Our HEAT Classic Tournament is being held at Rossmere Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, July 8th. Registration will open Tuesday, May 12 at 10:00 am online. Keep in mind this tournament sold out in under 2 hours last year. If you want to register a team, please add this date to your calendar and continue watching our Wednesday Weekly updates so you know how to register when the time comes!

Interested in being a sponsor? This tournament sells out every year and we’d love to have you be a part of its success.

Please reach out to us at memberservices@heatmb.ca for more information if any of these ideas interest you!

• Door Prizes Sponsor
• Hydration Station Hole Sponsor
• Golf Club Grand Prize Sponsor

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I know the proposed amendments to the Occupiers’ Liability Act (previously Bill 203) is an important issues for HEAT members. I’ve written a City of Winnipeg letter of support for the proposed amendment – requiring written notice within 60 days for personal injury claims arising from snow or ice on private property. Sixty days establishes a clear and reasonable notice requirement that would allow property owners and snow removal contractors to investigate claims in a timely manner, while evidence and site conditions are still available.

From a tax payer perspective, improved predictability and efficiency is beneficial to the broader public. We all know that risk management costs are often passed on to taxpayers through higher costs, so work we can proactively do to reduce risk benefits everyone. From a municipal perspective, this approach promotes fairness, clarity, and responsible risk management.

I recognize that discussions with the Province are ongoing but wanted to assure HEAT members that the City of Winnipeg supports continued consideration of this amendment and appreciates the collaborative efforts of HEAT and other stakeholders in advancing it.

Janice Lukes

Chair, Public Works

City Councillor, Waverley West

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Spring Road Restrictions Well, it’s approaching that time of the year when the frost will come out of the ground and things start to get mushy for awhile. The joys of building roads and driving on a flood plain. While as of writing they are not yet in effect, all of us will be notified when the engineers decide on a start date. All the info you need to know can be found at  https://www.gov.mb.ca/mti/srr/index.html, including info on which roads are affected and how to calculate allowable axle weights. Headingley HTIS Re-opening Well, after about a year we’ve just reopened the Headingley Traffic Inspection Station last Friday. Yes, we are aware of the irony of opening on Friday the 13th. LOL For anyone who ever had to come into the old building you can appreciate how badly it needed to be replaced. It was far beyond its service life and no longer reflected the needs of the industry. The new site has many improvements for both officers and drivers, with improved traffic flow, safer inspection areas, and the ability to better handle Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs) and longer exit lanes to better allow speed to be increased before merging with traffic flow. Officers who were assigned to other locations during the shut down will be returning to their base location, but don’t worry you’ll still see them and others still out and about on patrol, including on Hwy 2, to meet drivers that are actively trying to miss the opportunity to visit the new Headingley site. Question about Trailers not owned by Carriers I received a question from a HEAT member who brought forth the scenario of carriers doing work with leased trailers that are not their own, where the company they lease from are not honoring their responsibilities to fix the trailer when there are issues. They were wondering who would get the points and/or Out Of Service (OOS) against their profile, the carrier or the owner of the trailer? First point I’d like to make is that minor defect generally do not place a trailer out-of-service. Major defects and hazardous conditions listed in national safety code standard 11B are conditions that would give rise to an out-of-service order, as the conditions would make the vehicle not fit for the road, for the driver, and the public that shares the road with the commercial vehicle.   The simplest answer is that all points are applied to the carrier operating the power unit, as they were the one in care and control of the trailer at the time the infraction was noted. Their driver should have noted the issue when they did their pre-trip and rectified it before proceeding (or decided not to proceed with it until it was fixed, if it was a Major Defect). So, the last opportunity to stop the infraction was in the hands of the carrier, not the trailer owner.   If work can’t be performed safely, with safe and well-maintained equipment, then it shouldn’t be taken on. Ethically and financially the consequences are too great to roll the dice with safety.   Stay safe out there!   Paul

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Thank you to everyone for your tremendous support of our recent “Funspiel.” The event was completely sold out and proved to be an outstanding day of networking, great food, and plenty of fun.

Congratulations to all the winners, and a sincere thank you to those who sponsored, attended, and helped organize the day’s activities. Your continued commitment is what strengthens and builds our Association.

What a unique winter we have experienced so far. The wind has certainly played a significant role in snow clearing operations. Historically, Winnipeg sees an average of approximately 117 cm (46 inches) of snowfall during the winter maintenance season. While we have not yet reached that benchmark, there is still ample time, as we all know that March and even early April can deliver significant snow events. On average, snow remains on the ground in Winnipeg for approximately 132 days each season.

