What Happened At The Legislature?

The Manitoba Legislature is currently on break for the summer, but will reconvene on October 1st for another sitting of the second session of the 43rd Legislature.

In preparation for that return, we wanted to get you up to speed on everything that's happened so far in the current session.

But first, how exactly does Manitoba's Legislative calendar work?

First, each election creates a new "Legislature" - this being the 43rd.

Then, in between each election, each Legislature can be broken up into separate "Sessions".

Each session starts with a new Throne Speech and new Bills (proposed laws), with the numbering system restarted back at 1.

(So Bill 1 in Session 1 is a completely different piece of legislation than Bill 1 in Session 2, or than Bill 1 in Session 1 of a different Legislature!)

Usually, each Session is further divided into a Spring and Fall sitting (there's no Throne Speech for a new sitting, and Bills continue), but technically, a single Session could span multiple years and many different Spring and Fall sittings, so long as there's no new Throne Speech.

Within each sitting, daily proceedings follow a structured routine, starting with standard items like Question Period and Bill introductions, followed by debates on ongoing Bills.

The current second session of the 43rd Legislature has been a busy time with lots of changes, as several important Bills were passed that will impact everything from our economy to public safety.

So, read on below for a summary of all the Bills passed so far during this session.

And yes, we plan to do this kind of roundup for all future sittings as well, so keep an eye out for those updates in the future!

Whether it's through our newsletters, email updates, or in-depth reports, we'll ensure you stay in the loop and understand the impact of the changes happening in our province, breaking down the most critical bills and decisions, and explaining what they mean for you.

(If you want to support this and the other work we do, please consider donating here.)

Fiscal and Economic Legislation

The Provincial Court Amendment Act (Bill 2) requires all new and current judges and justices of the peace to take regular training on topics such as sexual assault, domestic violence, coercive control, systemic racism, and the lived experiences of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The Chief Judge must organize these seminars in consultation with affected communities and provide annual reports to ensure accountability.

The Income Tax Amendment Act (Bill 27) modernizes Manitoba’s tax code by removing outdated rules and simplifying how certain non-refundable tax credits are calculated. It makes the cultural industries printing tax credit permanent and fixes formulas for spousal, dependent, and R&D credits.

The Oil and Gas Amendment Act (Bill 11) adds naturally occurring hydrogen to the Oil and Gas Act’s definitions, paving the way for Manitoba to enter the hydrogen energy sector. It also grants regulators new inspection powers, tighter control over permits, and the authority to require pipeline approvals in writing, mandate well closures within 180 days of lease expiry, and set clear rules for salt-water disposal permits.

The Buy Canadian Act (Bill 42) amends the Government Purchases Act so the provincial government must buy from Canadian suppliers whenever possible. It establishes a formal “buy Canadian” policy and allows officials to draft regulations that give preference to Canadian companies when procuring goods.

The Interim Appropriation Act (Bill 45) authorizes the government to spend before the annual budget is finalized. It allows up to $14.7 billion for operating expenses, $804 million for capital investments, $846 million for loans and guarantees, and $1.27 billion in loans to reporting entities, with firm limits on liabilities and project commitments.

The Fair Trade in Canada Act (Bill 47) ensures that goods and services approved in other provinces or territories are automatically recognized as meeting Manitoba’s standards. This reduces duplication and red tape and strengthens interprovincial trade. The Act also proclaims June 1st as Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day to encourage consumer support for local and national producers.

Housing and Municipal Affairs

The City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment and Planning Amendment Act (Bill 3) raises the threshold for triggering a public hearing on zoning changes from 25 objections to 300 in Winnipeg and other large areas. In smaller municipalities, it is set at 100 objections or 5% of residents. Proposals already underway remain governed by the old rules.

