Manitoba’s Accessible Information and Communication Standard

The law and the regulation

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (C.C.S.M. c. A1.7) sets the framework for removing barriers in Manitoba and gives the province its enforcement powers. Specific obligations are set out in standards made under the Act.

The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation (Man. Reg. 47/2022) is the standard that covers websites, documents and communication. It came into force on May 1, 2022 (s. 15 (opens in a new tab)) and was phased in by type of organization.

Who it applies to

The regulation applies to organizations subject to the Act that have one or more employees in Manitoba. For most private businesses and non-profits, the obligations took effect three years after the regulation came into force, on May 1, 2025 (s. 2(c) (opens in a new tab)). The Manitoba government and larger public-sector bodies were covered earlier (s. 2(a) (opens in a new tab) and (b)).

Website requirements

Section 7(1) (opens in a new tab) requires web content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA where it was published on or after the date the regulation applies to the organization, or where it is needed to access the organization’s goods or services. In practice this covers most business websites, because booking, contact and product pages are how customers reach a business.

Section 8(1) (opens in a new tab) applies the same standard to web applications that are published or significantly updated on or after that date, such as booking systems and customer portals.

Exceptions

Section 7(2) (opens in a new tab) does not require content to meet the standard where doing so is not technically feasible, where the technology is not readily available, where it would cause undue hardship, where the organization lacks direct control over the content, or for product labels and product information. These exceptions are narrow and should be assessed case by case.

Other requirements

• Accessible formats (s. 5 (opens in a new tab)). Inform the public and employees that information is available in accessible formats or with communication supports on request.
• Feedback (s. 9 (opens in a new tab)). Make reasonable efforts to provide a process for receiving and responding to feedback about accessibility, and for documenting the actions taken.
• Training (s. 4 (opens in a new tab)). Train people who communicate publicly on the organization’s behalf, maintain web content, or buy information and communication technology, as soon as reasonably practicable after they take on those duties.
• Documentation for larger employers (ss. 3(2) (opens in a new tab), 4(4) (opens in a new tab)). Large employers must document their measures, policies and practices, make them publicly available, and keep a written training policy.

Other laws that may apply

The accessibility standard is not the only law that touches accessible service.

• The Human Rights Code (Manitoba). Section 13 of the Code (opens in a new tab) prohibits discrimination, including on the basis of disability, in services available to the public. The accessibility regulation itself requires staff training to include a review of the Code (Man. Reg. 47/2022, s. 4(2) (opens in a new tab)). Whether a particular inaccessible website amounts to discrimination is decided case by case.
• The Accessible Canada Act (federal). The federal Act (opens in a new tab) applies to the Government of Canada and federally regulated organizations, such as banks, telecommunications companies and interprovincial transportation. It does not replace the Manitoba standard for provincially regulated businesses, but organizations that work with federally regulated clients are increasingly asked to meet similar requirements.

Enforcement

The Act gives the province a stepwise set of enforcement tools:

• Inspection (ss. 23 (opens in a new tab)–26 (opens in a new tab)). Inspectors may be appointed to determine compliance.
• Compliance orders (s. 27 (opens in a new tab)). An inspector who finds a contravention may order the organization, in writing, to remedy it by a set date.
• Administrative penalties (s. 29 (opens in a new tab)). If an order is not complied with, the director may require payment of an administrative penalty set by regulation.
• Public reporting (s. 32 (opens in a new tab)). The director may publish details of orders and administrative penalties.
• Offences (s. 34 (opens in a new tab)). Failing to comply with a standard is an offence, with a fine of not more than $250,000 on summary conviction (s. 34(3) (opens in a new tab)). Directors and officers who authorized or permitted a corporate offence may also be found guilty (s. 34(2) (opens in a new tab)).

What WCAG 2.1 AA means

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 are published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Level AA consists of 50 success criteria, each a testable statement. They are grouped under four principles: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.

Sources

• Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation, Man. Reg. 47/2022
• The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, C.C.S.M. c. A1.7
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, W3C

Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Consult the official text of the Act and regulation, or a lawyer, for decisions about your obligations.