This Act restricts who may grant degrees, limits use of “university” and “varsity,” and sets offences, penalties, exemptions, and coming-into-force rules.
The Degree Granting Act, C.C.S.M. c. D25 (Assented to December 7, 2006) bilingual version (HTML) Table of Contents Section 1 Definitions 2 Granting of degrees restricted 3 Use of "university" and "varsity" 4 Offences and penalties 5 Court order where Act contravened 6 Regulations 7 Consequential amendment 8 C.C.S.M. reference 9 Coming into force HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows: Definitions 1 The following definitions apply in this Act. "court" means the Court of King's Bench. (« tribunal ») "degree" means recognition or implied recognition of academic achievement that (a) is specified in writing to be (i) a baccalaureate, masters, doctoral or similar degree, or (ii) an honorary degree; and (b) is not a degree or honorary degree in theology. (« grade ») "institution" includes an association of natural persons, a partnership and a corporation. (« établissement ») "minister" means the minister appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to administer this Act. (« ministre ») Granting of degrees restricted 2(1) Unless exempt under subsection (2), no individual or institution may directly or indirectly (a) grant a degree; (b) offer or provide a program or part of a program of post-secondary study that provides for the granting of a degree to a person who successfully completes the program; (c) advertise, represent or hold out in any manner that it has the authority to do the things referred to in clause (a) or (b); or (d) sell, offer for sale or provide for a fee, reward or other remuneration, a degree or other document or material that indicates or implies the granting of a degree. Exemption: who may grant degrees 2(2) The following are exempt from the application of subsection (1): (a) an institution expressly authorized by an Act of the Legislature, including a private Act, to grant a degree or offer a program of post-secondary study that leads to the granting of a degree; (b) Steinbach Bible College; (c) an institution prescribed by regulation. Use of "university" and "varsity" 3(1) Except as authorized by an Act of the Legislature, including a private Act, no person or institution shall directly or indirectly use the word "university" or "varsity", or any derivation or abbreviation of either of those words, (a) in the name of any business or undertaking; (b) in any advertising; or (c) in the name of any thing, place or building; without the prior written approval of the minister. 3(2) [Repealed] S.M. 2014, c. 29, Sch. B, s. 3 (4). Application 3(3) The requirements of this section are in addition to the provisions of any other enactment respecting the use of a word in a name. S.M. 2014, c. 29, Sch. B, s. 3 (4). Offences and penalties 4(1) A person or institution who contravenes this Act is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $5,000. Continuing offence 4(2) When a contravention of this Act continues for more than one day, the person or institution is guilty of a separate offence for each day the contravention continues. Time limit for prosecution 4(3) A prosecution under this Act may not be commenced later than one year after the day the alleged offence was committed. Court order where Act contravened 5(1) Despite any other penalty, if a person or institution contravenes this Act, the court may, on application by the minister, make an order preventing the person or institution (a) from continuing or repeating the contravention; or (b) from doing anything that will, or is likely to, result in the contravention continuing or being repeated. Terms and conditions 5(2) The court may make an order under this section on any terms or conditions that it considers appropriate. Regulations 6(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations exempting an institution from the application of all or part of subsection 2(1). Time limit 6(2) A regulation under subsection (1) expires three years after it is made, unless a shorter period is prescribed in the regulation. 7 NOTE: This section contained consequential amendments to The University of Manitoba Act that are now included in that Act. C.C.S.M. reference 8 This Act may be referred to as chapter D25 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba . Coming into force 9(1) This Act, except sections 2 and 6, comes into force on the day it receives royal assent. Coming into force: sections 2 and 6 9(2) Sections 2 and 6 come into force on January 1, 2007.