We want to recognize and acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our members. Your 24/7 response to snow events ensures that our city continues to function. Without your professionalism and rapid mobilization, Winnipeg would quite simply shut down during major storms. Your work protects mobility, safety, and critical infrastructure across the region.

I understand that several members will be attending ConExpo in Las Vegas. This is an exceptional event and an excellent opportunity to explore new equipment, emerging technologies, and industry best practices. I encourage you to fully participate in the seminars and networking opportunities. Time invested at events like this often delivers long-term dividends for your operations and our industry.

Safe travels to those attending and thank you again for your continued dedication.

Regards,

Bruce Henley

Stakeholder Relations Manager

Heavy Equipment Aggregate Truckers Association of Manitoba

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Bill 38 and Blue Lamps: What Snow‑Clearing Operators Need to Know

With the forecast released this week, we are apparently still in the thick of winter and there is still a lot of snow clearing to be done. While last month I talked about Bill 38 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Snow Clearing and Winter Maintenance), this month I want to clarify how blue warning lamps must be used on snow‑clearing equipment. These lights aren’t just for show. They’re a safety tool, and Bill 38 makes it clearer when they must be used—and what happens if they’re not.

Why Blue Lamps Matter

In Manitoba, when the public sees a blue light on big equipment, they know a plow, grader, loader, or sanding unit is working nearby. It’s a signal to slow down, give space, and expect sudden movements. Bill 38 tightens expectations around when the lamp must be on, and when it must be off.

When Blue Lamps MUST Be Used

If you’re doing winter‑maintenance work, the blue light needs to be on—no exceptions. Operators are required to activate the blue lamp whenever they are:

• Plowing snow
• Sanding or salting
• Blowing snow
• Clearing shoulders or lanes
• Working in low‑visibility conditions
• Operating on or near the roadway during a snow event

The lamp must be clearly visible from all directions, which means it can’t be blocked by snow, attachments, or equipment.

When Blue Lamps MUST NOT Be Used

Using the blue lamp at the wrong time confuses other drivers and weakens the meaning of the signal. This is where operators can get into trouble. Blue lamps cannot be used:

• While driving to or from the yard
• When the equipment is not performing winter‑maintenance work
• During non‑winter work like grading, ditching, or hauling
• As a general “I’m a big machine” warning

Consequences for Improper Use

Bill 38 doesn’t create brand‑new fines just for snow‑clearing operators, but it removes the grey areas. Here’s what can happen:

1. Fines for using blue lamps when you shouldn’t

Improper use can lead to charges such as:

• Unauthorized use of a warning light
• Improper use of lighting equipment
• Creating a traffic hazard

2. Fines for NOT using blue lamps when required

If you’re plowing or sanding without the lamp on, you can be charged for:

• Failing to display required warning lights
• Operating without proper safety equipment
• Driving without due care

If a collision happens, the lack of proper lighting becomes a major liability issue.

Bottom Line: Blue means winter work.

• If you’re plowing, sanding, or clearing snow, the lamp must be on.
• If you’re not doing winter‑maintenance work, the lamp must be off.

Using the lamp properly keeps operators safe, keeps the public safe, and keeps winter operations running smoothly.

Manitoba’s New Accident‑Reporting Requirement

With Manitoba’s new accident‑reporting requirement now in effect, many carriers are working to understand how the amended sections of The Highway Traffic Act, including 318.1(3)(a) and 318.1(4), apply to their day‑to‑day operations. As an Outreach Officer with Manitoba Motor Carrier Enforcement, my goal is to help you stay compliant and avoid preventable violations as these rules become part of your regular safety processes.

You will already have seen the January 30, 2026 bulletin outlining the new requirement to report accidents involving regulated vehicles. In short, carriers must report any accident that results in more than $2,000 in property damage, requires a vehicle to be towed, or results in a police report due to injury, fatality, or any circumstance listed under section 155(7) of the HTA. These thresholds are broad by design, ensuring that significant commercial‑vehicle incidents are captured consistently across Manitoba.

A key part of the new requirement is the 30‑day reporting window. Carriers must submit the online Motor Carrier Accident Report within 30 days of receiving the particulars of the accident. This report does not replace the obligation to notify police when required under the HTA; those reports must still be made separately. The online form on the MTI Safety Monitoring webpage is the official method for meeting the requirement, and failure to submit it within the 30‑day timeframe may result in an offence.

To stay compliant, carriers should ensure they have a clear internal process for gathering accident details and determining whether the incident meets the reporting threshold. Timely communication from drivers is essential. Drivers should report incidents promptly and provide complete information—photos, location details, towing documentation, and any police file numbers—so your office has enough time to complete the MTI submission.

For many carriers, the biggest adjustment is simply tightening the flow of information. The sooner your safety or dispatch staff receive the particulars, the easier it is to meet the 30‑day requirement and avoid enforcement action. Consistent procedures and clear expectations for drivers will help prevent missed deadlines.

Motor Carrier Enforcement is here to support you as you adapt to these changes. Our role is not only to enforce the legislation but also to help carriers understand it and build processes that keep them compliant. If you have questions about the reporting requirement or how it applies to your operation, the Motor Carrier Safety Program is available to assist at mcsafety@gov.mb.ca or call 204-945-5322.

Stay safe out there!

Thanks,

Paul

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As we roll quickly into February, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Hiebert as Executive Director of HEAT. Shannon has worked long and hard for the association over many years, and it is fitting that her loyalty, organizational strength, administrative expertise, and fundraising skills have been recognized with this newly created position.

Congratulations, Shannon, on your new title and responsibilities!

The past month has brought weather conditions that required the equipment of many of our association members to be out on the streets, performing the important work necessary to keep roadways and lots cleared of snow and safe for travel.

The Province of Manitoba, along with HEAT, has been actively promoting the new legislative amendments introduced in late 2025 through social media. These include the safety taglines:

“Stay Back. Give Space. Stay Safe.”

If you are an owner-operator and are not yet familiar with these new regulations, it is critical that you become informed, as they introduce new responsibilities for operators. View new legislation.

We are also very pleased to advise that beginning this month, Deputy Mayor Janice Lukes, Chair of City of Winnipeg Public Works, will be providing informational articles throughout the year on topics of interest to our membership.

These articles, along with updates from Motor Carrier Enforcement, are valuable sources of information and help our members better understand the industry and the individuals involved in many of the decisions that affect both individual drivers and the business community. We strongly encourage members to read and stay informed on issues impacting our association.

In late January, President Gord Bragg, City of Winnipeg Co-Chair Frank Sousa, and myself representing the City of Winnipeg Committee, met with Deputy Mayor Lukes at City Hall. The meeting included open and productive discussions on matters important to our members’ work with the city, including snow dump operations, sanding, dispatching, and callouts related to the tender.

The discussion was very informative for Deputy Mayor Lukes, who has shown a strong interest in learning and understanding snow-clearing operations. This ensures that our concerns are being heard not only by Public Works staff—the “boots on the ground”—but also at Council, where she is often required to respond to questions from colleagues, residents, and the media.

Given the significant annual budget for snow clearing, it is refreshing for our Executive and Membership to have an elected official who genuinely wants to understand our operations and concerns.

Please remember to mark your calendars and join us for:

Annual Funspiel – East St. Paul Curling Club

February 18, 2026 ( Space for 2 teams still available )

Annual General Meeting – March 18, 2026

(More details to follow)

Thank you all for your continued support.

Regards,

Bruce Henley

Stakeholder Relations Manager

Heavy Equipment Aggregate Association of Manitoba

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Bill 38

The government made some new rules to keep everyone safer while you work.

Starting on January 1, 2026, there are new laws for people driving near your snow clearing equipment. Here is what you need to know:

• Stay Back: Drivers now must stay back at least 30 metres on city streets and roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h or less.
• Give Extra Room: On the big highways where people go faster than 80 km/h, drivers have to stay at least 100 metres behind the plows. That is about the length of a whole football field!
• No Passing: If the driver cannot see clearly or if passing might get in the way of the plow, they are not allowed to pass at all.
• Watch for Blue Lights: These rules apply whenever a snow vehicle has its blue or blue and amber lights flashing.
• Important Note: Winter maintenance vehicles must have the blue light flashing while working! Make sure you are seen and protected by Bill 38.

These changes are great news for us. They mean fewer “close calls” and a safer day at work for every driver in snow clearing equipment. If a driver breaks these rules, they could even get a $298 fine. Know we are out there with our eyes open – your safety is important to us – but like all traffic enforcement it is important to remember that officers need to see the violation or have clear video evidence showing the offending vehicle and its license plate so we can investigate the incident and press charges.

Keep doing a great job out there. Be patient with cars and remember that these new laws are here to help us all get home safe every night.

Let’s Bust Some Brake Myths!

Sometimes, we hear “old-school” advice that isn’t actually true. These myths can get you in big trouble during an inspection. Let’s look at three big ones that could put you out of service.

Myth #1: The “Six-Pack” Fix

You might have heard that if your brakes feel loose, you should just stomp on them hard six times. People think this “resets” the automatic adjusters. This is false.

