ManitobaA Winnipeg chocolate maker could be on the hook for expensive upgrades the City of Winnipeg ordered her to make to her roof, even though she says the problems were caused by the construction of a neighbouring building.Chocolatier Constance Popp owner warned city that construction would cause problem with roof’s snow loadCameron MacLean · CBC News · Posted: Sep 22, 2025 7:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThe owner of Chocolatier Constance Popp says she warned the City of Winnipeg that construction of the building at 174 Provencher Blvd. would cause problems with snow loading on her roof. (Darin Morash/CBC News)A Winnipeg chocolate maker could be on the hook for expensive upgrades the City of Winnipeg ordered her to make to her roof, even though she says the problems were caused by the construction of a neighbouring building.Constance Menzies, the owner of Chocolatier Constance Popp, appealed the City order declaring her building unsafe due to concerns the roof could not support the weight of snow in winter.At a hearing on Monday, the planning, property and development committee denied the appeal and upheld the City’s order, after lawyers warned the City faced liability for any safety risks.Menzies told the committee the cost of the work — which she estimates could range between $50,000 and $150,0000 – could put her out of business.”I don’t even think that ‘we’re disappointed’ covers it sufficiently enough. I’m quite stunned,” said Menzies in an interview following the hearing. Menzies says her building is more than 100 years old, and never had an issue with snow before, as it used to blow off her roof. The problem, she said, was caused by the construction next door.The four-storey apartment building at 174 Provencher Blvd. butts up against the west side of Menzies’ building. Menzies raised concerns at city hall about the potential snow load when plans for the new building came forward for approval.The City of Winnipeg ordered the owner of Constance Popp to make upgrades to the building’s roof to deal with the added snow. (Trevor Lyons/CBC)The property committee approved the building, with a condition that the developer work out an agreement to deal with the snow.Menzies says her messages to the developer went unanswered and they have no agreement.”I’m asking you, what is wrong with this picture?” Menzies told the committee during the hearing.”I’m appealing to each of you here to … rescind this order and put the responsibility back where it belongs, onto the developer.”CBC News reached out to the developer, Penfor Construction, but received no response. Some members of the committee questioned why the City approved construction of the neighbouring building without ensuring an agreement was in place to ensure the safety concerns with the snow were addressed.”We’re ordering them to do this at their expense. And I have a problem with that,” Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt said in the hearing. Councillors proposed a number of potential solutions, including withholding the occupancy permit for 174 Provencher until an agreement was reached, as well as waiting until a related civil case between Menzies and Penfor plays out in court. In the end, however, the committee unanimously voted unanimously to deny the appeal, citing advice from the City’s legal counsel that delaying the enforcement of the order could put the City in jeopardy. Menzies told CBC News she is consulting with her lawyers about potential legal options. A statement of claim filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench in February names Penfor and Serhal Consulting as defendants. The case is expected to be heard in court some time in 2027.Chocolate maker loses appeal after City of Winnipeg orders roof upgradesThe owner of Chocolatier Constance Popp says problems with snow on her roof were caused by construction of a neighbouring building, and the cost of upgrades could put her out of business.ABOUT THE AUTHORCameron MacLean is a journalist for CBC Manitoba living in Winnipeg, where he was born and raised. He has more than a decade of experience reporting in the city and across Manitoba, covering a wide range of topics, including courts, politics, housing, arts, health and breaking news. Email story tips to cameron.maclean@cbc.ca.
St. Boniface chocolate shop owner on the hook for problems caused by neighbouring building
