Northern Healthcare Access Act
Manitoba's Northern Healthcare Access Act was a 2023 NDP election commitment under leader Wab Kinew, made after a string of patient-death scandals at northern nursing stations under the previous PC government's healthcare-restructuring program. The Act sets new minimum-staffing benchmarks for remote nursing stations, requires the province to pay medical-travel costs (flights, accommodation, escort costs) for northern patients who must be flown south for treatment, and creates a public-reporting requirement on emergency-room closures in communities north of the 53rd parallel.
Status
Quick learn
Sets new standards for healthcare access in Northern Manitoba, including travel-cost coverage for patients who have to fly south for treatment and minimum staffing benchmarks for remote nursing stations. Implements a 2023 Manitoba NDP election commitment.
Issues this bill touches
- Indigenous Rights
Sets new healthcare access standards for Northern Manitoba including travel-cost coverage for patients flown south.
Legislative history
- Introduced
Tabled in the originating chamber by the sponsor.
View source - Second reading
Debated in principle; vote sends the bill to committee.
View source
Sponsored by
Adrien SalaMB NDPOfficial source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada