More doctors to strengthen healthcare in rural and Northern Manitoba Communities
WINNIPEG, MB, Oct. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health and the Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, announced the Government of Canada’s intention to provide up to $6 million in federal funding over three years to expand family medicine Practice-Ready Assessment opportunities for international medical graduates (IMG) in Manitoba. This will bring more family doctors into the health care system to work in both emergency departments and clinics across Manitoba.
Recruiting and supporting IMGs is essential to help meet demand for family physicians in Manitoba. Through the proposed project, Manitoba Health would work with key partners to expand and improve its Practice Ready Assessment process to support IMGs seeking to practice in family medicine in Manitoba. The project is expected to result in up to 90 new family physicians ready to work in Manitoba by 2028-2029.
The proposed investment would provide additional support for candidates and better meet Manitoba’s health-care workforce needs, especially in rural and remote communities. The program would help strengthen family medicine and emergency department services and support more reliable access to care for Manitobans, closer to home.
This investment is part of the concrete, coordinated actions the Government of Canada and its partners are taking to strengthen and expand the health workforce, delivering more timely, reliable access to high-quality health care services for everyone in Canada.
Quotes
“We want to help more internationally trained doctors put their skills and experience to work in Canada. This proposed funding would create more opportunities for qualified physicians to enter practice sooner, strengthening Manitoba’s health workforce and helping improve access to family health care, including in rural and remote communities.”
The Honourable Marjorie Michel
Minister of Health
“We know there are skilled, internationally trained doctors who are ready to care for Manitobans, and we want to make it easier for them to put their experience to work here. This partnership with the federal government will help us bring up to 90 more family physicians into our health-care system, strengthening access to care across Manitoba, especially in rural and remote communities.”
The Honourable Uzoma Asagwara
Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
“The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) welcomes today’s funding announcement as a positive step toward strengthening Manitoba’s healthcare workforce and bringing care closer to home for Manitobans. Municipalities see firsthand how access to healthcare impacts residents and the long-term vitality of our communities. Expanding opportunities for international medical graduates will help improve healthcare access and meet the needs of Manitoba communities.”
Kathy Valentino
Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM)
Quick Facts
- The funding announced is subject to the finalization of an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba.
- Manitoba has added 370 net new doctors since October 2023, but staffing needs remain, particularly in rural and northern communities.
- On December 8, 2025, the Government of Canada announced targeted immigration measures to recruit internationally trained physicians to Canada. This included the creation of a new Express Entry category for international physicians to work and stay here. The Government also reserved 5,000 additional federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers through the Provincial Nominee Program allocations, as well as expedited processing for applicants to this program.
- The Government of Canada is providing up to $77.1 million, through Budget 2024, to effectively integrate internationally educated health care professionals into the Canadian health workforce. To achieve this, the Government is supporting three streams of initiatives: improved navigation of federal credential recognition systems; funding of 120 new family medicine training positions; and increased assessment capacity.
- In addition, Budget 2025 is investing $97 million over five years to create a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund. The government will work with the provinces and territories to make credential recognition fairer, faster, and more transparent, helping qualified foreign-trained professionals contribute more quickly to Canada’s workforce, including in fields facing labour shortages such as health care and construction.
- Through the Working Together plan, the Government is providing close to $200 billion over 10 years. This includes $25 billion of funding through tailored bilateral agreements to meet the specific needs of each province and territory, such as support for the health workforce.
Associated Links
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