The Planning Amendment Act (Bill 4) allows municipalities to join or leave the Capital Planning Region following a public hearing and resolution, with notice to the minister within 180 days. It extends deadlines for the region’s first development plan and ensures drinking water and wastewater rules remain binding even if a town withdraws.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (2) (Bill 10) protects tenants when buildings are deemed unsafe. Landlords must promptly notify the rental director, refund prepaid rent within 72 hours, cover relocation costs, and are barred from raising rents for two years after an evacuation order ends.

The Housing and Renewal Corporation Amendment Act (Bill 12) prevents buildings funded as social housing from being sold, demolished, or repurposed without government approval. The corporation enforces this by placing legal caveats on properties, protecting public investment in housing stock.

The Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act (Bill 31) bans restrictive covenants and exclusivity clauses that prevent grocery stores or supermarkets from opening. Existing covenants must be formally registered within 180 days or they become void. The minister or Municipal Board may also remove unfair restrictions without compensation to property owners.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Bill 32) strengthens protections for residents by allowing evictions when tenants are engaged in serious crimes such as drug trafficking, illegal cannabis sales, or human trafficking. The standard for eviction is lowered from “immediate risk” to “significant risk,” and boards can rely on police reports, video, and witness testimony while protecting informants.

Public Health and Safety

The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Impaired Driving Measures) (Bill 5) imposes a lifetime suspension for anyone convicted of two serious impaired-driving offences within ten years and a minimum seven-year ban after a first offence. Police are also empowered to impose roadside suspensions, impound vehicles, and require ignition-interlock devices or assessments.

The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Bill 24) directs benefits to estates when deceased workers leave no spouse or partner and requires tied evidence in injury cases to be resolved in favour of the worker.

The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act (Bill 29) adds psychological harm prevention to workplace duties, changes “accidents” to “incidents,” mandates qualified assessors for risks, and gives the Chief Occupational Medical Officer the power to order medical monitoring for exposed workers. Appeals can now be handled orally or in writing, with costs awarded against frivolous challenges.

The Public Health Amendment Act (Bill 33) reforms detention rules so that those held for public health reasons must be placed in hospitals or approved facilities, not jails. Judges or justices of the peace must authorize detention quickly, and individuals may participate by phone or video when in-person hearings are not possible.

The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Motor Carrier Enforcement) (Bill 34) establishes motor carrier enforcement officers to oversee commercial trucking. They can issue and appeal fines, arrest for indictable offences encountered in duty, and enforce reporting of serious crashes. Companies must maintain proper driver logbooks, and officers are shielded from liability for good-faith actions.

The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Traffic Safety Measures) (Bill 38) strengthens rules for road safety. It requires vehicles to give snowplows more space, bans passing when it interferes with plowing, mandates one-metre distance when passing bicycles, and allows tow trucks and roadside assistance crews to use temporary traffic cones and signs.

Public Education and Social Care

The Public Schools Amendment Act (Bill 6) changes the date used to calculate levy transfers to the francophone division from September 30 to the first Wednesday in October.

The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Amendment and Public Schools Amendment Act (Bill 16) grants reserve residents the right to vote in and run for school board elections, requires school boards to redraw wards for equal representation, and ensures reserves are included as wards by 2026.

The Public Schools Amendment Act (Nutrition Equality for Lasting Learning Outcomes) (Bill 17) mandates free meals and snacks in public schools every day. It ties ministerial pay to program continuation, withholding part of salaries if nutrition programs are cut or repealed.

The Public Schools Amendment Act (Indigenous Languages of Instruction) (Bill 18) allows schools to teach classes in Indigenous languages, requires French to remain in all grades, and updates the Languages of Instruction Advisory Committee to include Indigenous language experts.

The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe Schools) (Bill 19) requires every school division to adopt policies on safe student-staff interactions. It also mandates sexual abuse and sports safety training for all employees and volunteers every four years.

The Community Child Care Standards Amendment and Education Administration Amendment Act (Bill 20) establishes two policy frameworks - one for early learning and child care, one for public schools - requiring Indigenous consultation and updates every five years.

