation, and the apparent lack of publicly available procurement analysis supporting one of the most significant changes to Manitoba public infrastructure procurement in decades.

The documents reveal:

  • The Manitoba Jobs Agreement was developed by Manitoba Building Trades representatives and submitted to the provincial government on July 23, 2025
  • The Province and Manitoba Building Trades held only one meeting on August 26, 2025 to discuss the Manitoba Jobs Agreement
  • The agreement was signed only 13 days later.

“This is not a minor administrative policy,” said Darryl Harrison, Director of Stakeholder Engagement with the Winnipeg Construction Association. “The MJA fundamentally changes procurement conditions on publicly funded infrastructure projects, affects contractor participation, alters labour administration practices, and impacts billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded construction work. Manitobans should expect a significantly higher level of consultation, transparency, and procurement analysis before a framework of this magnitude is implemented.”

The associations also point to the apparent lack of analysis prior to signing the MJA relating to:

  • Bidder participation
  • Competition impact
  • Independent cost modelling
  • Compliance cost analysis
  • Value-for-money evidence supporting broader expansion of the MJA framework

The FIPPA materials further undermine suggestions that Project Labour Agreements (PLAs) are standard procurement tools for ordinary public infrastructure projects.

According to the Province’s own internal “Jurisdictional Scan” presentation:

  • Only 36 PLA projects were identified (including private projects) across British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba;
  • Average project values ranged from approximately $1.6 billion to $10.9 billion;
  • Manitoba’s primary historic PLA examples involved extraordinary megaprojects such as the Red River Floodway Expansion and Manitoba Hydro projects;
  • Project timelines ranged from 4 to 16 years.

“These records show PLAs have historically been used selectively on massive megaprojects with extraordinary labour coordination requirements — not as broad procurement frameworks for routine public infrastructure,” said Chris Lorenc, President and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.

Industry associations have requested an independent oversight review into the development, governance, and financial structures associated with the Manitoba Jobs Agreement. The three construction associations have written to the Manitoba Ombudsman to ask for a review of the process to develop the MJA and recommend a pause in it further use.

“This issue has moved well beyond a normal policy disagreement,” said Shawn Wood, Executive Director of the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba. “It is now a serious public-interest procurement issue involving transparency, competition, governance, worker choice, and accountability for taxpayer dollars.”

The Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, and Construction Association of Rural Manitoba continue to support apprenticeship growth, workforce development, fair wages, and strong labour standards. However, the associations maintain that public infrastructure procurement must remain transparent, evidence-based, broadly consultative, and open to all qualified Manitobans.

–30–

Media Contact:
Darryl Harrison
Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
Winnipeg Construction Association
darryl@winnipegconstruction.ca
204-906-8944

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.

The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is a non-profit association who advocates for the heavy construction and related industries in Manitoba. MHCA represents more than 400 contractors, suppliers, and financial companies, promoting sustainable investment in core infrastructure to support economic growth and social development benefiting our province and country.

The 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.

May 14, 2026

Spring Golf Recap

What a way to tee off golf season! WCA Members and Guests were treated to what was easily the nicest day of the year so far, as 288 golfers soaked in the sunshine at Pine Ridge and Elmhurst Golf Courses at our annual Spring Golf Tournament.

Congratulations to the team from Schneider Electric Canada made up of Dustin Kelly, Kevin Marchuk, Brett Kuran and Aaron Contant who fired a truly incredible score of -18 (54) at Pine Ridge Golf Course. This is by far the best round ever recorded at any WCA Golf Tournament, and they easily came in first place. Well done! They’ll each take home a $25 Liquor Mart gift card and a dozen Titleist balls for their efforts.

You can find all the photos from the day here.

Our other prize winners are:

Elmhurst Longest Drive (Hole 17 – Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker)

Men: Jordan Ivanyshyn, Sunbelt Rental (Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker)

Women: Shea Pyle, Ellement (Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker)

Elmhurst Closest to the Pin (Hole 14 – $100 Golf Town Giftcard)

Men: Chris McRae, PCL Constructors Canada

Women: Soo Lee, Bockstael Construction

Pine Ridge Longest Drive (Hole 17 – Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker)

Men: Curtis Duester, Wallace & Wallace

Women: Lindsay Mysak, AMC Foam Technologies

Pine Ridge Closest to the Pin (Hole 14 – Playmaker Touchless GPS Golf Watch)

Men: Doug Riach, Absolute Petroleum

Women: Natalia Pedersen, Multicrete

Door Prizes (Yellow and White tickets)

108487 – Bucket Golf Game

108677 – One dozen Ladies Reva Golf Balls and $50 to Golf Town

108598 – One dozen WCA logoed Bridgestone Golf Balls and $50 to Golf Town

108726 – WCA Trolley Cooler and Beer to kickoff summer

Sponsor Prizes

Heated Chair from XPressions – Cary Schotchenko, Absolute Petroleum

Blackstone Grill from Sunbelt Rentals – Aloke Rajbhadary, Bird

YCLM Prize Pack – Shawyn Friesen, Penn-co

If you’re a winner please email wca@winnipegconstruction.ca to arrange pickup of your prize.

