This section covers your rights under the law in Manitoba, and who to contact for information and protection. There is also information on interpreter services, if you prefer to speak to someone in your first language. The section includes information about some laws in Manitoba of which you may be unaware. There are lists of phone numbers to assist you in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Laws in Manitoba

Many religions, languages and cultural backgrounds are represented in Canada. Everyone is equal according to the law, and there are laws to help us if we are treated unfairly.

The laws in Manitoba may be quite different from the laws in other countries. The Manitoba Department of Justice web site has information about some laws in Manitoba - www.gov.mb.ca/justice . The Community Legal Education Association has general information on the law. They also make referrals to lawyers. They offer a free telephone service that allows people to talk to lawyers over the phone. They also have training programs to familiarize people with the laws in Manitoba and Canada. For more information, contact:

Community Legal Education Association
501 – 294 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0B9
Phone: (204) 943-2382 / Toll Free: 1-800-261-2960
Email: info@communitylegal.mb.ca 
Web Site: www.communitylegal.mb.ca 

If you need help finding a lawyer or need general legal information for the province of Manitoba (Canada), contact the Law Phone-in and Lawyer Referral Services at 943-2305.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission enforces the Manitoba Human Rights Code. It investigates claims of discrimination in matters under provincial jurisdiction, such as education and health. For more information, call:

Manitoba Human Rights Commission
7th floor – 175 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 3R8
Phone: (204) 945-3007
Fax: (204) 945-1292
Hearing & Speech Impaired: 945-3442
Toll Free: 1-800-884-8681*
E-mail: hrc@gov.mb.ca
Web Site: www.gov.mb.ca/hrc

The Canadian Human Rights Commission enforces the Canadian Human Rights Code. It investigates claims of discrimination in matters under federal jurisdiction, such as the RCMP or Canada Post. It shares an office with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. For more information call:

Canadian Human Rights Commission
750-175 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 3R8
Phone: (204) 983-2189 / Toll Free at 1-800-999-6899
Hearing Impaired: (204) 983-2882
Web Site: www.chrc-ccdp.ca

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Legal Aid

If you need legal advice and can't afford a lawyer, you may qualify for Legal Aid. If you qualify, you may get free legal services. Legal Aid will assess your income and assets to determine whether you qualify for assistance. For more information contact:

* Toll free means that you do not have to pay for the long distance phone call. It will not appear on your phone bill.

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Expanded Eligibility Program

If you earn too much money to be eligible for Legal Aid, but don't make enough to pay for a lawyer, you may get help from the Expanded Eligibility Program. Legal Aid will pay your legal expenses, and you can repay Legal Aid in small monthly instalments. For more information, call Legal Aid at the numbers listed above.

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Interpreters

You may feel more comfortable if you take an interpreter with you when you seek legal advice. Contact:

Language Bank
International Centre
406 Edmonton Street
Winnipeg MB R3B 2M2
Phone: (204) 943-9158
This service is provided by volunteers. You may have to pay for their services.

Independent Interpreter Referral Service (IIRS)
1 Forks Market Road
Winnipeg MB R3C 4L9
Phone: (204) 475-6332 Fax: (204) 475-0688
Email: IIRS@mts.net 
IIRS charges a fee for their services.

Association of Translators and Interpreters in Manitoba (ATIM)
Phone: (204) 797-3247

Other interpreters are listed in the Yellow Pages, under Translators and Interpreters.

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Some Laws in Manitoba

Legal Age for Drinking Alcohol

The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18. It is illegal to serve alcohol to minors (people under the age of 18) in bars, restaurants and other public places. Establishments that serve minors could receive a fine plus court costs.

It may be a good idea to carry photo identification (ID) when you go to licensed establishments. If you are asked for ID and don't have it, you will not be served. You can use your driver's license, passport or citizenship card for ID. You can also buy a government issued photo ID from the Liquor Control Commission (LCC). For more information, call the LCC at (204) 474-5616.

See this web site for more information: www.mlcc.mb.ca/e/rpn-showyourage.shtml

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Drinking Alcohol in Public Places

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, such as streets or parks. If you are caught, you could pay a fine plus court costs. You may drink in your own home and on your own property.

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Drinking and Driving

Manitoba has very strict laws about drinking and driving. If you have a Graduated License, you cannot drive with any alcohol in your blood. All other drivers who are caught driving with a blood alcohol level over .05 are considered impaired. They could lose their driver's license, their right to drive, and may have their car impounded. Anyone caught driving while their license is suspended will have their vehicle taken away (seized) and locked up (impounded).

