Steinbach City Council is joining municipalities across Manitoba in calling for a long-term solution to the province’s doctor shortage. On Tuesday, council unanimously supported signing a letter from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) Cities Caucus, urging the province to establish a rural medical campus at Brandon University. The campus would focus on training physicians for rural and northern communities. Supporting a local pathway to medicine Mayor Earl Funk said this move builds on local advocacy efforts that began nearly two years ago. He and Councillor Susan Penner have been meeting with provincial officials, health authorities and universities to explore ways to recruit and retain doctors in Steinbach. “One of the strongest ideas that came out of those conversations,” said Funk, “is helping local students train to become doctors and return to serve their communities. When students have family and community ties here, they’re much more likely to stay.” Funk added that Brandon University is ready to partner with the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba to create a “rural stream” for medical training, provided the province invests in the program. “This would take care of the long-term doctor shortage we’re looking at,” Funk said. “But we need significant investment by the province. If these shortages don’t get addressed, healthcare access will continue to be compromised.” Penner: “We need a tangible and lasting difference” Councillor Penner, who moved the motion, called the province’s current physician numbers “alarming.” She cited a 2024 Doctors Manitoba report showing the province has the second-lowest physician supply in the country, with only 219 doctors per 100,000 residents. Manitoba would need 346 more doctors to reach the national average. “The challenge is compounded by looming retirements,” Penner said. “In the next three years, about 20 percent of Manitoba’s active physicians are considering retiring, relocating, or reducing their hours.” Penner argued that a rural-focused medical program would help address these gaps. “There are many eager and qualified students who want to become doctors, but there just aren’t enough seats,” she said. “A medical campus in Brandon is an opportunity for the province to make a tangible and lasting difference in healthcare.” She also encouraged local chambers of commerce to advocate for improved doctor recruitment, noting that healthcare shortages affect economic growth. 8,000 residents in the region still waiting for a doctor Councillor Jac Siemens, who seconded the motion, noted that Steinbach’s need is immediate and widespread. “There are approximately 8,000 names on the list in Steinbach and area looking for a family doctor,” Siemens said. “This isn’t the solution, but it’s a step toward the solution. It’s part of our role as council to advocate, and this is one way we can do that.” Collaboration seen as key to progress Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra also voiced his support, emphasizing that municipalities can play a constructive role in addressing healthcare challenges even though health services are a provincial responsibility. “This is an example of how municipalities can contribute in a positive way,” Zwaagstra said. “We can’t run hospitals or set policy, but we can recommend focused solutions like this one. If we have people who grow up in our communities, go to medical school, and then come back, those are our easiest recruits.” Zwaagstra credited Councillor Penner and Mayor Funk for their leadership on the issue, calling their work “exactly what we need on this file.” “We can’t stop pushing for doctors” In closing, Funk said the city will continue to press for solutions and maintain pressure on provincial and educational leaders. “This will be a lifetime of working with this situation,” Funk said. “You never stop pushing for doctors. When we stop pushing, attrition happens. We need to keep the pedal to the metal. My name doesn’t need to be on this, but I just want proper healthcare and quality of life for our community.”