Conservation Officers Regulation

Conservation Officers Regulation, M.R. 155/2015 The Conservation Officers Act , C.C.S.M. c. C177 Regulation 155/2015 Registered September 18, 2015 bilingual version (HTML) Table of Contents Section 1 Definitions 2 Qualifications 3 Required training 4 Powers under Highway Traffic Act 5 Powers under Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act 5.1 Powers under Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act 5.2 Powers under Public Health Act 6 Firearms 7 Firearm training 8 Drawing and discharging firearms 9 Permitted uses of firearm 10 Uniforms 11 Identification cards and badges 12 Additional equipment 13 Complaints 14 Coming into force Definitions 1 The following definitions apply in this regulation. "Act" means The Conservation Officers Act. («  Loi  ») "aerosol weapon" means a device from which a substance can be propelled as a spray for the purpose of incapacitating a person. (« arme-aérosol ») "director of policing" means the person appointed as director of policing under The Police Services Act . (« directeur du Maintien de l'ordre ») "firearm" means a firearm as defined in section 84 of the Criminal Code (Canada). (« arme à feu ») "independent investigation unit" means the unit established under Part 7 of The Police Services Act . (« unité d'enquête indépendante ») Qualifications 2 A person is eligible for appointment as a conservation officer if the person (a) is 18 years of age or over; (b) has obtained a high school diploma or has completed equivalent academic training; (c) has successfully completed a minimum two-year program from a university or college in resource management studies or environmental management studies or another field of study acceptable to the chief conservation officer; (d) has provided the chief conservation officer with a current criminal record check from a law enforcement agency that confirms the person has no criminal record; (e) has successfully completed a physical abilities evaluation test approved by the chief conservation officer; and (f) holds a valid class 4 Manitoba driver's licence or an equivalent licence from another jurisdiction. M.R. 21/2026 Required training 3(1) In order to be appointed a conservation officer, a person must have successfully completed training on the following matters: (a) conservation management; (b) investigations and interviews; (c) firearm use and safety; (d) emergency vehicle operations; (e) use of force and officer safety; (f) first aid. 3(2) The training set out in subsection (1) must be provided by one or more of the following: (a) the Atlantic Police Academy; (b) the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy; (c) members of the conservation officers service; (d) an institution or service provider approved by the minister. ADDITIONAL POWERS UNDER PRESCRIBED ACTS Powers under Highway Traffic Act 4(1) For the purpose of clause 9(1)⁠(b) of the Act, conservation officers may enforce the following provisions of The Highway Traffic Act while acting in the course of their conservation enforcement duties: (a) subsection 4.2(1) (registration and plating of vehicles); (b) subsection 24(1.1) (licence required to drive equipment); (c) section 26.4 (restrictions at learner and intermediate stages); (d) subsection 61(2) (securing of loads); (e) subsection 76(3) (fail to obey officer's directions); (f) subsection 76.1(1) (officer may stop vehicles); (g) subsection 76.1(4) (providing driver information); (h) subsection 79.1(2) (no driving on closed highway); (i) section 85 (compliance with traffic control devices); (j) clause 88(5)⁠(a) (enter intersection when traffic control light is yellow without being able to clear the intersection before light changes); (k) subsection 95(1) (speeding); (l) subsection 95(2) (reasonable and prudent speed); (m) subsection 109(1) (prohibition on driving left of dividing line); (n) subsection 109.1(2) (approaching emergency vehicles); (o) clause 113(1)⁠(b) (fail to dim high beams when meeting a vehicle); (p) subsection 113(2) (fail to use low beam when following vehicle); (q) subsections 114(1) and (2) (rules when overtaking or being overtaken); (r) subsection 115(1) (overtaking and passing on right); (s) subsection 115(2) (overtaking and passing on right in unsafe manner); (t) subsection 116(1) (no driving to left unless clear view); (u) subsection 116(2) (drive to left without regard for safety); (v) subsection 116(3) (driving to left when prohibited); (w) subsection 117(1) (follow too closely); (x) subsection 124(2) (duty before moving or turning); (y) subsection 127(2) (giving appropriate signal); (z) section 128 (general right-of-way); (aa) subsection 131(4) (proceed when safe); (bb) section 132 (right of way for emergency vehicles); (cc) subsection 137(2) (prohibition on passing school bus); (dd) subsection 139(1) (right-of-way of pedestrians); (ee) section 141 (right of way at pedestrian corridor); (ff) subsection 145.0.1(1) (cyclists and passengers under 18 must wear helmets); (gg) subsection 145.0.1(2) (parents' responsibility re children on bicycles); (hh) subsection 145.0.1(3) (drivers' responsibility re child passengers); (ii) subsection 