April 28, 2020
Province Implements New Temporary Orders Under The Emergency Measures Act
– – –Orders Support Manitobans' Well-being and Livelihoods: Pallister
The Manitoba government is implementing four new temporary orders under The Emergency Measures Act to protect vulnerable Manitobans, to help the economy, and to ensure the flow of goods and supplies into and out of Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
“The health and safety of all Manitobans, especially those most vulnerable, is our number one priority as we fight COVID-19 and navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Pallister. “Our government is listening and acting on the concerns brought forward by our partners in various areas, such as social services, post-secondary education and the transportation industry. We are suspending certain statutory requirements and extending deadlines with the well-being of Manitobans in mind.”
The province is implementing four orders, retroactive to the beginning of the state of emergency March 20:
• Youth in Care Provisions Order,
• Student Aid Provisions Order,
• International Fuel Tax Agreement Credential Provisions Order, and
• Trucking and Transportation Provisions Order.
“We’re making responsible, common sense adjustments because it’s the right thing to do in this time of crisis,” said Pallister. “Youth in the care of Manitoba Child and Family Services (CFS) will continue to be supported, even if they age out of the system during this state of emergency. Post-secondary students and graduates won’t have to stress about losing eligibility for student aid or repaying loans during this time.
“We’re also taking steps to extend permits and to safely reduce some regulatory requirements for truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators to ensure they can stay on the road and continue the movement of essential goods and supplies.”
Under the Youth in Care Provisions Order, youth in the CFS system who turn 18 during this period must continue to be offered ongoing supports. This extension also applies to young adults who have chosen to sign a voluntary agreement to continue to receive assistance as they transition to independence, which would allow them to remain eligible beyond age 21.
The Student Aid Provisions Order allows post-secondary students to remain eligible for aid, even if they temporarily stop qualifying during the state of emergency period. The provision lowers the minimum monthly repayment to $0 from $25, suspends the obligation for a student to start paying back their loan eight months after they end their studies, prevents borrowers from going into default during the state of emergency period and extends the maximum term for repayment. Those with existing loans are not obligated to pay back their loan for six months beginning March 30.
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Credential Provisions Order suspends the requirement that a carrier licensed under the agreement must have and display credentials, and the province will not fine licensed carriers if their licensing authority was unable to distribute their credentials.
The province previously provided relief to carriers who do not have an IFTA licence in The Fuel Tax Amendment and Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act. The requirement to obtain a single-trip permit for each truck entering Manitoba was suspended for the duration of the state of emergency.
The Trucking and Transportation Provisions Order is extending the expiry dates on certain permits, certificates or registrations until July 31. This includes qualifying vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP), the vehicle registration system for trucks and buses operating inter-jurisdictionally between Manitoba and other provinces or states throughout North America. Deadlines to pay IRP registration renewal charges are also extended. The order also extends the period between required inspections on vehicles such as buses and commercial carriers, extends annual overweight or over-dimensional vehicle permits, and extends safety fitness certificates for commercial carriers. The order will also provide a temporary exemption from the need for single-trip permits for increased vehicle weights and for commercial vehicles from other jurisdictions.
The regular three-month deadline for new residents and non-residents to replace their out-of-province driving permits with a Manitoba driver’s licence, vehicle registration or insurance is also extended to July 31 (or three months after they enter the province, whichever time period is longer).
The province has the ability to revoke any of the above orders sooner than stated above if it deems necessary.
A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at:
https://manitoba.ca/bg/2020/04/covid19.html.
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