Of course, thank you to all our sponsors for making the tournament possible!

April 29, 2026

NEWS RELEASE: Ottawa is Spending Billions to Fix a Trades Shortage Manitoba is Making Worse

WCA and CARM Call on Kinew Government to Immediately Restore 2:1 Apprenticeship Ratio

WINNIPEG, April 29, 2026 — The federal government is investing billions of dollars into Canadian Skilled Trades, but a backwards policy from Manitoba’s government means some of our young people will be left behind.

The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) are applauding the federal announcement of $6 billion to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new skilled trades workers by 2030‑31. The Carney government has recognized what the construction industry has long known: skilled trades are the backbone of Canada’s economy, and investing in the next generation of tradespeople is investing in Canada’s future. This is bold, necessary and long overdue.

That investment makes what is happening in Manitoba all the more frustrating. While the federal government is spending billions to grow the trades workforce, Manitoba’s 1:1 journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio is actively shrinking it. Ottawa is opening doors for young Manitobans who want careers in the trades. The Province is closing them.

WCA and CARM are calling on the Province of Manitoba to immediately restore the 2:1 journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio — and to align Manitoba’s apprenticeship policy with the national direction the federal government has just established.

Manitoba’s Numbers Tell the Story

Since the Kinew government imposed the 1:1 ratio, the data is unambiguous:

  •  New apprentice registrations fell from 3,128 in 2023-24 to 2,730 in 2024-25 — a drop of nearly 400 in a single year.

  •  Active apprentices declined from 11,878 to 11,628.

The math is simple: a 1:1 ratio means every journeyperson on a job site can train only one apprentice. Restore the ratio to 2:1 and Manitoba employers can immediately double the number of young people entering the trades. At a time when Canada is declaring a trades shortage a national priority, Manitoba is limiting its own pipeline.

The federal Team Canada Strong program offers apprentices up to $16,000 in income support during in-class training, a $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus, and employers up to $10,000 per apprentice in first-year wage subsidies. Based on Manitoba’s registration decline since the 1:1 ratio was imposed, WCA and CARM estimate that Manitoba workers and employers could miss out on more than $50 million in federal apprenticeship support over the five-year life of the program — money that will flow to workers and employers in every other province while Manitoba’s own policy keeps employers from taking apprentices. It is difficult to square the Premier’s ambition to be a ‘have’ province with a policy that actively narrows opportunities for Manitoba workers and employers.

“The federal government has just told us, in clear terms and backed by $6 billion, that Canada needs more trades workers — not fewer. Manitoba’s 1:1 ratio is a direct contradiction of that national priority. Every year we leave this policy in place is another year of young Manitobans who didn’t get the apprenticeship they wanted, and another year of employers who couldn’t take them on. The Kinew government can fix this today. There is no good reason to wait.”

— Darryl Harrison, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Winnipeg Construction Association

A Disservice to Young Manitobans

Apprenticeship is one of the most reliable pathways to a stable, well-paying career available to young Canadians. When the Province limits the number of apprenticeship positions available, it is limiting opportunity. In rural Manitoba, where contractor crews are often small, the 1:1 ratio can mean the difference between a young person getting a start in the trades and not getting one at all.

“For rural contractors, this isn’t an abstract policy debate — it’s a daily reality. A small crew with two or three journeypersons can only bring on two or three apprentices under the current rules. Go back to 2:1 and we can double that. These are real jobs, real careers, and real futures for young people in communities across Manitoba. The Province should be making it easier for our members to bring young people into the trades, not harder.”

— Shawn Wood, Executive Director, Construction Association of Rural Manitoba

The Ask

The WCA and CARM are calling on the Kinew government to immediately restore the journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio to 2:1 across all trades.

-30-

About the Winnipeg Construction Association

The Winnipeg Construction Association represents the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) construction industry in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, with members spanning general contractors, trade contractors, and manufacturers and suppliers. WCA advocates on behalf of an industry that employs tens of thousands of Manitobans and contributes billions to the provincial economy annually.

About the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba

The Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) represents ICI construction contractors and industry stakeholders across rural Manitoba. CARM advocates for policies that support a competitive, skilled, and accessible construction workforce in communities throughout the province.

