Legislative Update

Latest News Releases

Manitoba Government is Modernizing the Family Maintenance Act November 3, 2021 – ” …changes to the Family Maintenance Act to include parentage legislation for children conceived through assisted reproduction with or without surrogacy.”

Manitoba Proclaims Legislation to Promote Timely Resolution of Human Rights Complaints November 2, 2021 – “The legislative changes set out in the Human Rights Code Amendment Act will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022”

Province Proclaims New Legislation to Repeal and Replace the Limitations Act November 2, 2021 – “Statutory limitations ensure that a person can no longer seek the assistance of the court to enforce a legal right after a certain period. This legislation will clarify statutory limitations for the various causes of action in Manitoba.”

Recent Proclamations

ChapterTitle     (provisions)Date in forceDate signedProclamation
SM 2021, c. 27The Human Rights Code Amendment Act (whole Act)1 Jan 202227 Oct 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 28The Administrative Tribunal Jurisdiction Act (whole Act)1 Jan 202227 Oct 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 36The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act (various sections)29 Oct 202127 Oct 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 44The Limitations Act (whole Act)30 Sep 202227 Oct 2021Proclamation

Legislative Update – End of Fall Session

Government Concludes Fall Legislative Session, Focused on Protecting Manitobans, Advancing Manitoba (News Release) – “The fall sitting of the third session of the 42nd legislature has concluded, having completed the final stages of implementing Budget 2021 and passing important legislation to protect and improve the services Manitobans rely on, Premier and government house leader Kelvin Goertzen announced today.”

New Bills

Introduced

Bill 76 The Coat of Arms, Emblems and the Manitoba Tartan Amendment Act – amends The Coat of Arms, Emblems and the Manitoba Tartan Act to add the polar bear as one of the designated mammal emblems of Manitoba. The plains bison was previously designated in 2014.

Bill 77 The Appropriation Act, 2021

Bill 78 The Loan Act, 2021

Bill 239 The Protest Buffer Zone Act (COVID-19 Restrictions)

Bill 241 The Consumer Protection Amendment and Farm Machinery and Equipment Amendment Act (Right to Repair — Vehicles and Other Equipment) – amends The Consumer Protection Act and The Farm Machinery and Equipment Act. A manufacturer must make the items necessary to maintain and repair its vehicle, farm equipment and machinery available to purchasers and repair businesses at a reasonable price. If a manufacturer does not make the necessary items available, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle, farm equipment or machinery at no charge or refund the purchase price.


See here for that status of all current bills.


Proclamations

ChapterTitle     (provisions)Date in forceDate signedProclamation
SM 2021, c. 30The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2020 (sections 20 and 22 to 24)18 Oct 202113 Oct 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 40The Court Practice and Administration Act (Various Acts Amended) (Part 2)15 Oct 202113 Oct 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 40The Court Practice and Administration Act (Various Acts Amended) (Parts 1 and 3)1 Jan 202213 Oct 2021Proclamation

Legislative Update – Legislature resumes

Manitoba Legislature Resumes To Complete Budget 2021 Process, Protect Manitobans – “The fall sitting of the third session of the 42nd legislature will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6 with a condensed two-week sitting focused on completing the Budget 2021 financial process including the introduction and passage of the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act (BITSA).”

Statement From Justice Minister Cameron Friesen On Proclamation Of Bill 6, The Liquor, Gaming And Cannabis Control Amendment Act “…government has proclaimed legislation that prohibits the public consumption of cannabis, complementing existing provisions prohibiting smoking and vaping in public. “

Statement From Justice Minister Cameron Friesen On Proclamation Of Bill 50, The Legal Aid Amendment Act – “… government is acting to remove the tariff from the regulation and allow Legal Aid to manage its budget independently. Legal Aid will create internal policies to ensure the tariff and financial commitments are accounted for.   These changes support Manitoba’s Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy by improving the timeliness of the justice system.  These regulations come into effect Oct. 7.”

Third Session, Forty-Second Legislature

New Bills

Introduced

Bill 74 The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2021 – This Bill implements various tax and other measures announced in the 2021 Manitoba Budget. Additional amendments implement and support the summary budget and make various amendments to tax legislation.

Bill 240 The Recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Act (Employment Standards Code and Interpretation Act Amended) – recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, as a statutory holiday in Manitoba for the purposes of The Employment Standards Code and The Interpretation Act.

Recent Proclamations Coming into Effect

ChapterTitle     (provisions)Date in forceDate signedProclamation
SM 2020, c. 25The Remote Witnessing and Commissioning Act (Various Acts Amended) (whole Act)1 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 8The Legal Aid Manitoba Amendment Act (whole Act)7 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 13The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (whole Act)15 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 30The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2020 (sections 31 and 32)1 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 53The Animal Diseases Amendment Act (whole Act)8 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation
SM 2021, c. 54The Petty Trespasses Amendment and Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act (whole Act)15 Oct 202129 Sep 2021Proclamation

Check here for the current status of all bills.

New Proclamations

The Manitoba Government has proclaimed the following two acts to be in force. Two news releases highlight the new changes to access to locked-in pensions, and compensation for juries.

Province Creates a Strong Pension Framework that Guarantees Protected, Secure and Stable Retirement Income for Manitobans” August 17, 2021
“Amendments to the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) through bill 8 and accompanying regulations will modernize the legislation and create a framework that protects individuals in times of financial hardship and provides greater and easier access to locked-in funds…”

The Pension Benefits Amendment Act (whole Act except subsection 10(1), section 11 and clause 17(a))

Proclamation

Province Proclaims Legislation that Increases Juror Diversity, Allows Increase in Juror Pay” August 17, 2021
“As part of the amendments to the Jury Act, jurors will be paid for their attendance starting on the first day of a jury trial. Changes to the jury regulation under the act increase jurors’ compensation to $80 per day.”

