On April 15, 2020, the government of Manitoba announced the
introduction of Bill 54, The Emergency Measures Amendment
Act. The Bill, when enacted, will grant the province sweeping
new powers in the event of a declared emergency.
Under current legislation, The Emergency Measures Act,
the mayor or reeve of a local authority or the minister responsible
for the Act may make emergency orders that are intended to prevent
or limit loss of life, or damage to property or the environment.
The proposed new sections 12.3 to 12.15 introduce three new
categories of orders that may be issued by Cabinet (referred to in
the legislation as the Lieutenant Governor in Council). Those
categories are:
