Manitoba’s pleas for Amazon, Walmart to clamp down on online machete sales ignored

Amazon and Walmart Canada have been called out by the NDP government in Manitoba for not complying with the province’s request to restrict the online sale of machetes to Manitobans. Despite two letters sent by the government in December 2024 and February 2025, the major distributors have not heeded the call to align their online sales practices with the provincial legislation.

The new rules, which came into effect on December 31, mandate that businesses can only sell machetes and other long-bladed weapons to adults with photo identification in-store. Additionally, they are required to keep records of their sales for two years and store the items in a way that prevents access without assistance. However, these regulations do not extend to online sales, allowing customers to purchase machetes from sites like Amazon and Walmart without age verification.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe expressed disappointment in the lack of response from these online giants, emphasizing the importance of considering public safety when selling potentially dangerous weapons. While retailers like Canadian Tire and Cabela’s have complied with the province’s requests by only offering machetes in-store, Amazon and Walmart have continued to sell them online without restrictions.

Progressive Conservative justice critic Wayne Balcaen raised concerns about the exclusion of online sales from the provincial law, highlighting the need for consistent regulations across all purchasing channels. Balcaen, a former police chief, acknowledged the challenges of enforcing online sales regulations but stressed the importance of prioritizing public safety.

To address the loophole in the legislation, Balcaen suggested collaborating with the federal government to strengthen machete regulations and impose stricter penalties for misuse. Wiebe echoed these sentiments, revealing that he has been advocating for federal intervention to enhance restrictions on these weapons.

Kaitlyn Peters, the general manager of Pollock’s Hardware Co-op, commended the provincial law for creating barriers to prevent the misuse of machetes. The hardware store voluntarily ceased selling machetes in 2021 to contribute to community safety after learning about their involvement in criminal activities.

Despite the government’s efforts to regulate machete sales, violent crimes involving these weapons have already occurred in 2025, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. By collaborating with retailers, law enforcement, and government agencies, Manitoba aims to mitigate the risks associated with unrestricted online sales of machetes and uphold public safety.