NDP Block Bill Seeking Accountability for Specialist Wait Times in Manitoba
WINNIPEG — Roblin MLA Kathleen Cook, Progressive Conservative Critic for Health, is standing up for Manitoba patients by introducing Bill 215, The Specialist Wait Time Reporting Act, which will mandate biannual public reporting on wait times for medical specialist consultations and care. Today in debate, the NDP chose to talk out the bill instead of moving it forward to committee stage.
“Manitobans deserve answers. Right now, patients referred to specialists have no idea how long they’ll be waiting because this information is not tracked and publicly reported,” said Cook. “What’s measured is managed. If we want to reduce these wait times, more transparency for patients is the first step.”
Under the NDP government, wait times for essential procedures like hip and knee surgeries, and MRIs have skyrocketed: Hip and knee surgery wait times are the highest they have been in at least five years, and MRI wait times in Winnipeg have climbed as high as 52 weeks.
“These delays aren’t just numbers—they represent Manitobans waiting in pain, enduring complications, and losing hope,” said Cook.
Since taking office, the NDP have made short-sighted decisions that hiked Manitoba’s surgical and diagnostic wait times. They fired the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, cut options for patients waiting too long, and canceled contracts that expanded surgical capacity here in Manitoba.
“Manitobans are tired of waiting in the dark. This bill will ensure patients get the answers and accountability they deserve,” said Cook. “We can’t fix what we don’t measure. This is a chance to make real progress for Manitoba patients.”
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