Manitoba Municipalities Urge Province to Boost Rural Health Training

A resolution aimed at enhancing education for rural lab and X-ray technicians received an overwhelming endorsement at the recent Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) convention, securing a remarkable 97 percent support from attendees. The resolution, backed by eight municipalities from the Westman region, calls for the provincial government to take immediate action to address the pressing need for healthcare professionals in rural areas.

The proposal specifically advocates for the expansion of training program capacity and the establishment of partnerships with institutions outside of Manitoba. This initiative aims to ensure that rural students can access timely training opportunities. Additionally, it seeks to implement a rural-specific training and retention strategy, including the fast-tracking of the combined laboratory and X-ray technology program at Assiniboine College, which is currently slated to begin before 2027.

Sandra Clark, reeve of the Municipality of Two Borders and a key proponent of the resolution, highlighted the urgency of the situation following the closure of the emergency department at the Melita Health Centre in September 2023 due to a shortage of nursing staff. “We are looking for lab and X-ray to be available to us after those late clinical hours,” Clark stated. She emphasized the need for immediate access to diagnostic services for residents, particularly in emergencies.

Clark remarked on the importance of cultivating local talent to address staffing shortages. “Most of the people who come to work at a small hospital are the ones who grew up in the area,” she noted. “We know we’re not going to bring lab and X-ray students out from Winnipeg, and so the more rural initiatives we can foster, the better off rural is.”

The pressing need for healthcare professionals in these communities was echoed by Kelly McMachon, reeve of Deloraine-Winchester. He expressed concern that the proposed 2027 start date for the Assiniboine College program does not address current staffing gaps. “The need is now; we have vacant positions now,” he explained. McMachon pointed out that taxpayers are effectively missing out on services they are funding due to the lack of available technicians.

In response to the concerns raised, Advanced Training and Education Minister Renée Cable acknowledged the challenges but indicated that expediting the timeline is not feasible. “The reality in terms of construction timelines and everything — the timelines that we have on that build and when the program starts is what it is,” she stated. Cable has been in discussions with local leaders, including Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Assiniboine College president Mark Frison, about the program’s launch, which will not be moved forward.

The provincial government is actively seeking to enhance training opportunities closer to home, particularly in rural and northern regions. Cable mentioned that efforts are underway to expand training programs for licensed practical nurses and health-care aides across the province, from Altona to Churchill. “We are actively working to ensure that people in all corners of the province know that there is a job for them in health care,” she added.

The proposed training and retention strategies encompass identifying interested students at an early age and facilitating their transition to post-secondary education. While inter-provincial partnerships have been suggested, Cable emphasized the primary goal of retaining talent within Manitoba. “What we want is for more Manitobans to train here. We have fantastic post-secondary institutions,” she stated. The government is also considering return-to-service agreements, encouraging students to return to rural areas after completing their education.

Nick Krawetz, deputy executive director of the AMM, noted that the province’s response to the resolution is expected by February. This feedback will guide the AMM’s subsequent advocacy efforts. “It helps with advocacy. If we gather data, we can gather local examples, local insights, and that all feeds into making a stronger case that the issue should be addressed,” Krawetz explained.

The resolution, championed by the municipalities of Two Borders, Deloraine-Winchester, Brenda-Waskada, Carberry, Elton, Melita, Souris-Glenwood, and Wallace-Woodworth, reflects a growing commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in rural Manitoba. As discussions continue, local leaders remain focused on finding solutions to the critical staffing shortages impacting their communities.