New momentum to ease labour mobility rules worries some Manitoba health-care leaders

Federal party leaders and provincial governments are working together to make it easier for workers to move between provinces in response to U.S. tariffs. However, some health-care leaders in Manitoba are expressing concerns about the potential consequences of increased labor mobility.

Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, is worried that nurses may take advantage of the opportunity to seek better working conditions elsewhere. She has been vocal about the challenges nurses face in the public health-care system and fears that scrapping labor mobility restrictions could exacerbate the existing issues.

Despite these concerns, both the Liberals and Conservatives have made promises to improve labor mobility. The Liberals have called for a Canada-wide credential recognition plan and the elimination of federal hurdles to worker movement. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have pledged to develop a national competency test for health-care professionals.

Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, shares Jackson’s concerns about the potential negative impact on Manitoba. He believes that the province needs to remain competitive in areas such as wages, working conditions, and scope of practice to retain health-care workers.

Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the Canadian Medical Association, believes that easing labor mobility restrictions could benefit rural and remote areas the most. She hopes that the renewed interest in updating labor mobility rules will lead to lasting changes that will make it easier for physicians to move between provinces.

While some physician advocacy groups are intrigued by the idea of pan-Canadian licensing, they believe that other changes, such as simplifying the path to licensing for international physicians, would be more effective in addressing the doctor shortage.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Minister Jamie Moses are optimistic about the potential benefits of increased labor mobility for the province. They believe that making it easier for people to move between jurisdictions will attract more workers to Manitoba’s health-care system.

Overall, while there are concerns about the potential challenges that increased labor mobility could bring, there is also optimism about the positive impact it could have on addressing labor shortages in the health-care sector. It remains to be seen how these proposed changes will be implemented and what the long-term effects will be on Manitoba’s health-care system.