The Protecting Youth in Sports Act (Bill 21) requires Sport Manitoba to create and enforce “safe sport” policies banning abuse and discrimination, mandates complaint systems and independent adjudication, and requires regular training for athletes, coaches, and parents.

The Public Schools Amendment Act (Campaign Financing for School Trustees) (Bill 39) sets campaign donation limits of $1,500 per individual, caps self-funding at $7,500, requires public finance reports, and enforces fines of up to $5,000 for breaches.

Government Operations and Public Sector Management

The Human Tissue Gift Amendment Act (Bill 7) expands donation eligibility to new organizations and adds birth tissues (placentas, umbilical cords, amniotic fluid) to the list of tissues that can be gifted for medical use.

The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (2) (Bill 9) halts new controlled-access cannabis licences in urban municipalities over 5,000 people, while preserving existing licences. It also authorizes MLLC to negotiate cannabis retail agreements.

The Minor Amendments and Corrections Act (Bill 13) makes technical corrections across statutes, updates agency names, modernizes language by removing gendered pronouns, and clarifies delegation of powers.

The Insurance Amendment Act (Bill 14) limits the size of universal life insurance “side accounts” to prevent them from being misused as investment vehicles, while protecting regulators from liability for good-faith decisions.

The Real Estate Services Amendment Act (Bill 15) restores the Manitoba Securities Commission’s ability to freeze funds and assets of unregistered dealers and imposes a two-year deadline for prosecutions.

The Environment Amendment and Waste Reduction and Prevention Amendment Act (Bill 22) requires immediate reporting of pollutant releases and shifts landfill operators to an annual waste levy system effective January 2026.

The Public Interest Expression Defence Act (Bill 23) allows courts to quickly dismiss lawsuits designed to silence public-interest speech, ensuring free expression is protected against strategic litigation.

The Public-Private Partnerships Transparency and Accountability Act (Bill 25) requires all major P3 projects to publish costs, risks, and benefits, undergo independent fairness monitoring, and solicit public input before proceeding.

The Vital Statistics Amendment Act (Bill 26) lets anyone 18 or older change their legal sex designation without a doctor’s note, adopts gender-neutral terminology, and clarifies birth registration rules.

The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act (Bill 28) allows Manitoba Hydro to refuse ineligible power requests, legalizes past rules for cryptocurrency mining, and ensures refunds for denied paid requests.

The Election Financing Amendment and Elections Amendment Act (Bill 30) modernizes election finance rules, strengthens oversight of voter lists and party registration, and creates stiff penalties for fraud and misinformation.

The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (Bill 35) creates a new system for fleet and blanket insurance certificates and ties premiums to loss experience.

The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment and Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Bill 36) empowers registrars to suspend licences for medical or impaired-driving reasons, simplifies teen licensing, and penalizes fraudulent inspection certificates.

The Manitoba Financial Services Authority Act (Bill 37) consolidates financial regulation into one Crown agency overseeing securities, insurance, real estate, credit unions, and more.

The Reporting of Supports for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault Amendment Act (Bill 41) shifts reporting to focus on the number of children assessed by trained health professionals, ending outdated kit-counting requirements.

The Human Rights Code Amendment Act (Bill 43) expands Manitoba’s Human Rights Code by adding “gender expression” as a protected characteristic and updating French terminology.

The Matriarch Circle Act and Amendments to the Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Bill 44) establishes the Matriarch Circle advisory body to replace the Women’s Advisory Council and proclaims January 4 as Ribbon Skirt Day.

At the Manitoba Institute, we're a small team, but we're dedicated to staying on top of everything happening in the Legislature.

With your support, we can continue providing timely updates and breaking down complex issues.

So, if you value the work we do and want to help us continue delivering the information you need, please consider making a donation today.

Your generosity enables us to keep you informed and engaged in Manitoba's legislative process.

Thank you for your continued support, and stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming session!

- The Manitoba Institute Team