The Court Practice and Administration Act (Various Acts Amended) (Part 6)

Proclamation

Legislative Update

The House adjourned on June 1, 2021.

The 3rd Session of the 42nd Legislature will reconvene on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

Third Session, Forty-Second Legislature

Private Bills

Introduced

Bill 234 The Consumer Protection Amendment Act (Right to Repair) – 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.

Bill 235 The Scrap Metal Recyclers Act – This Bill establishes The Scrap Metal Recyclers Act. A person must provide personal identification and the source of the scrap metal when they enter into a transaction with a scrap metal recycler. The recycler must keep the identifying information for five years and provide it to the police if required.

Bill 236 The Protecting Communications on Public Interest Matters Act (Court of Queen’s Bench Act and Defamation Act Amended) – amends The Court of Queen’s Bench Act. A defendant may file a motion to dismiss a court proceeding on the ground that the proceeding arose from a communication by the defendant on a matter of public interest. Unless ordered otherwise, the motion stays the court proceeding and any related administrative tribunal proceedings until the motion is decided.
This Bill also amends The Defamation Act. A defendant may rely on the common law defence of qualified privilege even when a communication has been published by the media.

Bill 237 The Elections Amendment Act – amends The Elections Act to require the disclosure of personal financial information by the leader of a political party for a 20-year period.

Bill 238The Apprenticeship and Certification Amendment Act (Apprenticeship Supervision) – amends The Apprenticeship and Certification Act. Currently, the number of apprentices a journeyperson may supervise is set by regulation. This Bill requires a 1 to 1 supervision ratio for most trades.


Check here for the current status of all bills.

Legislative Update

Third Session, Forty-Second Legislature

Government Bills

Introduced

Bill 72 The Disability Support Act and Amendments to The Manitoba Assistance Act – creates a new support framework for individuals living with a severe and prolonged disability who have no other adequate means of support. Individuals can apply for basic disability support payments as well as shelter assistance. The Act also allows for additional discretionary support payments in special cases.

2nd Reading

Bill 71 The Education Property Tax Reduction Act (Property Tax and Insulation Assistance Act and Income Tax Act Amended)Hansard Debate

Passed

Bill 3 The Public Service Act
Bill 5 The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (Cannabis Social Responsibility Fee)
Bill 6 The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act
Bill 8 The Pension Benefits Amendment Act
Bill 10 The Regional Health Authorities Amendment Act (Health System Governance and Accountability)
Bill 11 The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act
Bill 12 The Crown Land Dispositions Act (Various Acts Amended)
Bill 13 The Public Sector Construction Projects (Tendering) Act
Bill 15 The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Claim Dispute Tribunal)
Bill 17 The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act
Bill 18 The Workers Compensation Amendment Act
Bill 20 The Vehicle Technology Testing Act (Various Acts Amended)
Bill 21 The Conflict of Interest (Members and Ministers) and Related Amendments Act
Bill 22 The Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Amendment Act
Bill 23 The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Control of Traffic by Flag Persons)
Bill 25 The Municipal Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 26 The Human Rights Code Amendment Act
Bill 27 The Administrative Tribunal Jurisdiction Act
Bill 28 The Water Resources Administration Amendment Act
Bill 29 The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2020
Bill 30The Consumer Protection Amendment Act
Bill 32  The Election Financing Amendment and Elections Amendment Act (Government Advertising)
Bill 33  The Advanced Education Administration Amendment Act
Bill 34  The University College of the North Amendment Act
Bill 36 The Public Health Amendment Act (Food Safety and Other Amendments)
Bill 37 The Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act
Bill 38 The Building and Electrical Permitting Improvement Act (Various Acts Amended and Permit Dispute Resolution Act Enacted)
Bill 41 The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Amendment Act
Bill 45 The Public Schools Amendment and Manitoba Teachers’ Society Amendment Act
Bill 46 The Court Practice and Administration Act (Various Acts Amended)
Bill 47 The Early Learning and Child Care Act
Bill 48   The Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act
Bill 49   The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act
Bill 51   The Limitations Act
Bill 52   The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act, 2021
Bill 53   The Municipal Statutes Amendment Act (2)
Bill 54   The Personal Health Information Amendment Act
Bill 55   The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, 2021
Bill 56   The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Amendment Act
Bill 58   The Criminal Property Forfeiture Amendment Act
Bill 60   The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2)
Bill 61   The Apprenticeship and Certification Amendment Act
Bill 62   The Animal Diseases Amendment Act
Bill 63   The Petty Trespasses Amendment and Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act
Bill 67 The Public Health Amendment Act PDF SM 2021, c. 3
Bill 71    The Education Property Tax Reduction Act (Property Tax and Insulation Assistance Act and Income Tax Act Amended)

Private Bills

Introduced

Bill 229 The Restriction on Material Accompanying Government Cheques Act – prohibits the name, image or title of a Cabinet minister from being used on any material included with a cheque mailed by the government or a government agency.
Bill 232 The Emancipation Day Act proclaims August 1 of each year as Emancipation Day.
Bill 233 The Filipino Heritage Month Act proclaims the month of June of each year as Filipino Heritage Month.

2nd Reading

Bill 222 The Lobbyists Registration Amendment Act

Passed

Bill 213 The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault Act (Trained Health Professionals and Evidence Collection Kits)
Bill 223 The Spirit Bear Day Act


Check here for the current status of all bills.