Legislative Update: Adjourned for Holiday Season

by George Roy | Dec 8, 2022 | Bill Status, Legislation, New Bills

Government News Releases

• Manitoba Government Reintroduces Bill That Would Modernize Liquor Service Licensing November 29, 2022 – “The bill, first introduced in the spring, would modernize the liquor licensing process and reduce red tape and regulatory burdens through regulation, helping the hospitality industry rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and current inflationary challenges. The bill would extend the ability to sell liquor with takeout and delivery food orders and make it easier for service models such as wine bars, seasonal and pop-up businesses to obtain licences, the minister noted.”
• Manitoba Government Introduces Legislation That Would Repeal the Social Responsibility Fee on Cannabis Sales November 28, 2022 – “Under the proposed legislation, cannabis retailers would no longer be required to remit the fee for sales that take effect starting Jan.1, 2023. Social responsibility fees for the 2022 calendar year would need to be remitted to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries by June 2023.”
• Manitoba Government Amends Liquor Licensing to Expand Types of Liquor Products Available at Existing Retailers November 28, 2022 – “Additionally, craft liquor manufacturers with retail endorsements on manufacturing licences would now be able to expand the liquor products permitted for retail sale at manufacturing locations. For example, a craft brewery that sells its products at its brewery location would now be able to sell other types of alcohol as well.”
• Manitoba Government Introduces Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance Act November 24, 2022 – “Proposed Legislation Would Ensure Off-Road Vehicle Organizations Can Continue Support for Safe, High-quality Recreation Opportunities While Protecting Natural Ecosystems: Wharton”

Recent Bill Activity

The House adjourned on December 1, 2022. The 5^th Session of the 42^nd Legislature will reconvene on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Introduced

Government Bills

• Bill 8 The Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance Act – “establishes The Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance Act. A person who registers an off-road vehicle must pay an off-road trails fee. The fee is set at $25, but may be changed by regulation. Permits authorizing people to operate snowmobiles on designated provincial snowmobile trails are now dealt with under this Act.
• Bill 9 The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Amendment Act – “amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act. An existing retail beer vendor or specialty wine store operator that wants to expand the products they sell may enter into an agreement with the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and obtain a licence that authorizes the sale of other types of liquor from their current premises.
• Bill 10 The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Social Responsibility Fee Repealed) – “This Bill amends The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act to repeal the requirement for a cannabis store operator to pay to the government a social responsibility fee.”

Private Members’ Bills

• Bill 210 The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Miscarriage or Stillbirth) – “amends The Employment Standards Code. An employee may take up to three days’ paid leave if their pregnancy or the pregnancy of their spouse or common-law partner ends in miscarriage or stillbirth.” 
• Bill 211 The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Amendment Act – “amends The Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act to prohibit registering and enforcing a civil judgment of a court outside Manitoba concerning abortion services provided in Manitoba.”                                    
• Bill 212 The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act – “This Bill requires the college of a regulated health profession whose members manage labour or delivery of babies to include in its continuing competency program education and training to ensure that no person experiences forced sterilization.”                                                                 
• Bill 215 The Non-Disclosure Agreements Act – “establishes The Non-Disclosure Agreements Act to restrict or prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements as they relate to claims of harassment and discrimination.”
• Bill 216 The Consumer Protection Amendment Act (Right to Repair Electronic Products) – “amends The Consumer Protection Act. A manufacturer must make the items necessary to maintain and repair its electronic products available to consumers and repair businesses at a reasonable price. If not, the manufacturer must replace the electronic product at no charge or refund the purchase price when requested to do so by the purchaser.
• Bill 217 The Health System Governance and Accountability Amendment Act– “amends The Health System Governance and Accountability Act to require annual reports of health authorities to be tabled in the Assembly and referred to the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development. The Standing Committee must consider each report within 120 days.”
• Bill 218 An Act Respecting the Title “Associate Judge” (Various Acts Amended) – “amends The Court of King’s Bench Act to change the designation of the judicial officials appointed under Division 2 of Part IV of the Act from “master” to “associate judge”. Consequential amendments are made to a number of other statutes.”

Passed

Government Bills

• Bill 3 The Vital Statistics Amendment Act (Name Registration), SM 2022, c. 50
• Bill 4 The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, 2022 (Employment Standards Code Amended), SM 2022, c. 51
• Bill 5 The Demise of the Crown Act (Various Acts Amended), SM 2022, c. 52

Public Bills

• Bill 213 The Animal Care Amendment Act – ” This Bill amends The Animal Care Act to prohibit leaving a companion animal, such as a dog, in an unattended vehicle if the temperature in the vehicle is dangerously hot or cold for the animal. If the exterior temperature is more than 22 degrees C or less than -10 degrees C, it is presumed that the temperature inside the vehicle is dangerous for the animal. An officer is authorized to use force to enter a locked vehicle to remove an animal if they use the minimum necessary force, report the entry to an animal protection officer and remain with the animal until an animal protection officer arrives on the scene or provides instructions.” SM 2022, c. 54

See here for the current status of all bills.