Maximum fine for repeat offenders will jump from $300,000 to $500,000
Maximum fines for workplace safety violations in Manitoba will increase substantially under proposed legislative amendments in Bill 4, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, introduced by Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard.
“These amendments will substantially increase the fine levels under the act to better reflect the serious nature of violating laws that protect workers,” said Howard. “Higher maximum fines increase their deterrence value and send a message that serious safety and health violations have serious consequences.”
The current maximum fines under are $150,000 for the first offence and $300,000 for a second or subsequent offence. They are among the lowest in the country. The government is acting on a recommendation from the Minister’s Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health to increase the maximum fine levels to $250,000 for a first offence and $500,000 for a second or subsequent offence.
“The advisory council is made up of an equal number of representatives from employers, labour, and health and safety technical organizations,” noted the minister. “I’m very pleased that all advisory council members endorsed this effort.”
The maximum fines have not changed since they were set in 1997.
