LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OHS Enforcement

Nov 23: Since April 1, 2025, Manitoba has carried out 4,970 WSH inspections, resulting in the issuance of 399 Stop-Work Orders and 9,862 Individual Improvement Orders. There were also 5 reported OHS work refusals and 41 alleged reprisals.

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

Transportation Safety

Jan 1: Key Highway Traffic Act changes took effect in Manitoba: i. Right of the operator of a tow truck or other roadside assistance vehicle to place traffic control devices on the highway when providing roadside assistance; ii. Requirement that drivers follow at least 30 metres behind a snowplow or other winter maintenance vehicle, which increases to 100 metres if the speed limit of the highway is over 80 km/h; iii. Ban on passing a winter maintenance vehicle unless additional precautions are taken; and iv. Requirement that drivers keep a distance of at least one metre when passing a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle.

New Laws

Dec 11: Manitoba launched a new $10 million Business Security Rebate Program offering rebates to businesses with 75 or fewer employees of up to $2,500 per location to offset the cost of purchasing security equipment or repairing property damage on or after Aug. 23, 2024. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the money runs out.

New Laws

Jan 9: For the second year in a row, the federal government significantly reduced Manitoba’s international student allocations for 2026, to 11,196 as opposed to 18,591 in 2025. That’s a reduction of 40%.

Industry Challenges

Dec 16: The federal PrairiesCan program will invest $3.3 million to support Manitoba’s heavy equipment and vehicles (HEV) sector via creation of the Innovation Garage at RRC Polytech. The money will be used to establish space for industrial-scale collaborative applied HEV research and development, a microgrid lab focused on energy innovation and EV infrastructure and a hydrogen and fuel cell lab to advance clean propulsion systems and other new technologies.

Workers’ Compensation

Feb 28: February 28th is the last day for Manitoba employers to submit their actual 2025 and estimated 2026 workers’ compensation payroll figures to the WCB. Missing the deadline may result in interest, late fees and penalties.

Action Point: Find out how much each province and territory is charging for workers’ compensation premiums in 2026.

Workers’ Compensation

Dec 3: Before recessing, the Manitoba Assembly tabled but will unlikely pass Private Member Bill 228 requiring the WCB to distribute surplus funds to employers if the ratio of the Board's assets to liabilities exceeds 1.25. The distribution would have to reduce the ratio to 1.15 or lower. The Board would also have the discretion to make distributions when the ratio exceeds 1.15. In either case, the amount distributed may not reduce the ratio below 1.0.

CASES

Machine Safety: Manufacturer Fined $20,000 for Failing to Guard Conveyor

A worker whose hand got pulled into the moving parts of a conveyor fractured a wrist and ring finger and lacerations to the middle finger. The company was fined $20,000 for failing to ensure that the conveyor was properly guarded [ECBVerdyol, Govt. Press Release, December 12, 2025].

Action Point: Conveyor entanglement is a leading cause of serious injury and significant OHS fines. Find out how to protect yourself by implementing an effective Conveyor Safety and Compliance Game Plan at your workplace.