PCs Look Forward to Busy Fall Legislative Agenda, Putting Manitobans First
WINNIPEG — Manitoba PCs are already looking forward to the next legislative sitting in the fall with strong legislation that puts the interests of Manitobans first.
The PC bills brought forward this fall will tackle crime prevention, improve women’s healthcare, grow the economy, expand consumer choice, and protect our wildlife, while holding Wab Kinew’s NDP to account for Manitoba’s cratering economy, job losses, and the ongoing affordability crisis.
“We’re listening to Manitobans and putting their needs first,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “While the NDP continue to impose record tax increases on Manitobans with their disastrous school tax scheme, we’re focused on growing the economy, reducing crime, and improving healthcare.”
The PC bills include:
Bill 226 – The Health System Governance and Accountability Amendment Act (Debbie’s Law) — This is a common-sense measure that will require health authorities to inform patients when they are unable to treat the patient’s serious medical condition within the medically recommended timeframe. Patients must also be informed of their options to seek life-saving medical treatment outside Manitoba.
Bill 203 – The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act — This bill requires the Minister of Health to implement a plan to lower the initial eligibility age for routine breast cancer screenings without a referral to 40 years old by no later than Dec. 31, 2026. This bill also mandates that the minister report annually on the implementation and impact of this initiative to the Legislative Assembly.
Bill 236 – The Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Stalking-Related Measures) — This bill targets stalkers who use vehicles to prey on their victims. The bill would allow the courts to impose an automatic driver’s licence suspension on people convicted of criminal harassment if a vehicle has been used in the commission of the crime. Bill 236 also authorizes police to seize and impound a vehicle if officers discover the person using the vehicle was committing criminal harassment.
Bill 222 – The Criminal Trespassers Act — This is another common-sense measure that would protect homeowners and property owners from frivolous lawsuits from criminals. It protects property owners from being held legally responsible for the injury or death of a person who trespasses for the purpose of committing a crime.
Bill 221 – The Wildlife Amendment Act — This bill provides better protection for protected wildlife. It increases penalties for unlawfully hunting or trapping a protected species, such as a bald eagle. A person convicted can be fined $10,000 to $100,000 and sent to prison for up to one year. Repeat offenders could be fined $20,000 to $200,000 and jailed for up to two years.
Bill 201 – The MLLC Amendment Act (Expanding Liquor Retail) — This bill expands consumer choice to Manitobans and expands the sale of liquor on a trial basis. Under a five-year pilot project, retail beer vendors, specialty wine stores, and manufacturers would be able to sell all types of liquor.
“We will continue listening to Manitobans over the summer to learn what’s important to them, and develop more legislation to grow the economy, fight crime, make life more affordable, fix healthcare, and get rid of the disastrous NDP school tax scheme,” said Khan. “The new era of the PCs has arrived, and we’re putting Manitobans first.”
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