Bill 54:The Emergency Measures Amendment Act ( amendment(s) adopted at Committee Stage) – Currently, only the minister or a local authority may make emergency orders to prevent or limit loss of life and damage to property and the environment. This Bill gives the Lieutenant Governor in Council the power to make three types of orders when a state of emergency is declared.
Bill 55:The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act – This Bill amends The Employment Standards Code to add a temporary job-protected leave for employees who are unable to work due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirement for an employee to provide a certificate from a health professional in respect of a leave provided for in the Code is also temporarily suspended.
Bill 56:The Family Maintenance Amendment Act – amends The Family Maintenance Act. It enables maintenance enforcement officials to make more frequent inquiries to determine if a maintenance obligation for an adult child remains eligible for enforcement. In addition, when a request is made for an administrative suspension of a maintenance order, each party is entitled to a copy of material submitted by the other party, with any sensitive information deleted.
Bill 57:The Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act – amends The Regulated Health Professions Act to allow a regulated health profession college to re-register former members, without complying with the usual registration requirements, if the minister notifies the college that a threat to public health exists and their assistance is required.
Rent is frozen at the amount payable immediately before April 1, 2020.
Evictions are limited to specific circumstances that infringe, interfere with or adversely affect the security, safety, health or well-being of other tenants, such as engaging in unlawful activity. This amendment is effective as of March 24, 2020.
Late fees for failure to pay rent are prohibited.
Bill 59:The Public Health Amendment Act – amends The Public Health Act. New prohibitions or requirements can be made in a public health emergency order to prevent the spread of a communicable disease. Measures to assist in the enforcement of public health emergency orders are added. The fines for failing to comply with public health emergency orders are increased. Additional persons may be authorized by regulation to enforce the Act and orders made under it. Orders made under the Act are not subject to The Statutes and Regulations Act. Orders directed to the public at large may be published on a government website.
Bill 62:The Fuel Tax Amendment and Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act – amends The Fuel Tax Act to suspend, for the duration of the 2020 public health emergency, the requirements that a carrier who is not licenced under the International Fuel Tax Agreement pay a tax and obtain a single-trip permit upon entering Manitoba.
As part of its effort to provide accurate information about COVID-19, the Winnipeg Free Press has released a free article detailing these emergency bills. See here for more details.
The government of Manitoba has set new fine limits for individuals and businesses under The Public Health Act as part of its action to reduce spreading of COVID-19 and to “flatten the curve.”
The fines have been set at $486 for individuals and $2,542 for businesses that breach the new emergency measures.
To see the full news release and more details, click here.
From the Legislative Assembly Website: “On March 19, 2020 the Members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly unanimously agreed to suspend its sittings due to the ongoing public health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 virus and the need for social distancing. Although public access to the Legislative Building has been limited for the same reason, Assembly offices remain open with a reduced staff complement and can be reached through phone or email.”
Click here for the last update from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly
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