Manitoba Enacts New Law to Curb Machete Violence

The Manitoba government will proclaim the long-bladed weapon control act, which regulates the retail sale of long-bladed weapons, on Dec. 31, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today.

“Manitoba was a leader in Canada when we were the first government to introduce this legislation just two months ago,” said Wiebe. “Enough is enough, the scourge of machete violence has no place in our province and needs to end. Every Manitoban deserves to feel safe in their community and our government is committed to getting tough on crime and making our streets safer. We’ll continue to take bold, decisive action to ensure no more Manitobans experience the horrors of machete violence.”

Restrictions on the retail sale of long-bladed weapons, including machetes, knives and swords, will take effect on Dec. 31. The restrictions include:

• requiring retailers to securely store long-bladed weapons in a way that prevents the public from accessing them without assistance;
• prohibiting the retail sale of long-bladed weapons to minors under the age of 18 years old;
• requiring purchasers to provide photo identification; and
• requiring retailers to retain records including purchaser information and transaction details for a minimum of two years.

The Manitoba government consulted with law enforcement, the retail sector and Indigenous leadership to develop a corresponding regulation that:

• proscribes additional materials that a blade may be made of including ceramic material, carbon fibre and fibreglass-reinforced plastic or nylon;
• exempts specific types of tools from the requirements of the act including hedge trimmers, pruning shears and any type of saw;
• exempts retailers where a majority of products sold are a range of kitchenware products from the requirements of the act;
• outlines the types of acceptable identification, modelled after what is accepted by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries; and
• provides direction related to sales and inventory records including protecting privacy by prohibiting the copying of photo identification.

“Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and our nations commend the province of Manitoba for the continuing collaboration with our organization regarding the introduction of Bill 39, the long-bladed weapon control act, which will restrict the sale of long-bladed weapons including machetes,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. “This has been a concern for many of our nations and will go a long way in addressing the violence that comes with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. This marks another concrete measure which MKO hopes will result in safer and healthier communities for our citizens in the north and for all Manitobans. While this is a positive step, we must not lose sight that there is still much work to be done. We look forward to continuing the work to collectively create positive change to support public safety in our First Nations.”

“I am pleased to have worked with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak staff to provide insight and recommendations on the drafting of Manitoba’s Bill 39, the long-bladed weapon control act, and its accompanying regulations,” said Chief Angela Levasseur, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. “This legislation must be part of a comprehensive strategy that empowers First Nations to directly address public safety on our own lands.”

“The inner city really appreciates the government’s action on controlling machetes as they have no place on our streets,” said Sel Burrows, community activist. “I and other activists look forward to working with stores to ensure they understand the rules and regulations and working as a community to report any bad actors as we fight to end machete violence.”

Manitoba Justice has also written to major online retailers asking them to comply with the intent of the legislation.

More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/justice/long-bladedweaponcontrol.html.

To view the regulation(s) as registered, visit: https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/annual/2024/128.php?lang=en.