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The Corporate Policy and Legislation Branch develops policy on behalf of Manitoba Transportation for senior decision-makers on government-wide initiatives and issues (e.g. Northern Development Strategy, security issues, etc.). The Branch undertakes research, analysis, and policy development for the Transportation Regulation Division and the Department’s transport regulatory boards. Corporate Policy & Legislation co- ordinates the Department’s legislative and regulatory program, and undertakes research and analysis in support of legislative and regulatory initiatives. The branch develops and coordinates driver, vehicle, and related highway safety policy and legislation. It co-ordinates Departmental legislation with other Provincial and Federal statutes, as well as legislative and regulatory amendments required for compliance with trade and other inter-jurisdictional agreements. The following reflects some of the Branch’s major projects in 2005-06:

• Represented Manitoba Transportation, and co-coordinated MB Transportation’s input, on a wide range of strategic Provincial initiatives (Northern Development Strategy, All-Party Task Force on Security, Cabinet Sub-Committee on Security, ADM Disability Committee).

• Participated in the newly constituted Manitoba Road Safety Coordinating Committee.

• Coordinated the development of The Drivers and Vehicles Act (DVA), a new statute, to address the new division of responsibilities between the Department and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) as a result of the merger of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Division of TGS with MPI; prepared supporting explanatory materials for the resulting bill.

• Coordinated amendments associated with the creation of the DVA to the following regulations: ¾ Dealers, Salespersons and Recyclers Regulation;

¾ Driver Examinations Regulation; ¾ Driver’s Licence Regulation;

¾ Driver Training Schools, Instructors and Vehicles Regulation; ¾ Highway Traffic Fees Regulation;

¾ Inspection of Motor Vehicles for Registration Purposes Regulation; ¾ Inspection Station Operators and Qualified Mechanics Regulation; ¾ Periodic Mandatory Vehicle Inspection Regulation;

¾ Vehicle Registration Regulation;

¾ Written-off, Irreparable and Salvageable Motor Vehicles Regulation; ¾ Off-Road Vehicle Regulation;

¾ Off-Road Vehicle Exemption Regulation;

¾ Automobile Insurance Coverage Regulation; and ¾ Off-Road Vehicle Insurance Coverage Regulation.

• Advised MB Justice on amendments to The Offence Notices Regulation (The Summary Convictions Act) necessitated by the creation of the DVA.

• Coordinated regulatory amendments under The Highway Traffic Act to: ¾ Update the list of weight-restricted bridges prescribed in regulation; and

¾ Increase penalties for speeding when the offence occurs in a construction zone where workers are present.

• Supported MB Justice initiatives with amendments to The Highway Traffic Act to:

¾ Enable increased sanctions where an impaired driver is transporting a child in a vehicle; ¾ Impose new sanctions for drivers involved in collisions which result in the death of

another person where a charge is laid under The Highway Traffic Act; and

¾ Impose driver licence suspensions for persons convicted of offences related to procuring the services of a prostitute.

• Developed The Highway Restrictions and Closures Regulation, a new regulation, to enable the long-term restriction and closure of highways for construction projects.

• Facilitating a re-drafting of Part 8 of The Highway Traffic Act pertaining to repeal antiquated legislation related to truck operating authorities and the commercial transport of property and passengers.

• Supported amendments to The Highways and Transportation Act to streamline the prescribed process for the removal of unauthorized materials and structures erected or placed on provincial highways.

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• Prepared reports examining a number of road safety issues including: driver distraction and driver cell phone use, mandatory booster seat use for older children, and mandatory bicycle helmet use.

• Consulted with First Nation daycares regarding child transport and the mandatory use of booster seat use for older children.

• Supported the implementation of the Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund.

• Prepared various temporary highway and bridge restriction and closure orders to support highway maintenance and construction projects.

• Reviewed and provided comments on requests for photo enforcement from various municipalities.

• Prepared documentation for the appointment of qualified testers of image capturing enforcement systems as required under The Highway Traffic Act.

• Reviewed and prepared comments on the Winnipeg Police Service’s second annual Photo Enforcement Program Report.

• Provided ongoing project management of the permit services consolidation initiative to eliminate duplication of permitting services between the Province and the cities of Winnipeg and Brandon.

• Provided research, analysis, and policy advice on the legislative and regulatory framework for bills of lading.

• Provided research and analysis to the Motor Transport Board and the Government regarding applications by Greyhound Canada Transportation to change its scheduled highway bus services in Manitoba.

• Developed and coordinated successful applications to Transport Canada for the cost-sharing of Intelligent Transportation Systems projects, including funding for Road Weather Information Systems and Variable Message Signs deployment.

• Coordinated the fulfillment of TGS requirements under the contribution agreements with Transport Canada (Intelligent Transportation Systems Funding), including project oversight, progress report documentation, and ongoing program evaluation.

• Coordinated the activities of the Permit Automation Steering Committee. Provided policy advice in the ongoing development of the automated permitting system.

• Coordinated the activities of the Project Steering Committee for the Performance-Based Approach to On- Road Regulatory Compliance Study.

• Provided research, analysis, and policy support on the issue of registration reciprocity for Manitoba- based for-hire and commercial motor carriers operating in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

• Continued the comprehensive review of the fees charged for oversize and overweight truck permits. Conducted a study on the impact of changing the method of calculating overweight permit fees, and led a stakeholder consultation to assess support for proposed change.

• At the request of the Manitoba Taxicab Board, undertook a comprehensive study of the impact of rising fuel costs on the taxicab industry in Winnipeg. The resulting report provided options for the Board’s consideration, and resulted in a temporary fuel surcharge being added to fares.

• Provided research and analysis to the Manitoba Motor Transport Board regarding adjustments to the Board’s tariffs of rates for scheduled highway bus service.

• Represented Manitoba in the Canada 511 Consortium, a Federal/Provincial/Territorial/private partnership seeking to establish an integrated weather and traveler information service throughout Canada using the 511 telephone access number.

• Represented Manitoba on the Skills Development Task Force, a Federal/Provincial/Territorial Task Force with a mandate to identify skills shortages in the transportation sector, and identify best practices, promotional activities, and other actions to address skills development challenges facing the transportation sector.

• Represented Manitoba Transportation at a national workshop of the Closing the Gap initiative of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council, an initiative to address the shortage of qualified truck drivers in Canada.

• Undertook research and analysis on a number of issues raised by the trucking industry (licensing and regulation of third party logistics providers, differences in International Registration Plan weight threshold limits among jurisdictions, lack of jurisdictional harmonization in workers compensation board premiums for motor carriers).

• Coordinated the preparation of briefing books for the Minister and selected members of the Executive Management Committee of the Department for meetings of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety, the Council of Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety, and the Policy and Planning Support Committee of the Council of Deputy Ministers.

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