The Manitoba government has introduced a package of legislative proposals aimed at consumer protection and energy management. Plans include expanding rent control to cover more expensive units by raising the rent ceiling from $1,670 to $2,000 per month.
The government also plans to reduce the percentage of upgrade costs landlords can pass on to renters and increase administrative penalties for violations. Consumer Protection Minister Mintu Sandhu stated this represents the largest expansion to rent control in decades.
A new bill will prohibit businesses from using customer personal data to implement differential pricing, particularly targeting practices that could lead to higher prices based on shopping history. The Retail Council of Canada has indicated such pricing is not currently used by food retailers in Manitoba.
In the energy sector, two bills aim to bolster Manitoba's electrical grid. Manitoba Hydro may be authorized to charge up to double normal electricity rates to high-demand users, including cryptocurrency operations and large data centers. Another measure allows Manitoba Hydro to curtail power use by crypto miners during peak demand periods. Finance Minister Adrien Sala described crypto-mining as a "low-value driver" to the provincial economy.
Additional proposed legislation includes expanding the definition of bullying in schools, requiring sports organizations to develop inclusion policies, and introducing new regulations for electric scooters and vehicle driver assistance features.