146(1) (riding on part of vehicle not intended for seating); (jj) subsection 146(2) (riding on trailer); (kk) subsection 146(3) (driving while person not properly seated); (ll) subsection 170(1) (prohibitions respecting licences and registration); (mm) subsections 173(1) and (2) (driver's licence required and compliance with restricted licence); (nn) subsection 176(1) (compliance with restricted registration); (oo) subsection 177(1) (drive so as to impede traffic); (pp) subsection 183(1) (dangerous riding); (qq) subsection 183(1.1) (driving while person riding in unsafe manner); (rr) subsection 183(2) (riding in house trailer); (ss) subsection 183(3) (drive while person in house trailer); (tt) subsection 186(3) (driver must wear seat belt); (uu) subsection 186(4) (passenger must wear seat belt); (vv) subsections 186(6) and (9) (age restriction and child restraints required); (ww) subsection 186.1(1) (smoking in vehicle with children inside); (xx) subsection 186.1(2) (being a person younger than 16 years, smoke or have lighted tobacco in a motor vehicle); (yy) subsection 187(1) (helmets required); (zz) subsection 188(2) (careless driving); (aaa) subsection 189(1) (racing on highway prohibited); (bbb) subsection 193(1) (prohibition of driving on sidewalk); (ccc) subsection 193(2) (driving on a dividing section); (ddd) subsection 210(1) (removal of traffic control devices); (eee) subsection 213(1) (transportation of liquor in vehicle); (fff) subsection 213.1 (transportation of cannabis in vehicle); (ggg) section 213.2 (consuming cannabis in or on vehicle); (hhh) section 215 (use of radio headphones prohibited); (iii) subsection 215.1(2) (using hand-operated electronic devices while driving prohibited); (jjj) subsection 217(1) (dangerous littering on road); (kkk) subsection 217(2) (fail to remove an injurious substance from a highway); (lll) subsection 217(3) (removal of broken glass from a highway); (mmm) subsection 217(4) (obstruct roadway and fail to set up warning devices); (nnn) section 224 (false statements); (ooo) subsection 225(1) (driving motor vehicle while disqualified or prohibited); (ppp) subsection 225(1.1) (driving off-road vehicle while disqualified or prohibited); (qqq) subsection 225(1.2) (driving other vehicle while disqualified or prohibited); (rrr) subsection 225(2) (driving unregistered vehicle by owner prohibited); (sss) subsection 225(3) (driving unregistered vehicle by other persons). 4(2) Conservation officers may exercise the powers and perform the duties of a peace officer under The Highway Traffic Act for any purpose related to the enforcement of the provisions set out in subsection (1) and conservation officers have the protections and immunities of peace officers under that Act while enforcing those provisions. M.R. 54/2019 ; 130/2023 ; 21/2026 Powers under Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act 5(1) For the purpose of clause 9(1)⁠(b) of the Act, conservation officers may enforce the following provisions of The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act while acting in the course of their conservation enforcement duties: (a) subsection 57(1) (no consumption or possession of open liquor in public); (b) subsection 60(1) (transporting liquor in motor vehicles); (c) subsection 61(1) (transporting liquor in boats); (d) subsection 62(1) (no providing liquor to minors); (e) section 63 (no possession or consumption of liquor by minors); (f) section 101.17 (no providing cannabis to young persons); (g) section 101.18 (no possession or consumption of cannabis by young persons); (h) section 101.18.1 (no cannabis consumption in public places); (i) subsection 101.26(1) (transporting cannabis in boats); (j) section 122 (obstruction). 5(2) Conservation officers may exercise the powers and perform the duties of an inspector under The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act for any purpose related to the enforcement of the provisions set out in subsection (1) and conservation officers have the protections and immunities of inspectors under that Act while enforcing those provisions. M.R. 114/2018 ; 130/2023 Powers under Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act 5.1(1) For the purpose of clause 9(1)⁠(b) of the Act, conservation officers may enforce section 5.2 of The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act while acting in the course of their conservation enforcement duties. 5.1(2) Conservation officers may exercise the powers and perform the duties of an inspector under The Smoking and Vapour Products Control Act for any purpose related to the enforcement of the provision set out in subsection (1) and conservation officers have the protections and immunities of inspectors under that Act while enforcing those provisions. M.R. 114/2018 Powers under Public Health Act 5.2(1) For the purpose of clause 9(1)⁠(b) of the Act, conservation officers may enforce section 99 of The Public Health Act (compliance with order or direction) while acting in the course of their conservation enforcement duties. 