Legislative Update – December 10, 2024

by Kayleigh Hykawy | Dec 10, 2024 | Bill Status, Legislation, New Bills

News

• Second Session Ends with Important Legislation to Support Communities, Keep Manitobans Safe Continuing to Move Forward December 5, 2024 – The second session of the 43rd legislature will adjourn until March 5, 2025, with a number of important bills moving forward.
• Manitoba Government Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Licensing Consequences for Convicted Impaired Drivers December 5, 2024 – The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would impose new, stronger licensing consequences on drivers convicted of impaired driving and refusal offences that cause bodily harm or death, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, announced today.
• Manitoba Government Proclaims Combative Sports Amendment Act, Ensuring Strong Safety Standards for Amateur Combative Sports December 3, 2024 – The Manitoba government has proclaimed legislation and enacted regulation that increases safety standards for all combative sports, Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy announced today.
• Manitoba Government Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3, 2024 – The Manitoba government is joining people around the world to celebration International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today. 

The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba

First Session, Forty-Third Legislature

Government Bills

Introduced

• Bill 5 The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures)/Loi modifiant le Code de la route (mesures en cas d’infractions de conduite avec facultés affaiblies) – The Highway Traffic Act is amended to impose additional consequences when an impaired driving offence involves bodily injury or death.
  • A lifetime licence suspension is imposed on a person who is convicted of two such offences committed within a 10-year period.
  • Additionally, a person who is convicted of such an offence is prohibited from driving with any alcohol in their blood for a 7-year period. A second conviction for such an offence results in a lifetime prohibition if the second offence is committed within 10 years after the first one. Unlike the licence suspension period, the alcohol prohibition period cannot be varied by the Licence Suspension Appeal Board.
  • A person who drives with alcohol in their blood while prohibited from doing so is subject to having their licence suspended and their vehicle impounded. The person might also be required to pay an administrative penalty or to participate in an impaired driving assessment or the ignition-interlock program.
  • An amendment is also made to The Drivers and Vehicles Act.

Private Bills

Introduced

• Bill 215 The Specialist Wait Time Reporting Act/Loi sur la présentation de rapports concernant les temps d’attente pour la consultation de spécialistes – The Specialist Wait Time Reporting Act requires the minister to publicly report on wait times for consulting with a medical specialist and for receiving care from the specialist. The reports must be made twice each year.

For the status of all current bills click here.

Regulations