Members of the Legislative Assembly must not knowingly be a party, directly or through a subcontract, to a contract with the Government of Manitoba or a government agency under which the Member receives a benefit. Members must also not have an interest in a partnership or a private corporation that is a party, directly or through a subcontract, with the Government of Manitoba or a government agency under which that partnership or corporation receives a benefit.

A number of exceptions apply to this prohibition:

• Contracts available to the public: The prohibition does not apply to a contract offered by the Government of Manitoba or a government agency on the same terms and conditions available to other members of the public under contracts of the same class. An example would be a contract for the provision of electricity by Manitoba Hydro to the home of a Member.
• Retirement benefits: The prohibition does not apply to the retirement benefits available to a Member after they cease to be a Member.
• Existing contracts: The prohibition does not apply to any contract that existed before the Member assumes office. However, the prohibition does apply to any renewal or extension of that contract.
• Inherited interests: If a Member inherits an interest in a partnership or private corporation that has a government contract, the prohibition does not apply for the first year after the interest is inherited. After that, the Member must either dispose of that interest or must place it in a trust that meets the following conditions:
  
  1. The provisions of the trust must be approved by the Ethics Commissioner.
  2. The trustees must be at arm's length from the Member and must be approved by the Ethics Commissioner.
  3. The trustees must not consult with the Member about managing the assets in the trust, but they may consult with the Ethics Commissioner.
  4. Within 90 days after the formation of the trust, and annually afterwards, the trustees must provide the Ethics Commissioner with a confidential report, in a form acceptable to the Ethics Commissioner, disclosing the interests contained in the trust.

The Member is entitled to be reimbursed by the Ethics Commissioner for the reasonable costs associated with establishing and administering the trust, as those costs are approved by the Ethics Commissioner.

Assets that are placed in an approved trusts are not included on the disclosure of assets, liabilities and income that are made available to the public.

Contracts approved by the Ethics Commissioner:

The prohibition does not apply if:

• The Ethics Commissioner is of the opinion that the contract or interest is unlikely to affect the exercise of the Member’s powers, duties and functions; and
• The Member complies with any conditions that the Ethics Commissioner imposes.