In these final days of the federal election campaign, Manitobans rank health care as their third biggest issue of concern behind cost of living and Canada‑U.S. relations. That’s according to a new poll by Probe Research and the Winnipeg Free that reflects similar trends nationwide.

This week each major candidate released their party’s costed platform. Here’s a brief snapshot of what each is promising on health care:

• Conservative Party: Work with provinces to create nationally-recognized licenses for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals; bring home Canadian students studying abroad by expanding residency spots; rapidly recognize U.S.-board certified professionals and add 15,000 doctors by 2030. More information here

• Liberal Party: Add thousands of new doctors to Canada’s health care system by increasing medical school spaces, expanding residency positions and using a new global recruitment strategy to streamline credentials; build more hospitals, shorten wait times for life-saving medications, and reduce administrative burden; implement a national license for physicians and nurses and launch a Task Force for Public Health Care Innovation. More information here

• National Democratic Party (NDP): Guarantee access to a family doctor and primary care by 2030 and create pan-Canadian licensure; launch universal pharmacare, securing free diabetes medication and birth control in every province and territory; stop privatization of health care. More information here

Doctors Manitoba stands firmly by the CMA’s assertion that regardless of politics, a publicly funded health care system is one fundamental value, grounded in a belief that every person deserves access to health care, no matter where they live and regardless of their ability to pay for services. The CMA has also reviewed the major federal political party platforms and identified how they link to the CMA’s recommendations. You can find their comments on the CMA’s federal elections tracker.