Manitoba's Bill 11: Sick Note Restrictions
On June 1, 2026, the Manitoba Legislature passed Bill 11 (The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act – Sick Notes for Employee Absences). This legislation restricts employers from requiring sick notes for short-term absences, bringing Manitoba in line with Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
What Bill 11 Changes (Effective October 1, 2026)
Under the new rules:
- Absences totalling 7 days or fewer in 12 months: Employers cannot require a medical certificate
- Absences exceeding 7 days in 12 months: Employers may request documentation
- Pattern absences: Employers retain the right to request documentation if there is a "noticeable pattern" of absences
- Employer must reimburse: When a note IS required, the employer must pay for it
- Expanded providers: Sick notes can now be issued by a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, or pharmacist
Manitoba's Current Sick Leave Entitlements
Manitoba's Employment Standards Code provides:
- 3 unpaid sick days per year (after 30 days of employment)
- Long-term leave: Up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for serious illness or injury (extended from 17 weeks in November 2024)
- Family responsibility leave: 3 unpaid days per year for family illness
The Doctor Shortage Context
Bill 11 was partly motivated by Manitoba's severe physician shortage:
- Over 130,000 Manitobans are without a family doctor
- Winnipeg walk-in clinics have wait times of 3-5 hours
- Rural Manitoba has virtually no walk-in access — communities like Thompson, The Pas, and Flin Flon have extremely limited healthcare
- Health Sciences Centre ER in Winnipeg regularly has 8-12 hour waits
Requiring sick notes for short absences was forcing sick workers to spend hours in overcrowded clinics, worsening both their health and the healthcare system's burden.
When You Still Need a Sick Note in Manitoba
Despite Bill 11, many situations still require medical documentation:
1. Absences exceeding 7 days in 12 months — Your employer can request a note once you've exceeded the threshold
2. Long-term disability claims — Manitoba Blue Cross, Great-West Life, and other insurers require documentation
3. Workers' compensation (WCB Manitoba) — Workplace injuries require medical documentation
4. Return-to-work clearance — After extended illness, employers can require fitness-to-return documentation
5. Workplace accommodation — Under the Manitoba Human Rights Code, accommodation requests require supporting medical documentation
6. Professional licensing — Regulated professionals may have additional requirements
Manitoba's Unique Workplace Landscape
Manitoba's economy creates specific sick note needs:
- Agriculture and food processing — Maple Leaf Foods, HyLife, and grain operations employ thousands of workers who work in conditions where illness spreads quickly
- Healthcare workers — Already stretched thin, healthcare workers at HSC, St. Boniface, and regional hospitals need documentation for shift replacement
- Mining and northern operations — Workers at Thompson (Vale), Snow Lake, and Flin Flon operations are far from any clinic
- Retail and service — Winnipeg's retail sector (Polo Park, St. Vital Centre) employs many part-time workers without benefits
How to Get a Sick Note in Manitoba
MedLetter provides same-day sick notes from physicians registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) for $49. This is particularly valuable for:
- Rural Manitobans with no nearby clinic
- Workers who can't afford 4+ hours in a Winnipeg walk-in
- Shift workers whose schedules don't align with clinic hours
- Anyone without a family doctor (130,000+ Manitobans)
The process: Complete a 2-minute online form → CPSM-registered physician reviews → Signed sick note delivered to your email same day.
Related: [No Family Doctor MB](/blog/no-family-doctor-manitoba-sick-note) | [Can Employer Require Sick Note MB](/blog/can-employer-require-sick-note-manitoba) | [Sick Note Cost MB 2026](/blog/sick-note-cost-manitoba-2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note online in Manitoba?
Yes. Licensed physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by all Manitoba employers.
How many sick days do Manitoba employees get?
Manitoba provides 3 unpaid sick days per year under the Employment Standards Code for employees with at least 30 days of employment.
Will my Manitoba employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba recognizes virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.
How fast can I get a sick note in Manitoba?
MedLetter delivers most sick notes within 2-6 hours, much faster than Winnipeg walk-in clinic wait times.