Healthcare news · Manitoba

Manitoba health policy

Funding, legislation and system changes from the province and Ottawa.

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Health policy5 days agoManitobaSouthern Health-Santé Sud

Expanded pharmacist roles among Manitoba PCs' latest proposals

Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives, under new leader Konrad Narth, are promising to expand pharmacists' scope of practice if elected, speaking from a pharmacy in Morden. Shadow Minister for Health Kathleen Cook said Manitoba pharmacists have the most restricted scope of practice in Canada and the lowest number of authorized pharmacy services, citing a Pharmacists Manitoba survey finding 62 per cent of University of Manitoba College of Pharmacy students are considering relocating to another province to make better use of their training. Cook introduced Bill 240, the Pharmaceutical Amendment A

If passed, pharmacists could treat common conditions close to home, which matters for rural patients who travel far for doctor appointments and for pharmacy staff.

News source: Steinbach Online (opens in a new tab)

Health policyOct 15, 2026Manitoba

Manitoba gets federal funding for fast-tracking international doctors in remote communities

The federal government will spend $6 million to recruit up to 90 international physicians in rural Manitoba over three years, fast-tracking licensing through an expanded Practice Ready Assessment program, focusing on ER-trained doctors for rural areas. Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the province has recruited over 370 new doctors since 2023 and has 3,700 doctors practising in Manitoba, the highest ever. Doctors Manitoba welcomed the funding but said gaps remain in medical, surgical and diagnostic specialists and that Manitoba has historically been a revolving door for physicians.

Up to 90 internationally trained doctors are headed for rural Manitoba ERs, directly relevant to rural staffing and to internationally educated professionals watching the licensing path.

News source: Steinbach Online (opens in a new tab)