Manitoba Government Adds 1,255 Net-New Health-Care Workers

February 7, 2025

Government Achieves Commitment to Add 1,000 Front-Line Workers, Increase Security Across the System: Premier and Asagwara

he Manitoba government has added 1,255 net-new health-care workers as of December 2024, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today as part of a health system update at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

“We made an ambitious promise to Manitobans to hire 1,000 net-new people into the health system and today we’re proud to say we’ve exceeded that goal,” said Kinew. “While the work is underway toward fixing health care, these steps that we’re taking are showing results. We’re keeping our word to you, but there’s still a lot more work to be done.”

Since April 2024, the Manitoba government has hired over 1,255 net-new health-care workers including 138 physicians, 481 nurses, 386 health-care aides and 176 allied health workers. These additional staff have started to make a difference in the system, noted the premier, adding for instance the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) made a 45 per cent reduction in mandatory overtime for nurses between October 2023 and October 2024.

“Every new health-care worker means better health care for you and your family,” said Asagwara. “I want to thank every single person who has taken up a role in our health-care system, all of this progress is because of you. It’s going to take time but we are on the road to recovery. The future is bright for health care in Manitoba.”

In partnership with the Manitoba Nurses Union, the government has enhanced the travel nurse team to offer flexibility that nurses have been seeking in the public system, noted the minister.

“It’s a relief that our government wants to hire and keep health-care workers, making our emergency rooms work for the staff as well as the patients,” said Belinda Wong, health-care aide, Health Sciences Centre. “There’s still a lot more work to do, but as a front-line worker, I’m grateful to have the acknowledgement that our work is not unseen and not without appreciation.”

The Manitoba government heard directly from the front lines on its health-care listening tour that safety and security was a top concern for front-line workers across the province, noted the minister. To address those concerns, the government has funded 126 institutional safety officer (ISO) positions, with 96 already working at facilities throughout the province. In addition, the government announced a partnership with Long Plain First Nation to employ First Nation safety officers at Portage District General Hospital in a similar fashion to ISOs at other facilities

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

Backgrounder
BG-Health_Workforce_Update-PR_HSLC.pdf

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