New King’s Bench Notice – Resumption of E-Filing

February 26, 2024 – Electronic Filing Resumes March 4, 2024

Further to the notice dated January 24, 2023, the technical issues related to electronic filing (e-filing) have been resolved. Effective March 4, 2024, e-filing specifically for Receiver/Manager applications, applications filed under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and plans of arrangement under The Corporations Act may resume.

All other King’s Bench notices are available on the Manitoba Court’s Website.

Rangefindr: Pre-Sentence Custody Credit Guide

Recent news reports from Ontario have highlighted the complicated practice of calculating credit for pre-sentence custody. Rangefindr has been a helpful resource for our members to suggest sentencing ranges and now Rangefindr has created a new guide to further assist calculating these sentences.

The rangefindr.ca “Guide to Credit for Pre-sentence Custody and Release” is now available behind the member portal.

Other free guides and tools are available at https://www.rangefindr.ca/eng/docs and https://mms.watch.

Blog Round-Up November/December 2023

A bi-monthly round-up of blog posts from the Manitoba legal community for the months of November and December 2023

Brodsky Amy & Gould

Fillmore Riley

MLT Aikins

Robson Crim Legal Blog

Taylor McCaffrey

TDS law

Together a collaborative family law blog

New King’s Bench Notice

December 5, 2023 – Return to in-person appearances – Associate Judges

“There have been Notices issued by the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Masters (as they then were), lastly on June 9, 2022, that governed practice before the Masters. This Notice will replace those previous Notices, except as otherwise specified herein, and will be in place effective January 8, 2024. This Notice does not impact any matters that, as of today’s date, have already been set to proceed, whether proceeding via teleconference, in person or otherwise. Those previously scheduled appearances, even if set to proceed virtually after January 8, 2024, will continue as currently planned.

With the exception of the associate judges’ daily uncontested lists, which will continue to proceed remotely as set out below, these changes reflect a more fulsome move back to in person hearings for all other matters set to appear before the associate judges. The court will continue to implement flexibility in appropriate circumstances, on the request of parties, and where resources allow. This Notice will apply to practices in the associate judges’ courts in every jurisdiction, except as expressly addressed below: ” (see notice for full details on Child Protection Dockets, Maintenance Enforcement Dockets, Associate Judges’ Civil and Family Uncontested List, Bankruptcy Dockets, Contested Motions, Uncontested Passing of Accounts and Hearings for Directions and Matters involving the provision of viva voce evidence).

See here for all King’s Bench Notices

Legislative Update

News

The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
First Session, Forty-third Legislature

Government Bills

Introduced

Bill 2 The Louis Riel Act – “The Louis Riel Act bestows the honorary title of “First Premier of Manitoba” on Louis Riel. The Manitoba education curriculum must now include the significant contributions of Louis Riel.”

Bill 3 The Fuel Tax Amendment Act (Fuel Tax Holiday) – “The Fuel Tax Act is amended to provide for a tax holiday from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, for fuel purchased for use in operating motor vehicles, farm trucks and fire fighting equipment. A similar tax holiday is provided for multi-jurisdictional carriers who operate without a carrier licence. Regulations may be made to extend the tax holiday for up to six months or to reduce the applicable tax rate during the period from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

Bill 4 The Employment Standards Code Amendment and Interpretation Amendment Act (Orange Shirt Day) – ” The Employment Standards Code and The Interpretation Act are amended to observe Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) as a provincial statutory holiday on September 30. Employers and employees may not substitute a different date for observing Orange Shirt Day. In addition, The Public Schools Act is amended to ensure that, in years when Orange Shirt Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, schools are closed on the following Monday.”

Bill 5 The Adult Literacy Act – “The Adult Literacy Act requires the minister to develop, implement and evaluate an adult literacy strategy in collaboration with others involved in adult literacy. A component of the strategy is the Manitoba Adult Literacy Program, which supports adult literacy programs.”

Private Bills

Introduced

Bill 200 The Firefighters Recognition Day Act (Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act Amended) – “The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act is amended to proclaim May 4 as Firefighters Recognition Day.”


For the status of all current bills click here.


The Great Library will be closed from December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025 for the winter holidays. Regular office hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.