See this web site for more information: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/impaired/index.html

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Shoplifting

It is illegal to steal in Manitoba. Most stores have security cameras. They watch customers while they shop in the store. If a person is caught shoplifting, they will be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.

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Babysitting

Never leave your children at home alone. Every child in Canada under the age of 12 must be supervised at all times by an adult. A babysitter (12 years of age or older) may take care of the children for a short time. A relative or other responsible adult can care for the children. An adult should prepare the babysitter by teaching him/her about safety and an emergency plan.

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Disciplining Children

People have different ideas about what constitutes "reasonable discipline" of children. Common practices in Canada may be different from other countries. The law in Manitoba says that parents cannot use physical punishment to discipline their children. Parents cannot hit, slap, hurt or punch their kids.

Parents have the main role in protecting their children. However, if parents hurt, neglect or fail to protect their children, they could be charged with the criminal offence of child abuse.

If you would like more information about disciplining children in Canada, please call the Child Welfare & Family Support office or talk to a counselor at your child's school.

Child Protection & Support
Manitoba Family Services and Housing
201-114 Garry Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 4V7
Phone: (204) 945-6964 Fax: 945-6717
Web Site: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/

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Child Protection

In Canada, parents have the main role in protecting their children. If a parent, guardian or other adult hurts a child, they can be charged with child abuse. It is never okay to engage in sexual activity with a child, and sexual activity without the consent of the other person is always a crime, regardless of the age of that person.

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Soliciting Prostitutes

It is illegal to solicit the services of a prostitute. If someone is caught asking a prostitute for sex, they and their family could suffer public humiliation by having their name published in the newspaper. They could also be charged by the police. It is a criminal offence.

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Domestic Violence

Manitoba has a Zero Tolerance policy about domestic abuse. This means that violence in any form (physical, emotional, sexual) against women or children is a crime. Abuse towards partners (spouse, common-law spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or other intimate partner – past or present) is against the law. It is treated very seriously by the police and courts. Child abuse and abuse of the elderly are also very serious offences.

If you know of someone who is at risk of being hurt, it is your obligation to report it to the police. If you know of someone who needs information, support, counselling or shelter, refer to the following lists.

For more information, visit this web site: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/domestic/index.html

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Phone Help Lines

For Information, Support, Counselling or Shelter

24-Hour Emergency Help Lines:

• Children's Hospital Emergency - (204) 787-2306
• Child Find Manitoba - (204) 945-5735
• Domestic Violence Crisis Line - (204) 877-988-0007
• Klinic Crisis Line - (204) 786-8686
• Manitoba Crime Stoppers - Toll free: 1-800-782-8477
• Osborne House (204) 942-3052 - for victims of domestic violence
• Poison Help Line - (204) 787-2591
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line (204) 786-8631
• Youth Emergency - (204) 949-4777

Also see Page 1 of the Winnipeg phone book for more information on Emergency and Non-Emergency Services.

Help for Immigrants and Refugees:

• Mount Carmel Clinic - Cross-Cultural Counselling (204) 589-9420 or 589-9429
• Needs Centre for War Affected Families (204) 940-1260
• Jewish Child and Family Services (204) 477-7430 
• Welcome Place – (204) 977-1000
• International Centre – (204) 943-9158

Help for Women:

• Immigrant Women's Counselling Service of Manitoba (204) 940-2172
• Klinic Community Health Centre - Evolve Program (204) 784-4070
• A Woman's Place - (legal help) 940-6624
• Mount Carmel Cross-Cultural Counseling Service - 589-9420
• Needs Centre for War Affected Families - 940-1260
• SERC - Sexuality Education Resource Centre (204) 982-7800 (reproductive health information, omit pre-and post natal classes; services in non-English languages, parenting programs for newcomers.)
• Women's Advocacy Program (204) 945-6851
• Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre (204) 477-1123

Help for the Elderly:

• Age and Opportunity Centre - 956-6440

Help for Families:

• Child and Family Services - (204) 944-4050 Has a 24 hour emergency help line
• Family Centre of Winnipeg (204) 947-1401
• Gambling Help Line - (204) 944-6382
• Winnipeg Police Service (204) 986-6222 – www.winnipeg.ca

Help for Young People:

• Teen Touch (204) 783-1116 Toll free: 1-800-563-8336
• Kids Help Phone Line - Toll free: 1-800-668-6868
• Child Guidance Clinic (204) 786-7841
• Child Protection Centre at the Health Sciences Centre (204) 787-2811

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