After an all-night sitting, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba ended the 2nd Session of the 43rd Legislature this morning after weeks of debate on legislative proposals and question periods focused on health care wait times, property taxes, public safety, and affordability.
The session concluded with Manitoba in a declared state of emergency, as uncontrollable wildfires forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. In response, Manitobans from all corners of the province have generously opened their homes and helped with temporary shelter, while donations continue to flood in.
Should you wish to donate to those affected by the wildfires you can do so online at www.redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111. Counsel Public Affairs is proud to have donated $5,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for those affected by the fires in Manitoba.
Session Highlights
‘Fair Trade in Canada Act’ Among 30 Bills Passed
The session was characterized by intense debate and one of the most substantial legislative agendas in recent Manitoba history. Over 30 bills were enacted, including Bill 47, The Fair Trade in Canada Act (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition), and amendments to The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act (Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day). This legislation aims to eliminate trade barriers for goods and services between Manitoba and other provinces. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives had pledged to oppose the bill, while the governing NDP threatened to extend the session throughout the summer until its passage. A contributing factor to the contention was that the Opposition had introduced a similar bill weeks earlier, and they took umbrage when the NDP presented its own version.
Scathing Ethics Report on Former PC Government
The Manitoba Ethics Commissioner handed down a scathing report towards the end of the session. In his 100 page report, Commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor ruled that former PC Premier Heather Stefanson, former Justice Minister Cliff Cullen and former Economic Development Minister Jeff Wharton violated the province’s conflict-of-interest law when they tried to approve a silica sand extraction project after the PC’s lost the October 2023 provincial election thereby offending the “caretaker convention.” The Commissioner ruled that fines should be levied against the three; $18,000 for Stefanson, $12,000 for Cullen and $10,000 for Wharton. The fines will be debated by the Legislature this fall.
Tackling Homelessness
In January, the government announced Your Way Home, Manitoba’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. The plan focuses on moving the estimated 700 people currently in homeless encampments into housing. The initiative is being led by Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, previously the CEO of Siloam Mission. As of May 9, 2025, 33 people had been rehoused under the program. Your Way Home also builds on budget 2025’s investment of $116 million to build 350 social and affordable housing units & repair over 3,000 more. The outline for the plan says it will take until the end of 2031 to complete.
First Supervised Consumption Site
The proposed location for Manitoba’s first supervised drug consumption site at 200 Disraeli Freeway has elicited criticism directed at the Minister for Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness, the Hon. Bernadette Smith. Applications were submitted on November 21, 2024, to repurpose the building. Concerns have been raised by the Opposition and Point Douglas residents regarding the site’s proximity to educational institutions and a daycare. Residents have previously criticized the province for failing to consult them prior to selecting the site. The province claims that consultations are ongoing, and no definitive decision has been reached. The application remains under review.
Province Maintains A+ Rating
Independent experts S&P Global has affirmed Manitoba’s A+ credit rating along with a stable outlook. Finance Minister, Adrian Sala took to Instagram to share the news of the first post budget 2025 report card.
Legislature Returns Oct. 1
MLA’s will now spend the summer in their constituencies and will return for the next session of the Legislature on October 1, 2025.