New rules against election disinformation among bills set to pass in Manitoba

The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — Manitoba politicians were set Thursday to pass bills aimed at banning election disinformation, guarding social housing stock and changing income taxes as the legislature session was set to expire.

One of the bills, tabled in March, would introduce fines of up to $20,000 a day for election disinformation, including so-called "deepfake" videos that falsely portray candidates.

The bill also includes penalties for intentionally misleading information about voter eligibility, the conduct of elections officials, and the people or companies that provide ballots and vote-counting machines.

The NDP government says measures are needed to protect Manitoba elections from some of the controversies seen in the United States, where election officials have come under attack.

"I think it's really important that we have a legislative framework in Manitoba that strengthens our democracy. Everybody sees what's occurring, unfortunately, down south," said government house leader Nahanni Fontaine.

The bill also reduces the maximum amount of money people can contribute to a candidate or party, and requires parties to set up a system to field public complaints about their advertisements.

Another bill headed to a final vote Thursday night implements changes announced in the spring budget. One of the major changes will see the province stop increasing tax brackets in line with inflation.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives said the change means income-earners will end up being pushed into higher tax brackets, even if they only keep up with inflation.

"This minister is increasing income taxes by $82 million this year," said Tory finance critic Lauren Stone.

Taxes and affordability have been a key battle point between the NDP and the Tories.

The government has taken out ads to promote its reductions in fuel taxes and an increase in a credit for education property taxes. Finance Minister Adrien Sala said Thursday families across the province are seeing savings.

But credit rating agency S&P Global said earlier this year the province's tax-saving measures are more than outweighed by the extra money being taken from the income tax change and the recent elimination of a property tax rebate.

Other bills set to become law include one that will prevent owners of many government-funded social housing units from selling their buildings without provincial consent.

The Tories say the requirement will scare away homebuilders, but the government said the bill is needed to ensure public housing units remain affordable after a change of ownership.

Another bill formalizes a policy requiring O Canada to be sung daily at schools. A little-used provision that required God Save the King to be played is being eliminated following a controversy that erupted with one school division earlier this year.

The NDP government did not get its full set of bills passed.

One that would have required judges to weigh in any time the government invokes the notwithstanding clause to override rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was introduced late in the session and did not get to a vote.

The Court of Appeal would not have the authority to strike down legislation invoking the notwithstanding clause under the bill, but could comment on it.

Fontaine said the bill will be reintroduced in the next session, slated to start Nov. 18.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press