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Advocacy
Update
from BOMA
Highlights from the • A slate of incredibly popular events done in partnership with a number of
past year, and what’s at which our members connect, other industry groups, including the
in store for 2018 including ten monthly membership Winnipeg Construction Association,
luncheons, the Manitoba Building
the Manitoba Association of Architects
Expo, two sold out golf tournaments, and the Association of Consulting
and our new BOMA Summer Mixer. Engineers of Manitoba, to name a few.
It is also gratifying to continue to We’re also working with other parties
advance BOMA’s advocacy agenda. to ensure that our industry’s voice is
Our association’s strategic plan calls heard by the Public Utilities Board
By Tom Thiessen for BOMA to “advocate on matters (PUB) as it considers Manitoba
that affect the long-term viability of
Hydro’s latest General Rate
Executive Director the industry.” And one of the priorities Application (GRA).
BOMA Manitoba
associated with that goal is to engage
in joint advocacy efforts with other BOMA, alongside the Canadian
industry groups. Manfacturers & Exporters (Manitoba
As we embark on our association’s Division) and the Manitoba Hotel
36th year, I’m very pleased to, on So it’s fitting that two of our ongoing Association, has engaged the firm Hill
behalf of the board, report on some of advocacy initiatives are collaborations Sokalski Walsh Olson LLP to act as
BOMA’s recent successes. with other associations. legal counsel for the General Service
Small (GSS) and General Service
A few highlights from 2017 included: First, our ongoing work as part of the Medium (GSM) customer classes.
City of Winnipeg’s Industry Advisory
• A growing membership of more Group (IAG) has seen improved We’re pleased the GSS/GSM
than 300 member representatives, communication from the City customer class has been granted
representing 219 firms;
regarding construction-related permits intervener status at the PUB
• Well received publications to keep and occupancy permits. hearings, and we are hopeful that our
our members informed, including our industries’ concerns are taken into
bi-annual INSIDER Magazine, annual Some recently completed initiatives consideration as the PUB weighs
BOMA Building Directory, and monthly include a detailed memo outlining Manitoba Hydro’s proposed annual
BOMA eNews; the requirements for occupancy rate increases. Those proposed
permits, which is now available on the
• Special memberships and ‘Advocacy’ page of the BOMA website. increases will certainly have
professional development implications for our members and
opportunities via our Building We’ve also provided input into the the buildings they manage; BOMA’s
Operators & Engineers Group City’s new online search tool for participation in the PUB process is
and Building Young Professionals occupancy permits and construction critical.
initiatives, as well our annual BOMA permits; both of those search tools Finally, we have been vocal – from the
Breakfast Series and various CIET and are now operational. The work that beginning – on the issue of proposed
BOMI certifications; BOMA is undertaking with the IAG is impact fees (development charges)
32 BOMA MANITOBA INSIDER | ISSUE 8 | WINTER 2017/18