5.2(2) Conservation officers may exercise the powers and perform the duties of an inspector under The Public Health Act for any purpose related to the enforcement of the provision set out in subsection (1) and conservation officers have the protections and immunities of inspectors under that Act while enforcing that provision. M.R. 31/2020 FIREARMS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT Firearms 6 A conservation officer may only carry and use firearms that have been issued by the chief conservation officer. Firearm training 7(1) Subject to subsection (2), the chief conservation officer must ensure that no firearm is issued to a conservation officer for use in the course of the conservation officer's duties unless, in the previous twelve months, the officer has (a) successfully completed a training course for that type of firearm which was conducted by a person who has completed a basic firearms instructors course offered by a police service; and (b) successfully passed a proficiency test in the use of that type of firearm. 7(2) The chief conservation officer may issue a written authorization extending the time for a conservation officer to complete the requirements of subsection (1) for no more than 60 days if the chief conservation officer is satisfied that it was not practicable for the officer to complete the approved training. M.R. 21/2026 Drawing and discharging firearms 8(1) Subject to section 9, a conservation officer must not draw their firearm unless they have reasonable grounds to believe that drawing the firearm is necessary (a) to prevent loss of life or serious bodily harm to any person; or (b) to apprehend or detain a dangerous person. 8(2) Subject to section 9, a conservation officer must not discharge their firearm unless they have reasonable grounds to believe that it is necessary in order to prevent loss of life or serious bodily harm to any person. M.R. 21/2026 Permitted uses of firearm 9 A conservation officer may draw and discharge a firearm (a) to kill an animal (i) that poses a danger to any person, (ii) that is injured and requires euthanization, or (iii) for wildlife management purposes; or (b) during authorized firearms training and target practice. UNIFORMS, IDENTIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Uniforms 10 Unless authorized by the chief conservation officer, a conservation officer must wear the uniform specified by the chief conservation officer while on duty. Identification cards and badges 11(1) The chief conservation officer must issue an identification card and numbered badge to every conservation officer. 11(2) A conservation officer must carry their identification card and badge while on duty and must produce the card or badge on request when exercising a power under the Act. M.R. 21/2026 Additional equipment 12(1) The chief conservation officer may authorize a conservation officer to carry and use the following equipment while on duty: (a) handcuffs; (b) a defensive baton; (c) an aerosol weapon. 12(2) A conservation officer who is authorized to carry and use the equipment set out in subsection (1) may only carry and use that equipment if (a) it has been issued by the chief conservation officer; and (b) the officer has received training in the use of that equipment. COMPLAINTS Complaints 13(1) A person who has a concern respecting the conduct of a conservation officer may submit a written complaint to the chief conservation officer. 13(2) Upon receiving a written complaint, the chief conservation officer must forward the complaint to the director of policing. 13(3) The director of policing may contact the complainant to obtain further information or details respecting a complaint. 13(4) The director of policing may decline to investigate a complaint if they determine that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious. The director of policing must notify the complainant if the director declines to investigate a complaint on this basis. 13(5) If the director of policing determines that a complaint is not frivolous or vexatious they must arrange for a member of the independent investigation unit or another person with investigative experience to conduct an investigation of the complaint. 13(6) The investigator may interview the complainant, the conservation officer who is the subject of the complaint and any other person who may have relevant information respecting the complaint. 13(7) The investigator must provide the director of policing with a written report that sets out their findings regarding the complaint. 13(8) The director of policing must provide the chief conservation officer with a copy of the investigator's report and any recommendations for changes to the practices or policies of the conservation officers service intended to address issues raised by the complaint that the director considers appropriate. 13(9) The chief conservation officer must provide the complainant with (a) a summary of the investigator's findings regarding the complaint; and (b) any recommendations from the director of policing for changes to the practices or policies of the conservation officers service. M.R. 21/2026 Coming into force 14 This regulation comes into force on the same day that The Conservation Officers Act , S.M. 2015, c. 4, comes into force.