View From the Legislature

As winter slowly begins to loosen its grip on Manitobans, there are encouraging signs on a number of fronts. The warmer weather coincides with the official beginning of spring, which is also the date that was announced back on February 2nd by health officials as the target for health restrictions to be lifted in Manitoba. The ending of mandates and the warmer weather are welcome changes in a world that is still very much feeling the stress and concern of conflict in Ukraine.

At the Manitoba Legislature, there is also a much more familiar feeling as all MLAs have been able to attend in person for the first time in almost two years and the Legislature itself is again preparing for a broader reopening to the public. And as legislation gets introduced and debated in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, there are a number of familiar themes. In addition to the budgetary matters that are brought forward in the spring, centred around the provincial budget itself, this year much of the legislation that is coming forward for debate reflects lessons learned over the past two years.

Prior to 2020 there was already a march toward the greater use of technology across government. That pace accelerated greatly as in person meetings became more difficult. However, many of the laws on the books of Manitoba prohibited some meetings from taking place virtually or some documents from being signed electronically. Under the provincial state of emergency order, these types of meetings and transactions were allowed but it became clear that there was a desire to continue to be able to conduct business in a more flexible way after the state of the emergency ended and restrictions lifted.

Last year that began with legislation that allowed many legal documents to continue to be signed virtually and electronically. This both makes some legal services more accessible to northern and remote communities and makes the transactions more convenient while still being safe. In addition, legislation has been introduced to allow for institutions such as Credit Unions or condominium and corporate directors to continue to hold virtual meetings in the future if they choose. This is consistent with what we are seeing in other provinces. In addition, just as the courts and the Legislature have utilized technology to a much greater extent over the past two years to both meet and make their meetings more accessible to the public, so to have a number of tribunals and other hearings-based entities been able to continue to function using this technology.

In many cases, this proved not just to be a way to continue to function in the interim, but often was found to be a very efficient and effective way to operate and to make proceedings more accessible and flexible for those that are participating in them or simply want to observe. While there was already a movement in the direction of allowing for virtual and electronic meetings and documentation, the necessity of the past two years gave it urgency and ultimately in many cases, proved to be an option that is worth continuing to allow.