Labour officials in Manitoba have signalled a move towards establishing a mandatory standard for asbestos remediation and removal that mirrors the SAFE Work Manitoba program, a pivot from the current voluntary training.
Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino wrote to parts of the province’s construction sector in June to expect new regulations by the fall, which would be implemented after a two-year transition period. A public registry would identify workers who have completed the mandatory safety certification.
A Manitoba committee of industry and labour experts published its recommendation in January to create stricter risk assessment training for the carcinogenic and fibrous silicate mineral. Asbestos, though largely phased out by 1990, was often used in roofing materials and insulation prior to being fully banned in Canada by 2018.
The Manitoba Federation of Labour estimates that approximately six people still die every year in the province from asbestos exposure, particularly as the result of demolition and construction projects.
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British Columbia was the first province to establish mandatory asbestos training standards in 2024. It was considered to be the leading cause of workplace-related deaths in the province.
Currently, Manitoba’s voluntary worker training program for asbestos removal takes 30 hours to complete.
