Manitoba Government Continues to Strengthen Safety in Health-Care Facilities

Press Release

New Safety Measures Expand Support for Health-Care Workers in The Pas and Across Manitoba: Asagwara

The Manitoba government is continuing to strengthen safety in health-care facilities across the province by introducing First Nations Safety Officers (FNSOs) at St. Anthony’s General Hospital in The Pas, expanding institutional safety officer (ISO) coverage and developing a provincewide, zero-tolerance policy for violence and abuse in health-care settings, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today.

“Health-care workers asked for safer workplaces, and we’ve worked with them to deliver real improvements,” said Asagwara. “When we took office, there were no ISOs working in Manitoba hospitals. Today, there are more than 130 helping keep staff, patients and visitors safe. We’re building on that progress with new investments, a stronger layered security approach and a provincewide zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence.”

At St. Anthony’s General Hospital in The Pas, FNSOs will be introduced to help strengthen safety while providing culturally informed support for patients, families and staff.

Dedicated, 24-7 ISO coverage will be added at Concordia Hospital later this month, the minister said. The added ISO coverage builds on recent safety improvements, including upgraded lighting, amnesty lockers and additional secured access points.

ISOs will also be in place at Seven Oaks General Hospital by June 15, adding another layer of security support for staff, patients and visitors, the minister noted.

Since 2024, Manitoba has added more than 130 ISOs at hospitals provincewide with an annual investment of more than $18 million to support the program. The Manitoba government has also expanded protection services, increased controlled access points, upgraded security cameras and lighting, installed amnesty lockers and introduced staff safety tools such as the SAFE App and RAVE alert system.

At Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, safety improvements have included a 24-hour Winnipeg Police Service presence, enhanced security in tunnels and parkades, additional cameras and lighting upgrades, advanced weapons detection technology and expanded access controls.

In Thompson, the Manitoba government added ISOs, established a 24-hour security presence and created a security access checkpoint at the hospital’s main entrance.

“The ISOs have made a really great impact in staff and patient safety,” said Jillian Hooper, clinical resource nurse, Grace Hospital emergency department. “Their presence has made the department feel safer, and they’re always there when we need them. They are often able to recognize when a situation is escalating and step in early to help de-escalate before it becomes a bigger issue. When situations do become serious, they’re right there to help ensure everyone stays safe. Having that extra support, especially in the waiting room, has improved staff morale and made a noticeable difference in the overall safety of our department.”

To reduce the burden on health-care staff in determining whether police intervention or other actions are needed, the Manitoba government will establish a consistent response across Manitoba’s health-care system to ensure incidents of violence and abuse are addressed appropriately, the minister noted. This initiative is expected to be the first of its kind in Canada and builds on Manitoba’s calls for the federal government to strengthen protections for health-care workers under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Budget 2026 invests an additional $5.2 million to continue strengthening safety in health-care facilities across Manitoba. Together with Canada’s first nurse-to-patient ratio legislation, these investments are helping create safer workplaces for health-care workers, strengthen recruitment and retention, and improve care for Manitobans, the minister said.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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