Health System Updates — December 11, 2025
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Measles Update
Manitoba has seen a total of 270 measles cases in Manitoba since February 2025, with most recent exposure sites at Plum Coulée’s C.J. Dyck Arena, and Winkler’s Gospel Mission Church, Boundary Trails Health Centre, and Outpost Grill. See resources for physicians on the Doctors Manitoba Measles Update page, including links to all exposure sites and symptom-monitoring windows. Share our patient resources on the importance of immunization through our Getting Healthy blog content.
New Immigration Fast Track
The federal government is creating a new Express Entry category for international physicians with at least one year of recent Canadian work experience, with invitations expected to start in early 2026. The goal is to give practice-ready doctors already working here a clearer, more stable path to stay. Ottawa is also adding 5,000 new admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed physicians with job offers. Under the new plan, nominated doctors would benefit from expedited 14-day work-permit processing so they could keep working while their permanent residence is finalized.
While a positive step forward, Doctors Manitoba is monitoring developments closely
We await details about how this new program will work in Manitoba and look forward to learning more about.
Supervised Consumption Sites
Doctors Manitoba is closely monitoring developments on a proposed supervised consumption site in Winnipeg as the province expands public consultation about its location. There is strong consensus among addictions medicine specialists, including the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine for these types of sites, as they have been shown to significantly reduce overdose mortality in surrounding communities, improve access to care and treatment, decrease the transmission of infectious disease, and are strongly supported as an evidence-based practice to help people recover with dignity from substance use disorders.
We will continue to watch these developments as the government takes into consideration public feedback about the proposed site, currently set for Henry Avenue in downtown Winnipeg.
Eriksdale ER Construction
The Manitoba government will begin construction early next year on an $8.6‑million redevelopment of the emergency department and acute care areas at E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital in Eriksdale. The redesign includes upgraded triage and waiting areas, improved accessibility, modernized inpatient rooms, and enhanced staff and family spaces. Construction is proposed to begin in February, with full construction to follow later that month.
Update to the Doctors Manitoba Physician Health Program
Recently, we communicated Dr. Shelley Anderson started a new role as the Associate CMO-Indigenous Health with the WRHA, in addition to her role at Doctors Manitoba as the Medical Director for our physician health programs. After several weeks of reflection, Dr. Anderson has decided to step away from her role at Doctors Manitoba, effective February 28, 2026, to increase her clinical practice serving Indigenous patients and communities.
We are grateful for the wisdom, expertise and care Dr. Anderson has shared with the membership, the Board, staff at Doctors Manitoba, and partner organizations. Her commitment to the health and well-being of medical learners and physicians in Manitoba is unwavering. While Dr. Anderson will be deeply missed, we are excited for what is next in her clinical and leadership work.
As part of this transition, we are looking for a new Medical Director to support the clinical team in our physician health program. If you have experience working in mental health and addictions, we would like to hear from you. More information about the position can be found here.
Submit Your Research for the International Conference on Physician Health
The International Conference on Physician Health™ (ICPH) is accepting abstracts for its next gathering in London, UK from September 28 – 30, 2026. This scientific conference is sponsored jointly by the BMA, AMA and CMA. The 2026 theme is “Sustainable strategies for a healthy and fulfilling medical career” with sub-themes including system change, AI, and practicing in challenging environments. Abstracts will be accepted until Feb. 2, 2026.