Media Contacts

Darryl Harrison Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Winnipeg Construction Association  darryl@winnipegconstruction.ca

Shawn Wood Executive Director, Construction Association of Rural Manitoba carmed@carm.ca

April 17, 2026

NEWS RELEASE: Winnipeg Construction Association Supports City of Winnipeg Pilot Project Using CCDC Contracts

WINNIPEG, April 17, 2026 – The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) is applauding the City of Winnipeg on its announced pilot project usage of Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC)  contracts on certain construction projects. The pilot project is an important step towards the use of standardized documents.

“WCA has been advocating with the City of Winnipeg to adopt CCDC documents for at least 20 years,” said Darryl Harrison, WCA’s Director, Stakeholder Engagement. “CCDC contracts are the industry standard – this is a great step for the city”.

CCDC Contracts are nationally recognised, industry-standard legal agreements designed to balance risk between owners, contractors and consultants. They are developed through a consultative process with representatives from all sectors in the construction industry and are designed to ensure clarity and fairness for all parties involved.

“Using CCDC contracts gives the industry confidence they’re signing a fair deal with the City of Winnipeg. This will lead to more bidders on projects, meaning more competitive bids and ultimately better value for Winnipeg taxpayers,” said Harrison. “Many contractors felt the current construction documents used by the city did not share risk fairly, and they chose not to bid. Adopting CCDC contracts solves that problem.”

WCA thanks the leadership of Mayor Scott Gillingham, CAO Joe Dunford and CCO Tom Sparrow for their leadership on this file. We look forward to continuing to consult with the city on the further adoption of CCDC Contracts.

-30-

Media Contact: Darryl Harrison, Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

darryl@winnipegconstruction.ca, 204-775-8664 ext: 2249

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

April 13, 2026

NEWS RELEASE: Winnipeg Construction Association Applauds Hot Water Requirement at Large Construction Sites

WINNIPEG , April 13, 2026 – The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) welcomed the news that the province is requiring hot water be available for handwashing on large construction sites. The change follows a five-year review of the Workplace Safety and Health Act, which WCA participated in.

“We’ve been advocating for the hot water handwashing requirement since at least 2022,” said Darryl Harrison, WCA Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy. “This is just one step we can take to raise the bar for Manitoba’s construction industry. Improving working conditions like these helps our members attract and retain a skilled, diverse workforce.”

The amendments to the act state that large construction sites must provide hot water for handwashing, including industrial, commercial and institutional projects that exceed 600 square metres, are more than three storeys high or have more than 25 workers. The new requirements will come into effect on April 1, 2027.

“Giving contractors a year to prepare for the transition is reasonable. We look forward to seeing the hot water requirements come into effect in the new year. It’s a meaningful change that workers on these projects will surely appreciate,” said Harrison.

-30-

Media Contact: Darryl Harrison, Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

darryl@winnipegconstruction.ca, 204-775-8664 ext: 2249

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

April 6, 2026

Darryl Harrison appointed President and CEO of the Winnipeg Construction Association

The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darryl Harrison as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.

“Darryl brings a strong understanding of the construction industry and the role WCA plays in supporting it,” said Peter Bernatsky, Chair of the WCA Board of Directors. “He is a trusted voice among members, has built meaningful relationships across the sector, and has consistently demonstrated the ability to translate industry challenges into clear, practical advocacy. The Board is confident in his leadership as WCA continues to advance the interests of Manitoba’s construction industry.”

Harrison currently serves as Director of Stakeholder Engagement at WCA, where he has led advocacy efforts on key issues including procurement practices, labour policy, prompt payment, and industry development for the past seven years. He has worked closely with members, industry partners, and all levels of government to ensure the industry’s voice is clearly understood and effectively represented.

“I’m honoured to take on this role at WCA,” said Harrison. “Construction is a cornerstone of Manitoba’s economy, and the work our members do every day is critical to building and sustaining our communities. WCA has an important role to play in ensuring the industry remains strong, competitive, and positioned for the future.”

At a time when workforce pressures and procurement practices are placing increasing strain on the industry, Harrison emphasized a clear and practical focus for the organization moving forward. His priorities will include strengthening member value, advancing workforce development, advocating for fair and transparent procurement, and reinforcing WCA’s role as a trusted convener and voice for the industry.

Harrison also acknowledged the leadership that has helped position WCA for continued success. “I want to thank Ron Hambley for his leadership and the strong foundation that he has built over the past 26 years. Ron’s steady leadership has made WCA what it is today and he was an excellent mentor for me over the past seven years. I look forward to working with our WCA Team, our membership, and partners to continue building on that momentum.”

Founded in 1904, the Winnipeg Construction Association represents approximately 750 member firms across Manitoba’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sector. WCA provides education, networking, advocacy, and construction information services to support a strong and sustainable industry. Together, we build Manitoba.

