STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
New provincial regulatory changes took effect January 1, 2025, affecting operators of regulated vehicles — buses, motor vehicles, and trailers with a registered gross weight of 4,500 kg or more — who are required to hold a Safety Fitness Certificate.
Key changes include:
- Regulation Consolidation: Certain regulated vehicle requirements are now part of the “Regulated Vehicles (Safety Fitness, Operator Identification and Records and Vehicle Exemptions) Regulation”.
- Enhanced Safety Oversight: Authorities can refuse to issue a Safety Fitness Certificate or assign a safety fitness rating based on an operator’s safety record or ties to a high-risk operator.
- Onboard Documentation: Operators must carry a copy of their Safety Fitness Certificate in the vehicle when operating in Manitoba.
- Updated Vehicle Markings: By July 1, 2025, all regulated vehicles must display the registered owner’s National Safety Code (NSC) number.
Additionally, Manitoba is strengthening enforcement against “chameleon carriers” (companies that reopen under a new name to evade past safety violations). These carriers undermine road safety and may also engage in labor violations, such as misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
For operators, these changes emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong safety record and ensuring compliance with updated regulatory requirements.
For further information you can email MCSafety@gov.mb.ca or Telephone 204-945-5322 or 1-877-340-9068.
