Provincial government releases three new bills

More bills

The provincial government has released three bills to prevent a patient from being jailed for treatment of an infectious disease, increase grocery store competition to lower food prices, and make it easier to evict tenants whose unlawful conduct puts their neighbours at risk.

Bill 33 – the Public Health Amendment Act says a person who fails to comply with a communicable disease order and poses a threat to public health may only be detained in a “hospital or other facility” set out by regulations. The bill was introduced in response to the detention last year of Geraldine Mason, a 36-year-old from God’s Lake First Nation, to treat her tuberculosis.

The health report for the apprehension order filed by a medical health officer said Mason – who spent a month in jail – was arrested after missing multiple treatments resulting in her having “remained infectious for much longer than necessary” and infecting several people.

In December, Premier Wab Kinew directed Manitoba’s chief public health officer to order an end to using jails to force people into treatment.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said Wednesday the legislation will ensure that health care facilities are the proper place for patients to receive treatment. The bill also would require a provincial court judge rather than a justice of the peace to issue the order to detain.

Bill 31 – the Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act takes aim at restrictive covenants and exclusivity clauses that prevent grocery stores and supermarkets from opening.

“Our focus is opening up the market to grocers,” said Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu.

The legislation would ban the practice of large businesses freezing out competition in a bid to increase the number of grocers and lower food prices.

The status quo allows supermarket chains to essentially draw a circle on a map when they set up a location to prevent competition, Kinew said in November.

Bill 31- the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Measures to Address Unlawful Activities) allows a landlord to evict a tenant who engages in unlawful activity in a ” residential complex” if that conduct poses a significant risk to the safety of other tenants.

The bill lists drug and human trafficking as examples. It would allow a landlord to apply for an order of possession with any relevant evidence or information provided by a police officer or an investigator appointed or designated under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act.