The Manitoba government is implementing legislative and regulatory changes to improve the efficiency, transparency and accountability of building permitting processes in Manitoba, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today.
“These changes establish an independent technical adjudicative process for building permitting disputes and performance standards for building permitting processes,” said Reyes. “Changes will support the consistent application of building codes across the province and ensure that permitting decisions are made within predictable and reasonable time frames.”
Following a public engagement process, the Manitoba government is moving forward to proclaim sections of the Building and Electrical Permitting Improvement Act, the Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation and the Performance Standards Regulation.
The Permit Dispute Resolution Regulation, under the new Permit Dispute Resolution Act, establishes the appeal process for disputes related to building permitting decisions. Permit applicants will now have a formalized appeal mechanism for cases where they believe a permitting authority is wrong in withholding a permit, or issuing an order on code matters.
The Performance Standards Regulation, under the Buildings Act, specifies the time periods that permitting authorities have to respond to applicants, make decisions on applications, and conduct inspections.
“These important changes will enhance opportunities for economic growth within the province by providing builders and developers with reasonable timeframes for permitting decisions. Builders and developers will be able to plan and schedule their development activities based on provincewide mandated timelines,” said Reyes.
Performance standards will be phased in over two years to allow permitting authorities sufficient time to make any required operational changes, added Reyes.
The minister noted the changes will come into force on March 1, 2024.
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For more information:
- Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
- Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
- Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.