October 13, 2021

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB— After promising to build 1200 new personal care home beds in 2016, Government documents obtained by the Manitoba NDP show the PCs have only added 67 in total in the last five years. What's more with Parkview Place closing next August, Manitoba will have 200 fewer personal care home beds next year than when the PCs took office.

“We all want better care for our loved ones as they age,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “But under the PCs seniors care is getting worse, not better. Years of PC cuts to seniors care and healthcare led to overcrowded, unchecked living conditions for seniors, which meant tragic outcomes during the pandemic. And now, months later, the PCs still have not invested in better senior's care or more beds. The PCs have a responsibility to do better for Manitoba seniors and we will continue to hold them accountable.”

As of June 2021, there are currently 810 seniors on a waitlist for a personal care home. “The PCs are failing our seniors,” said NDP Critic for Health and Seniors Care, Uzoma Asagwara. “If they had learned the lessons of the pandemic, they would be building more beds, increasing direct hours of care, and investing in services for seniors not making cuts.”