March 2, 2022  

Focus on solutions for rural health care, support to settle Ukrainians

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg MB –  As Premier Stefanson continues to disappoint families and repeat Brian Pallister’s mistakes, the NDP are returning to the Legislature ready to be the leaders rural families need.  

“After four months, families in rural Manitoba have seen enough of Premier Stefanson to know she isn’t on their side,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “Under her leadership families in rural Manitoba are waiting longer for emergency medical care and patients and seniors have been transferred away from their home communities. Unlike the PCs, our NDP team has the solutions rural families need – we are returning to the Legislature ready to fight to make life better for them.”  

For months allied health professionals have been sounding the alarm about growing wait times in rural communities for emergency care and paramedic burn out, but the PCs have refused to take action. Kinew said his team would use this session to renew their call for the PCs to offer competitive wages for rural paramedics and allow them to work to the full scope of their practice. Kinew also pointed out that thousands of families in rural Manitoba are still waiting for surgery and diagnostic tests but instead of taking action on the backlog, under Premier Stefanson’s leadership, the backlog has grown worse and the PCs have ignored doctors’ request to set a date to clear it.  

“This session we’re also focused on pushing the PCs to do more to bring Ukrainian families to safety in Manitoba by boosting staffing levels for the provincial nominee program, funding settlement programs for Ukrainian immigrants and refugees, and increasing Manitoba’s financial contribution to relief efforts,” said Kinew.