Westman Municipalities Unite to Enhance Rural Training for Technicians

A resolution aimed at improving educational opportunities for rural lab and X-ray technicians received overwhelming support at the recent Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) convention, with 97 percent approval. This initiative, backed by eight municipalities in the Westman region, seeks to address the pressing need for healthcare professionals in rural Manitoba.

The resolution calls for the provincial government to increase the number of available training seats in existing programs and establish partnerships with institutions outside the province. This would facilitate immediate access to training for rural students, which is critical for enhancing healthcare services in these areas. Additionally, the resolution proposes the development of a rural-focused training and retention strategy and urges the province to expedite the launch of Assiniboine College’s combined laboratory and X-ray technology program, aiming for a start date before 2027.

Sandra Clark, the reeve of the Municipality of Two Borders and a sponsor of the resolution, emphasized the urgent need for more healthcare workers. She highlighted that although the province has funded extended hours at the Melita Health Centre, the facility lacks the technicians necessary to provide services during those hours. “We are looking for lab and X-ray to be available to us after those late clinical hours,” Clark stated, underlining the importance of timely medical imaging for patients.

The closure of the emergency department at the Melita Health Centre in September 2023 due to a nursing shortage has compounded the issue. “We never recovered from that,” Clark noted, stressing the necessity for nurse practitioners and diagnostic teams to deliver healthcare to rural residents effectively.

The resolution has garnered support from multiple reeves in the region, including Kelly McMachon, the reeve of Deloraine-Winchester. He pointed out that the proposed timeline for the Assiniboine College program does not align with the immediate needs of the community. “The need is now; we have vacant positions now,” he said. McMachon expressed concern that taxpayers are not getting the full value of their contributions to healthcare services, given the current shortage of technicians.

In response, Renée Cable, the province’s Minister of Advanced Training and Education, acknowledged the challenges but maintained that the current schedule for the program’s launch is not feasible to change. “The reality in terms of construction timelines is what it is,” she explained, referencing ongoing discussions about the program’s opening date with local leaders, including Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Assiniboine College President Mark Frison.

Cable also highlighted the province’s efforts to improve training opportunities closer to home, including initiatives in rural and northern areas. “We have training from Altona to Churchill,” she said, noting partnerships with institutions like Red River College Polytechnic to provide localized training. The strategy aims to ensure that individuals across Manitoba are aware of job opportunities in healthcare.

In addition to enhancing training, the province is focused on retention strategies, which involve identifying interested students at the school level and helping them transition smoothly to post-secondary education. While there have been requests for inter-provincial partnerships, Cable reiterated the priority of keeping Manitobans trained within the province.

The AMM anticipates a formal response from the provincial government regarding the resolution by February. Nick Krawetz, AMM’s deputy executive director, stated that the response will help shape further research and advocacy efforts. “We can gather local insights and examples that feed into making a stronger case that the issue should be addressed,” he said.

The resolution was co-sponsored not only by Two Borders and Deloraine-Winchester but also by municipalities including Brenda-Waskada, Carberry, Elton, Melita, Souris-Glenwood, and Wallace-Woodworth. The AMM is committed to continuing its advocacy for improved healthcare education and services in rural Manitoba.