Manitoba cannabis retailers challenge new staffing legislation

Manitoba's approximately 250 licensed cannabis stores are facing uncertainty following the passage of Bill 56, which received Royal Assent on October 29, 2026. The legislation grants the provincial government the power to mandate specific staffing levels during certain hours through Cabinet regulation, a process that does not require further legislative debate or public hearings.

While the UFCW Local 832 welcomed the bill as a positive step for workers, independent retailers have expressed significant financial concerns. Tom Doran, founder of Jupiter Cannabis in Winnipeg, noted that adding a second employee to a shift could cost between $40,000 and $80,000 annually. Doran argued that such fixed costs could make independent stores unviable under current profit margins.

The new law also removes the previous requirement for cannabis stores to cover their windows. Although regulators have notified licensees that no staffing changes are currently in effect, no specific timeline has been provided for the upcoming consultation process.