The Covid pandemic, while affecting our physical and mental health, and while ravaging our economy, is also having an adverse affect on our environment, as noted in this article https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/household-waste-boom-covid-1.5728420. Extra packaging from online shopping and home delivery of groceries includes a lot of cardboard, some of which ends up in the trash rather than recycling, plus lots of extra plastic which just goes into the trash. As well, there are those masks and gloves being thrown away, some of which end up blowing in the wind through our neighbourhoods. Surprisingly, there is also an increase in food waste, which largely ends up in the trash.

We have two timely topics to talk about today – how is that for a tongue twisting topic teaser? If you want to contribute to the discussion, you could tweet to twitter.com/ccimanitoba or post to www.facebook.com/ccimanitoba or make a submission to cci-manitoba.ca/resources/condo-conversation-corner.

As I prepare to write my final report for this past fiscal year of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, I go through all of the past reports of the 2019- 2020 year and try to give you a snapshot of past activities as well as a few hints of what to expect in the coming fiscal year. Year end committee reports are also included in this newsletter edition.

At the time of writing this report, we are still in the pandemic lockdown and very uncertain of when some of the restrictions may be lifted. Delivery of this newsletter may be one of the casualties, but we are proceeding and hope to deliver as many as possible.

The following reports highlight the activities and achievements of the various Committees of CCI Manitoba Chapter.

In our last issue, we discussed some ideas to get ready for Spring. After a very slow start, spring is almost over as we anticipate summer. Summer in Manitoba is our reward for those long cold winters.
 

Invisible problems can be the most costly because they are difficult to see………..and difficult to plan for.

Doug Clark and his Building Sciences Group from WSP Canada Inc. – Winnipeg Office - presented the CCI Lunch & Learn session for March 21, 2019 with an informative and animated presentation of the feature topic.

Condominiums remain an important part of Winnipeg’s housing matrix. They tend to be more affordable and easier to maintain than owning a detached home. For younger adults a condominium may be their entry point into the real estate marketplace and for older adults a condominium can be seen as a place to downsize to. However, not all condos are created equal and each property will have its own strengths and weaknesses.

BUILDING, ELEVATOR SAFETY AND SUITS

It seems that everyone has something to say about the safe usage of portable BBQs. This is likely because barbecues combine those wonderful elements known as fire and fuel, and together they can be a lethal combination. Barbecues can also produce carbon monoxide which as you are likely aware can cause serious health problems or death if inhaled. Tanks in and of themselves rarely explode. What can happen is a resulting fire or explosion that is caused by leaking gas that has escaped from a faulty appliance or pipework. Gas can build up in an enclosed area which can lead to explosion, carbon monoxide poisoning or if an ignition source is present – fire!