Access to health care improving

Union Station

I’m happy to share some encouraging news about health care here in Manitoba. A new national survey shows that our province now leads Canada in access to family doctors and primary care. According to the 2025 OurCare National Survey (visit ourcare.ca/survey), nearly 89 per cent of Manitobans report having a regular primary-care provider, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner. In just two short years, Manitoba has gone from being among the worst provinces for primary-care access to the best.

This progress matters because primary care is often the first place people turn when they need help managing their health. A strong connection to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or clinic helps people catch illnesses earlier, manage chronic conditions, and get advice they trust. It also helps keep emergency rooms open for true emergencies by ensuring that everyday health concerns can be treated in the right setting.

Here in Winnipeg, access has improved significantly. Provincial data shows that 99 per cent of residents who used familydoctorfinder.ca are now matched with family doctors within the national standard of 25 days, with many connecting to care even faster.

Of course, improving access is only part of the story. We also want to make it easier for folks to actually book and attend those appointments when they need them. That’s where Medinav comes in.

Medinav.ca is Manitoba’s online system that helps you find and book same-day or next-day appointments at participating clinics across the province. Instead of waiting hours in an emergency department for a non-urgent issue, Medinav lets you quickly locate a nearby clinic and book a time that works for you. Available evenings, weekends, holidays and walk-in appointments, making it easier for families balancing work, school, and caregiving responsibilities to access care.

Getting started is simple. You can:

1. Create an account at medinav.ca;

2. Use your plastic or digital Manitoba Health card information;

3. Browse available appointments at participating clinics.

You’ll get text reminders, so you never miss your appointment, and you can even book visits for family members under the same account.

While there is still more work ahead to ensure everyone has access to timely care, these improvements show what’s possible when we work together to invest in recruiting doctors, strengthen primary care clinics, and making services easier to use.

If you have questions or need help, please reach out to my office at uzoma.asagwara@yourmanitoba.ca or call 204-306-8581. You can also visit my office at 210B-254 Edmonton Street, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Together, we’re building a stronger, more accessible health-care system for all Manitobans.