LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Housekeeping & Hygiene

Sep 1: Revised Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Regulations requiring employers to provide free menstrual products in workplace washrooms at no cost to employees took effect in Manitoba. Employers must also provide at least one choice of tampon and one choice of pad along with a covered container for disposal of menstrual products near each washroom toilet.

Action Point: Find out about the 5 steps to take to ensure compliance with OHS personal hygiene requirements.

OHS Enforcement

Aug 16: Since the new enforcement year began on April 1, Manitoba has carried out 3,145 WSH inspections resulting in the issuance of 207 Stop Work Orders and 6,007 Individual Improvement Orders. There were also two reported OHS work refusals and 25 alleged reprisals.

Action Point: Find out how to implement an OHS inspections policy in case inspectors show up at your door.

New Laws

Aug 28: Manitoba announced that it will provide more than $100 million in additional supports for workers, businesses, and producers affected by the latest U.S. tariffs, including $50 million for the Manitoba Trade Resilience Loan Program to provide repayable working capital financing at low interest rates, a $500,000 increase to the Export Support Program, $250,000 to enhance existing export advisory services to support export readiness and market development, $500,000 to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to expand the Made-in-Manitoba initiative, and $500,000 to support interprovincial trade missions for Manitoba alcohol producers and craft breweries.

New Laws

Aug 28: In response to the new Trump tariffs, Manitoba will invest $13.7 million to establish a Tariff Workforce Stabilization and Youth Employment Program offering wage subsidy supports to employers. Manitoba will also allow businesses to defer provincially administered tax payments such as retail sales tax and payroll tax payments for the period of Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026.

Action Point: Find out about how tariffs affect your OHS program.

Industry Challenges

Aug 28: The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) announced the following measures to protect farmers against the latest U.S. tariffs: i. increasing the Operating Credit Guarantee Program to $3 million for individuals, corporations, and partnerships; ii. increasing the guaranteed portion of loans under both the Operating Credit Guarantee Program and Diversification Loan Guarantee (DLG) program from 25% to 33.33; iii. expanding DLG Program eligibility to include grain and oilseed operations and allow “investment in primary agricultural infrastructure in Manitoba” as an eligible purpose; and iv. increasing DLG loan amounts from $1.5 million to $5 million.

New Laws

Aug 7: Manitobans can now get access to birth control products without going to a doctor. Newly effective laws give licensed pharmacists in the province who complete required training authority to assess for, prescribe, and administer eligible birth control products, including oral contraceptive pills, hormonal patches, vaginal rings, and intramuscular contraceptive injections.

CASES

There are no cases to report this month.