May 15, 2023

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg - Days after Premier Heather Stefanson claimed her Government was unable to say how many front line staff have left the health care system, the Manitoba NDP released Government documents showing the PCs cut 300 nurses from Winnipeg hospitals since 2016.

“We need more nurses at the bedside, not less and cutting 300 nurses from Emergency Rooms and hospitals across Winnipeg is one of the reasons for the health care crisis,” said Wab Kinew, Leader of the Official Opposition. “First Brian Pallister and now Heather Stefanson cut millions from the front lines and that’s why there are fewer front line nurses in our hospitals and clinics today”, said Kinew.

Freedom of Information Documents show there were 8014 nurses employed in 2016 in WRHA facilities including Health Sciences Centre. There are only 7722 employed as of December 2022. A second Freedom of Information Request shows a cut of 48 nurses from 2016 to current in the Southern Health Region as well.

“Manitobans have been calling out the PC cuts under Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson for years,” said Health Critic Uzoma Asagwara. “Across the province there are fewer nurses at the bedside and it’s because of the PC cuts – we need a new approach that actually respects the front lines”, said Asagwara.

The referenced documents can be seen here and here.