Manitoba’s new provincial government enacted key pieces of legislation for Manitobans during the first session of the 43rd Manitoba legislature, passing three major bills that include a gas tax holiday starting Jan. 1, 2024.
“Manitobans gave our government a strong mandate to right the course of our province,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “We’ve taken this message of unity and collaboration in stride. In our first legislative session, our team worked together to pass important laws, to take steps forward on reconciliation and deliver on lowering costs for Manitoba families.”
The premier noted the bills passed by the government during this legislative session are:
- the Fuel Tax Amendment Act, which will lower costs for Manitoba families, farmers and businesses, taking 14 cents off per litre every time they head to the pump;
- the Orange Shirt Day Act, which will allow more Manitobans, including those who work in provincially regulated workplaces, to take time to recognize the stories and resilience of residential school survivors. This new law is grounded in the work of residential school survivors and fulfils the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80; and
- the Louis Riel Act, which recognizes Riel as the honorary first premier of Manitoba and provides more tools to educators to include his legacy in the curriculum for students across the province.
The government also acted to immediately address emergency department wait times, strengthen public health-care services and add 31 new beds at the Grace Hospital, said Kinew.
“Our government has made critical investments to repair the public health-care system and we are looking forward to hearing from front-line health-care professionals during our upcoming listening tour,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
Another highlight of the session was welcoming the public back to the Manitoba Legislative Building for the Holiday Open House on Dec. 2, noted Kinew.
The legislative session is scheduled to resume on March 6, 2024.
