Modernizing Manitoba’s Technical Safety Framework
New Requirements for Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides
Coming September 1, 2026
The Manitoba government is modernizing the province’s approach to the regulation of technical safety equipment through implementation of the new Technical Safety Regulation under The Technical Safety Act. This updated framework will provide greater consistency across regulated equipment types, simplify compliance, support the adoption of new technologies, improve enforcement tools and service delivery, eliminate outdated requirements, and enhance public safety.
About The Technical Safety Act and the Technical Safety Regulation
- The Technical Safety Act establishes a unified framework for regulating technical safety equipment and work in Manitoba.
- The Technical Safety Regulation outlines standardized processes for licensing, permitting, code compliance, inspections, penalties, and variances, and the equipment-specific requirements for each technical safety equipment type.
- It introduces administrative penalties to deter non-compliance and includes mechanisms for reporting technical safety risks and appealing enforcement decisions.
- Flexibility is provided through field approvals and variances, allowing accommodations for unique site conditions while upholding safety standards.
- As of September 1, 2026, the regulation will apply to elevating devices and amusement rides only. This marks Phase 1 of a broader plan to update and consolidate all six technical safety statutes and their associated regulations under a single modern act and regulation. Future phases will address electrical equipment and licensing, gas and oil-burning equipment and licencing, boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration systems, and power engineering.
Phase 1 Changes
- Phase1 adopts more recent equipment codes and standards for elevating and amusement devices, clarifies and streamlines permit requirements, updates and standardizes penalty processes and associated fees, updates mechanic licensing requirements for elevating devices, bases amusement device fees on ride complexity/inspection time, establishes a permitting system for amusement devices, and mandates liability insurance for amusement device owners.
Elevating Devices
New Licensing Model:
The Technical Safety Regulation formalizes the elevator mechanic trade by replacing the existing Elevator M-A electrician’s license with elevator mechanic’s license.
- Class A – Full-scope elevator mechanics
- Class B – Mechanics working only on platform and stair lifts
- Transition period: Existing Elevator M-A licence holders will have five years (until September 1, 2031) to meet the new licensing requirements.
- Supervision: A 1:1 supervision ratio will apply to trainees.
Updated Safety Codes:
Manitoba will adopt the following national code versions:
- ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (2019) – Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (including requirements for Maintenance Control Programs)
- CAN/CSA B355 (2019) – Platform Lifts and Stair Lifts for Barrier-Free Access
- CAN/CSA B311 (2024) – Safety Code for Manlifts
- CSA Z98 (2019) – Passenger Ropeways and Passenger Conveyors
- CAN/CSA Z185 (2023) – Safety Code for Personnel Hoists
Streamlined Permitting:
- The Technical Safety Regulation introduces separate permits for installation and operation phases, allowing conditional use during construction and improved oversight.
- Installation permits will be required for all new installations and major alterations. Equipment owners will pay a single installation permit fee covering drawing reviews and inspections.
- Annual operating permits will include inspection costs in the renewal fee and will be valid for a minimum of one year. Annual, biennial, triennial inspection frequencies will be assigned by inspectors to each elevating device, with discounted fees for devices on longer cycles. For example, a passenger elevator on a biennial inspection schedule would pay $281/year, totalling $562 over the two-year cycle. New operating permits will not be issued each year for devices on biennial or triennial inspection schedules; the permit will remain valid for the full inspection cycle, with annual fees still payable.
- Installation permit applications received on or after September 1, 2026, must meet the newly adopted code editions listed in the Technical Safety Regulation. Licensing requirements will apply to all work performed as of September 1, 2026, regardless of when the installation permit application was submitted.
Fee Structure:
|
Type of Elevating Device |
Installation Permit+ |
Annual Operating Permit (anticipated inspection frequency) |
||
|
|
|
Annual* |
Biennial* |
Triennial* |
|
Passenger Elevator |
$824 |
$312 |
$281 |
$250 |
|
Freight Elevator |
$824 |
$312 |
$281 |
$250 |
|
Escalator |
$824 |
$312 |
$281 |
$250 |
|
Dumbwaiter |
$412 |
$156 |
$141 |
$125 |
|
Manlift |
$824 |
$234 |
$211 |
$187 |
|
Personnel Hoist |
$515 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Moving Walk |
$824 |
$312 |
$281 |
$250 |
|
Platform lifts and stair lifts for barrier-free access |
$824 |
$156 |
$141 |
$125 |
|
Material Lift |
$824 |
$312 |
$281 |
$250 |
|
Ski Chairlift |
$824 |
$787 |
- |
- |
|
Rope Tow |
$412 |
$234 |
- |
- |
|
Ski Tow |
$412 |
$234 |
- |
- |
+ Includes drawing review.
* The director may require the annual, biennial or triennial fee for an operating permit be paid based on the anticipated frequency of inspections needed to ensure that the elevating device in question does not present an unacceptable technical safety risk.
Amusement Rides
New Permitting Model:
The Technical Safety Regulation replaces the previous inspection-fee model with a new permitting system, aligning amusement rides with other regulated technical safety equipment. This will improve accountability, enhance safety, and provide consistent oversight. Operators will be required to obtain an annual operating permit for each amusement ride.
Updated Safety Code:
The CSA Z267-00 standard currently enforced in Manitoba is no longer supported by CSA. To replace this referenced standard, the Technical Safety Regulation now includes the adoption of the following ASTM standards:
- ASTM F2783-Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices, in Canada (2020 version);
- ASTM F747-Standard Terminology Relating to Amusement Rides and Devices (2024 version);
- ASTM F770- Standard Practice for Ownership, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices (2024 version);
- ASTM F2974a Standard Practice for Auditing Amusement Rides and Devices (2024 version);
- ASTM F2007-Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Operation of Concession Go-Karts and Facilities (2024 version).
Liability Insurance:
- Amusement ride owners will be required to carry a minimum of $2 million in liability insurance. This ensures protection for both riders and operators and standardizes coverage across the industry.
Ride Fee Structure:
- $150 per ride (portable and non-portable)
- $100 per kiddie ride (designed primarily for children under 12)
- Additional Inspections: $300 for a second or subsequent inspection per ride/year
Legislation:
The Technical Safety Regulation
More Information Coming Soon:
Additional guides, bulletins, and application forms will be published over the coming months to help owners, operators, and contractors prepare for the new requirements.
For updates, please check back regularly here: Bulletins, Guides and Forms
Questions:
Submit to Email: ITSEDintake@gov.mb.ca or Telephone: 1-204-945-3373.