April 2, 2026

WCA Newsletter for April 2

The April 2 edition of The WCA Newsletter, which includes a look at the 2026 provincial budget, is now available here.

March 19, 2026

NEWS RELEASE: Construction Industry says Manitoba Jobs Agreements (MJA) are filled with Red Flags

March 19, 2026

Construction Industry says Manitoba Jobs Agreements (MJA) are filled with Red Flags

Three major associations representing the majority of vertical and heavy construction industry across Manitoba have requested Manitoba’s Auditor General review the 85-cent-per-hour per worker charge collected on MJA-covered projects that flows directly to a union body on top of existing union dues — with no public oversight, no explanation, and no end in sight. Taxpayers are paying for it.

WINNIPEG, MB — Every hour worked on a Manitoba Jobs Agreement covered construction project now comes with a hidden price tag — 85 cents, collected from contractors, handed directly to a union organization, with no public accounting of where it goes or who decided it was the right amount. That’s 85-cents per hour per worker. On a major MJA-covered infrastructure project, that’s not pocket change. That’s potentially millions of dollars diverted from public investment with zero transparency.

Today, Manitoba’s three largest construction associations — the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA), the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA), and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) — are formally requesting that the Auditor General of Manitoba investigate this fee and the broader accountability failures of the provincial government’s Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA).

“This fee is being sent directly to the Manitoba Building Trades without any clear oversight. Nobody in government has explained how the number was set, what it’s supposed to fund, or who’s watching the money. At the end of the day, taxpayers are the ones paying for it.”

— Ron Hambley, President, Winnipeg Construction Association

The Fee Is Just the Beginning

The unaccountable fee is the most glaring problem — but the associations say the MJA is broken at a structural level. The agreement requires that unionized workers be hired first on covered projects, effectively locking out the vast majority of Manitoba’s construction workforce.

According to Statistics Canada, approximately 88 per cent of Manitoba’s construction workforce is non-unionized.

Under the MJA, open-shop contractors can start a project with their own existing workforce — but that’s where their control ends. Any new workers brought on during a project are subject to union hiring preference, and even the use of their own workforce requires union approval. In practice, unions hold veto power over staffing decisions on MJA-covered work. For the 88 per cent of Manitoba’s construction workforce that chose not to join a union, that means their job opportunities on these projects depend on union sign-off. Competition shrinks. Costs rise. Manitobans end up paying more to build less.

“Transparency and accountability for public funds are absolutely critical. Neither the industry nor Manitoba taxpayers have been given a clear explanation of how this fee was determined or what it is intended to fund. That is not acceptable.”

— Chris Lorenc, President & CEO, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

Rural Manitoba Gets Hit Hardest

The MJA’s union-first hiring requirements don’t just hurt competition in Winnipeg — they actively disadvantage workers in rural and northern Manitoba, where unionized labour is far less available and local contractors have built skilled, loyal workforces over decades.

“The MJA gives unions approval rights over the workforce on covered projects and hands them first access to any new hiring. Open-shop companies can start with their own people — but the moment they need to bring someone new on, unions go to the front of the line. That restricts competition, drives up costs, and puts rural Manitoba workers at a disadvantage getting work in their own communities. Manitobans will end up paying more and getting less.”

— Shawn Wood, Executive Director, Construction Association of Rural Manitoba

What the Industry Is Asking

The three associations want the Auditor General to examine how the fee was set, who governs the collected funds, how those funds are reported publicly, and whether the entire financial structure of the MJA meets basic standards of transparency and value for money in public procurement.

Beyond the Auditor General, the associations are calling on the provincial government to fix the MJA’s structural flaws: restore fair and open competition on public projects, end discriminatory hiring requirements, and ensure that Manitoba’s construction workers — union and non-union alike — have a fair shot at building their province.

“Manitoba needs a construction policy that supports good jobs, strong workforce development, and fair competition. Manitoba’s construction workers, contractors, and taxpayers all deserve to be treated fairly.”

— Ron Hambley, President, Winnipeg Construction Association

About the Associations

The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA), the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA), and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) collectively represent a substantial majority of Manitoba’s construction sector, including general contractors, trade contractors, and allied industry firms operating across the province.

Media Contacts

Darryl Harrison, Director, Stakeholder Engagement — Winnipeg Construction Association

Phone: 204-906-8944; Email: darryl@winnipegconstructionassociation.ca

Chris Lorenc, President & CEO — Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

Phone: 204 230 0994; Email clorenc@mhca.mb.ca

Shawn Wood, Executive Director — Construction Association of Rural Manitoba

Phone: 431 541 6559; Email: swood@carm.ca

— 30 —

February 24, 2026

In search of a better way to build Manitoba

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.

February 20, 2026

Meet WCA’s 2026 Board of Directors

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.