Manitoba Construction Associations Demand Review of Jobs Agreement Amid Consultation Concerns

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Manitoba construction industry associations are calling for an independent review of the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) due to concerns over a lack of consultation and transparency in its development.

WINNIPEG – A coalition of Manitoba construction industry associations has raised alarms regarding the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA), urging for an independent examination of the policy following revelations of insufficient consultation during its formulation. Documents acquired via the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) indicate a troubling lack of public engagement in the development of what is being described as a pivotal change in the province's public infrastructure procurement methods.
The Manitoba government has characterized the MJA as a policy aimed at favoring local workers on major government infrastructure projects. The intent is to enhance wages, benefits, and safety measures for workers, while simultaneously fostering local employment and promoting workforce development through apprenticeships. Additionally, the MJA seeks to establish uniform terms for both union and non-union trades.
In contrast, several key industry groups—including the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA), the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM), and the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA)—have expressed serious reservations about the MJA. They argue that the agreement is fraught with issues, a sentiment echoed by findings in the FIPPA documents. These documents reveal that the MJA was drafted by representatives from the Manitoba Building Trades and presented to the provincial government on July 23, 2025. Notably, the provincial government and the Building Trades held only a single meeting on August 26, 2025, to discuss the agreement before it was signed just 13 days later.
Darryl Harrison, director of stakeholder engagement with the WCA, emphasized the significance of the MJA, stating, "This is not a minor administrative policy. The MJA fundamentally alters procurement conditions for publicly funded infrastructure projects, affecting contractor participation and changing labor administration practices, with implications for billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded construction work. Manitobans deserve a higher level of consultation, transparency, and procurement analysis prior to the implementation of a framework of this scale."
In response to the criticisms, an open letter titled 'Setting the Record Straight on the Manitoba Jobs Agreement' was posted on the Manitoba Building Trades Council's X account on May 19. This letter refutes claims that the MJA restricts Manitoba workers from participating in projects, stating, "Contractors are able to bring their existing workforce, and Manitobans—both union and non-union—are currently engaged in these projects."
The letter further contends that the only restrictions on participation stem from decisions made by specific organizations to discourage or boycott involvement under the terms set by the MJA, which includes prevailing wage, benefit, and apprenticeship standards. According to the Building Trades, this is not an exclusionary practice but a voluntary choice made by certain groups within the industry.
Moreover, the construction associations argue that the FIPPA documents challenge the notion that Project Labour Agreements (PLAs) are standard procurement mechanisms for typical public infrastructure projects. Historically, Manitoba has utilized PLAs for significant megaprojects, such as the Red River Floodway Expansion and various Manitoba Hydro initiatives. Chris Lorenc, president and CEO of the MHCA, pointed out that the records illustrate how PLAs have been selectively applied to massive projects requiring exceptional labor coordination, rather than serving as broad procurement frameworks for routine public infrastructure.
In light of these findings, the three associations have formally requested the Manitoba ombudsman to conduct a review of the MJA's development process and to recommend a suspension of its further implementation. Shawn Wood, the executive director of CARM, noted, "This matter has escalated beyond a typical policy disagreement. It has emerged as a critical public interest issue involving transparency, competition, governance, worker choice, and accountability for taxpayer expenditures."

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