Sustainable Building Manitoba

10/02/2026

Builders, designers and contractors: Manitoba's 2025 code changes are out for consultation, and they include the province's first energy tier increase. 🏗️

📅 June 22, 2027: the 2025 national codes take effect

📅 January 1, 2028: Part 9 moves to Tier 3, and NECB buildings move to Tier 2

The cost case is there. The province's own assessment puts Tier 3 at about $4,850 for a home built at today's minimum, with an 8.4-year payback. That's roughly $27 a month on a mortgage, against about $48 a month in energy savings.

What's missing is a date for the next steps in the tiers (hopefully on an accelerated timeline). Builders need certainty to plan designs, training and crews.

Follow the link below to review all the official documents:
https://engagemb.ca/2025-national-model-codes

Consultation closes October 23 at noon. Follow the link above to have your say!

08/19/2026

ADOPT HIGHER TIER BUILDING CODES IN MANITOBA - DON’T WAIT!

It’s clear - many Manitobans care about long-term affordability and quality of life which means energy efficiency buildings.

Published this week in Winnipeg Free Press, a local Manitoba senior’s opinion piece urges for the adoption of energy efficient building codes - a decision that is currently under review

“As a condo buyer, I don’t get to decide how well-built or well-insulated my future building will be. That depends entirely on what the province required, or what the developer chose to provide beyond code requirements, at the time the condo was built.

It also matters to my pocketbook: I am on a more fixed income now and a poorly insulated building means higher heating and cooling costs for as long as I own the unit...

I am old enough to remember the 1970s oil shocks, which taught us that energy security can’t be taken for granted...

We need to adopt the higher tiers now and work with the federal government so the building industry has time to gain the training and capacity to meet them. Waiting until the deadline will only mean more delays later.

In a few years, when I am ready to buy a condo, my hope is that well-insulated, net-zero housing will be available, housing that helps me adapt to the extreme weather of the future and building codes are what will help make that a reality.”

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08/14/2026

THOMPSON: Coming your way in October - attend this IN-PERSON workshop to get ahead of future changes to Manitoba’s building codes.

If your work involves codes, this free in-person workshop is built for you:

→ Building Inspectors ensuring compliance across the region.
→ Engineers (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical) designing for what's next.
→ Architects and Building Designers shaping Thompson and northern Manitoba's built environment.
→ Contractors and Construction Professionals leading ex*****on on-site.
→ Anyone working in or around energy codes in northern Manitoba.

One day in Thompson means you don't have to travel to Winnipeg to get ahead of the curve.

Get a clear read on where the code is heading — and what it means for your next project — before it lands on your desk.

This is a limited time opportunity to attend an in-person Manitoba-centric building codes session in your region, on this critical topic. It’s a great chance to connect with local colleagues and fellow building professionals.

Register today, before seats fill up: https://www.sustainablebuildingmanitoba.ca/cap-code-training/

Additional sessions of this course are available in Winnipeg and Brandon.

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08/11/2026

BRANDON: The building codes you're designing for are about to change. Get ahead of it - this October.

If your work involves codes, this free in-person workshop is built for you:
→ Building Inspectors ensuring compliance across the region.
→ Engineers (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical) designing for what's next.
→ Architects and Building Designers shaping Brandon and rural Manitoba's built environment. → Contractors and Construction Professionals leading ex*****on on-site.
→ Anyone working in or around energy codes in western Manitoba.

One day in Brandon means you don't have to travel to Winnipeg to get ahead of the curve.

Get a clear read on where the code is heading — and what it means for your next project — before it lands on your desk.

Register today, before seats fill up: https://www.sustainablebuildingmanitoba.ca/cap-code-training/
Additional sessions of this course are available in Winnipeg and Thompson.

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07/20/2026

Strawbale House Tour is this coming Wednesday - very few tickets remaining, be sure to secure your spot today!

🏡 Ever wondered how a strawbale house holds up after 20 years?

Come find out! Sustainable Building Manitoba is hosting a tour of one of Winnipeg's original strawbale homes, right in the Meadowood neighbourhood.

The original owners & builders will walk you through the build, mechanical upgrades, and years of performance data. Plus, they’ll share the lessons they learned along the way.

This home is on the market now, so this is a great chance to see it before it's gone!

📅 July 22nd
🕓 Tours at 5:30pm & 7:00pm (~1 hour each)
👥 Only 20 spots per tour
📍 Meadowood Neighbourhood in Winnipeg

🎟️ Get your ticket now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stawbale-house-tour-tickets-1993358287297?aff=fb

07/14/2026

🏡 Ever wondered how a strawbale house holds up after 20 years?

Come find out! Sustainable Building Manitoba is hosting a tour of one of Winnipeg's original strawbale homes, right in the Meadowood neighbourhood.

The original owners & builders will walk you through the build, mechanical upgrades, and years of performance data. Plus, they’ll share the lessons they learned along the way.

This home is on the market now, so this is a great chance to see it before it's gone!

📅 July 22nd
🕓 Tours at 5:30pm & 7:00pm (~1 hour each)
👥 Only 20 spots per tour
📍 Meadowood Neighbourhood in Winnipeg

🎟️ Get your ticket now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stawbale-house-tour-tickets-1993358287297?aff=fb

06/04/2026

Sustainable Building Manitoba would like to thank everyone for a successful Annual General Meeting last week, at Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company.

We did some trivia to learn more about the past year’s activities and also what is coming up next for SBM. Attendees got to share their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues around sustainable building in Manitoba. This was alongside all the regular AGM activities like reviewing financials and learning the results of the board elections that includes:

Welcoming new board members
Michael Pankratz
Calene Baylis
Jason Cruickshank

Along with reelected board members
Curt Hull
Dudley Thompson
Jessica Piper
Lindsay Robinson
Diane Bastiaanssen

Who will join existing board members
Amy Tuck
Cindy Choy
Daniel Enns
Melanie Chatfield
Zane Mckinnon

Massive thank you to outgoing board members for all the energy and expertise
Rob Spewak
Kale Oze
Ahmed Yasien Soliman
Michael Schenk

This was an excellent chance to come together and discuss new strategies that help drive Manitoba’s building towards a sustainable future.

This AGM was a great reminder of how incredible the sustainable building community is in Manitoba and SBM cannot be more proud to be a part of it!

If you are interested in getting more involved with SBM, reach out anytime!

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06/03/2026

🌿Today is National Green Building Day - a moment to recognize the builders, renovators, and homeowners across Canada who are making our homes healthier, more efficient, and better for the planet. Huge thank you to everyone who is part of this important movement!

Here in Manitoba, that work is happening in neighbourhoods just like yours - better insulation, smarter heating, tighter homes that cost less to run and are easier on the environment.

Want to be part of the solution? We're developing the Manitoba Home Retrofit Guides, practical, made-for-Manitoba resources to help homeowners feel confident tackling energy upgrades. Real local stories are at the heart of it.

If you've done a retrofit project or are planning one, we want to hear from you.

Sign up to share your experience and help your neighbours take the leap. 👇
https://www.sustainablebuildingmanitoba.ca/manitoba-home-retrofit-guides-get-involved/

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05/26/2026

Are you proud of your home retrofit? Or are you currently planning one? Either way, Sustainable Building Manitoba wants to hear from you!

We are building the Manitoba Home Retrofit Guides, a free step-by-step energy-efficiency resource to help Manitoba homeowners retrofit with confidence.

Your real-world experience helps us make them better.

Your story can inspire the next Manitoba homeowner to not just renovate - but retrofit.

Visit our website to get involved, and learn more about this process: https://www.sustainablebuildingmanitoba.ca/manitoba-home-retrofit-guides-get-involved/

Not doing a retrofit, but know someone who’s doing one? Pass this info on to them!

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05/26/2026

THIS WEEK: THURSDAY NIGHT
Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company, 483 Berry St, Winnipeg.
Doors at 5pm.

The SBM AGM is where Manitoba's sustainable building community gets updated on the year's past and upcoming work AND an incredible opportunity to connect with others who share your sustainable building values.

Community is a critical part of what fuels the work SBM is able to do.

Whether you're looking to get more formally involved by joining a committee or lending your expertise, or you simply want to get a better sense of the work happening across Manitoba, this is a great place to plug in.

Come ready to reconnect, meet someone new, and leave inspired.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sbm-agm-social-time-tickets-1987856011843?aff=lin
SBM Members: FREE
Non-members: $20

Not a member yet? Join SBM and attend for free: https://www.sustainablebuildingmanitoba.ca/join/

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