Most modern brakes don’t care how hard you press the pedal; they only care about the space between the brake shoe and the drum. If the adjuster is broken, stomping won’t fix it. If it’s working, it already adjusted itself! Don’t rely on “magic stomps” – rely on a real inspection.

Myth #2: “I Can Feel It in the Pedal”

A lot of drivers think they will know their brakes are bad because the truck will “feel” different. The truth is you only use a tiny bit of your braking power during normal driving.

You won’t notice a problem until you have to stop suddenly or when an inspector tests them at full power. By then, it’s too late. You can’t feel a bad brake through the pedal until it’s already dangerous.

Myth #3: The Perfect 90-Degree Angle

Some folks say the brake rod and the slack adjuster must make a perfect “L” shape (a 90-degree angle). While that looks nice in a textbook, every truck is built a little differently. You don’t need a perfect angle for the brakes to work. What you do need is the right “stroke” distance. If that rod moves too far, you’re in trouble—no matter what the angle looks like.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

When a brake problem occurs the driver usually takes the blame as they were the last one with a responsibility to notice the issue. But safety is a team sport! Maintenance shops and fleet owners need to work with drivers to make sure the equipment is ready.

The Best Test:

To really know if your brakes are safe during your pre-trip, do a proper check:

1. Get your air pressure to 90–100 psi.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Release the parking brakes.
4. Press the brake pedal down hard and check how far the pushrods move.

Stay safe out there!

Paul

Do you have a question that you think all of our members want clarification on? Send it in, and get answers from, Manitoba Motor Carrier Enforcement (MMCE). Answering your questions will be Sgt. Paul Laporte, the Industry Outreach Officer for MMCE, who has a 27 year background in public safety education and enforcement. Email your questions to office@heatmb.ca

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As we closed out 2025, it was evident that our contractors experienced an exceptionally busy end to the year. The major snow events required significant and sustained response, and—as always—our members rose to the occasion to meet the needs of the communities you serve. It was impressive to see graders, plows, end dumps, sanding trucks, skid steers, and every piece of equipment imaginable out on the streets and properties. It has been some time since we have witnessed such an extended and coordinated response, and it was truly a welcome boost to end the year with a full complement of equipment and manpower in action. Long hours and tremendous effort were put in by our members, and it did not go unnoticed.

Reflecting on the past year, our numerous networking activities were a resounding success thanks to the efforts of your Social & Entertainment Committee, and our hardworking administrative staff. The time and dedication required to organize and deliver these events is significant, and without the strong support of our sponsors and volunteers, these functions would not have become the “must-attend” events they are today. Our Association continues to demonstrate that membership truly pays dividends.

One of the most impactful achievements of the past year was our work related to Bill 38. This stands as one of—if not the most—significant advocacy efforts undertaken by the Association. The resulting legislation is designed to improve safety within our industry as we work to keep roads, streets, and back lanes open so communities can continue to function safely and efficiently. If you have not yet reviewed the legislation, we strongly encourage you to do so. As owners and operators, you have specific obligations under these new rules, and it is important to ensure you are fully familiar with the requirements. Please refer to the links provided below for more information.

We would also like to remind members of the continued effort the Association has invested in promoting “education before enforcement” in partnership with Manitoba Motor Carrier. Over the past 16 months, we have hosted educational sessions in Winnipeg, Gimli, Steinbach, and Morden. These sessions provide valuable insight into why Motor Carrier conducts audits and roadside checks and help both employers and drivers better understand compliance expectations. The more informed you and your employees are, the better prepared you will be to ensure your equipment is roadworthy and your drivers are meeting their individual responsibilities. Nobody benefits when equipment is taken out of service or drivers face Highway Traffic Act infractions that can negatively impact company safety ratings or a driver’s license. These initiatives exist to keep Manitoba’s roads safe for everyone.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue to provide helpful information, timely communications, and monthly guest articles. These will include contributions from Paul Laporte of Manitoba Motor Carrier, as well as upcoming articles from City of Winnipeg Deputy Mayor and Chair of Infrastructure and Public Works, Janice Lukes. Deputy Mayor Lukes has a strong interest in addressing industry concerns and maintaining a positive, collaborative working relationship with the City of Winnipeg—one that delivers meaningful outcomes for our members.

Thank you all for your continued support. We are here to be the voice of our industry. If you have suggestions, concerns, or recommendations, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are also always looking to strengthen our Board with capable individuals who share the Association’s goals and are committed to growing our organization and elevating its profile as we move forward into 2026 and beyond.

Thank you for your commitment.

Regards,

Bruce Henley

Stakeholder Relations ManagerHeavy Equipment Aggregate Association of Manitoba

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