The latest fiscal update from the province paints a picture of a rising deficit due in large part to the costs of climate change and U.S. tariffs. This spring, Manitoba’s provincial deficit is expected to be $1.6 billion – more than double what was originally projected.
Despite the rising deficit, now is not the time to reduce investment in public health care. The job of fixing our system after years of cuts and privatization isn’t even close to done. The NDP have made important gains in hiring frontline staff and reopening health care facilities, but patients and providers of care are still feeling the strain from years of underinvestment. Ongoing, substantive investment in publicly delivered health care – including hiring more front-line staff – is needed to finish the job.
Wait times are still high, rural and northern communities still face significant access gaps, and across the province, workplace safety needs to be improved to help reduce burnout and increase retention.
Privatization of health care also continues under the NDP. Despite their criticisms of privatization while in opposition, the NDP recently signed a new five-year contract with Dynacare, a privately owned, American company. Public dollars are still going to support private, for-profit agency staff instead of being invested to rebuild the public system. This money is better spent reinvesting in public health care delivery.
What is publicly covered and who can access that care also needs to improve. We need a comprehensive provincial harm reduction strategy to address the ongoing mental health and addictions crisis. The promise to restore public health coverage for international students – made repeatedly by the NDP – must be kept. HIV rates are on the rise and we need to strengthen our public health response. The job of building a universal pharmacare system in Manitoba is not done. Addressing Indigenous health gaps, as a material part of reconciliation, requires public investment from all levels of government, including the provincial level. Access to home and long-term care is expensive and out of reach for many.
We’re still digging our way out of the damage done by years of PC cuts made in the name of balancing the budget, and Manitobans are still paying the price in reduced access to health care services.
Rebuilding public health care requires ongoing, substantive investment. In a time of rising inequality and an ongoing affordability crisis, Manitobans deserve a government that invests in public solutions in health care, housing, education, and other social supports. Manitoba cannot afford more privatization and austerity.