The Recreational Camps Regulation, M.R. 43/2024, amends Manitoba’s Public Health Act with updates aimed at improving safety, hygiene, and oversight of recreational camps. These amendments modifies Manitoba Regulation 327/88 R and introduce several key changes, focusing on refining terminology, adjusting operational requirements, and improving health and safety protocols.

The amendments place emphasis on safety and health inspections. Public health inspectors now hold the authority previously vested in medical officers of health, and they are responsible for enforcing health and safety standards at camps. The responsibilities of camp operators are further clarified, particularly in maintaining sanitary conditions, adhering to safety protocols, and ensuring the adequacy of health supplies like bandages and buoys.

Staff qualifications have been updated, particularly for lifeguards at recreational camps. From 2024 to 2026, supervisors must hold a current Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard Award, and starting in 2027, they must obtain the Waterfront-specific version of this award. In addition, supervisors must possess intermediate-level first aid and CPR Level C certifications from an approved provider.

The regulation also addresses youth supervisors, permitting individuals as young as 15 years old to act in this capacity, provided they meet all other requirements and are supervised by an adult camp staff member. This provision aligns with the Employment Standards Regulation of Manitoba.

Food handling and hygiene requirements have been further refined. A new section heading, “Food handling,” has been added, mandating compliance with food safety regulations as specified in Manitoba Regulation 339/88R. The regulation also requires that accommodations, including rooms, tents, and cabins, be regularly cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition.

Building requirements have been revised to include minimum standards for permanent camp structures. The regulation specifies that buildings must meet height, clearance, ventilation, and weatherproofing standards to ensure that campers are provided with safe and adequate shelter during their stay.

The schedule attached to the regulation outlines the minimum number of toilets, washbasins, and showers that camps must provide based on the number of people accommodated. For camps with over 100 people, additional toilets, washbasins, and showers must be provided for every 30 additional campers. The regulation also highlights the importance of addressing campers’ privacy needs, requiring facilities to be designated by gender or offer universal options.

By redefining roles, updating health and safety protocols, and improving the precision of the language used in the regulation, these changes aim to create safer environments for campers while ensuring that camp operators understand and fulfill their responsibilities.

Manitoba (43/2024) June 14, 2024