The Manitoba Legislature wrapped up its spring sitting with the passage of legislation that will remove the provincial sales tax (PST) from groceries beginning July 1.
Government House Leader Nahanni Fontaine said Bill 53, the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, is among more than 40 bills passed during the third session of the 43rd legislature.
The legislation also increases the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit to $1,700 and the Renters Affordability Tax Credit to $675.
Other bills passed during the session include consumer protection measures that prohibit retailers from using personal data to adjust prices, legislation aimed at improving patient safety and health-care accountability, measures to implement nurse-to-patient ratios and reduce mandatory overtime for nurses, and amendments limiting employers from requiring sick notes for absences of up to seven days.
The government also passed legislation restricting the sale of long-bladed weapons and pepper spray, as well as changes requiring drivers with Class 1 to 4 licences to maintain zero blood-alcohol levels.
According to the province, investments in front-line staff have contributed to a record number of physicians practising in Manitoba and the hiring of 48 new provincially funded police officers. The government also cited statistics from the Winnipeg Police Service showing a 48 per cent decrease in homicides in 2025.
Fontaine said the government remains focused on lowering costs, improving health care and creating jobs while maintaining what it says is the lowest deficit-to-GDP ratio in Canada.
