PCs Urge NDP to Launch Public Inquiry After Four ER Deaths Since Last Legislative Sitting
WINNIPEG — On the first day of the spring 2026 sitting of the Manitoba Legislature, Progressive Conservatives urged Premier Wab Kinew and his NDP to launch a public inquiry into the recent deaths of four Manitobans in recent months, following prolonged waits in emergency rooms.
“Manitobans deserve answers. These four families deserve answers. The New Democratic Party can no longer hide behind critical incident reports to look into these emergency room deaths,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “Wait times are the highest they’ve ever been, and Manitobans are fearful of having to go to the ER. We expect the premier to do the right thing and call a public inquiry to find out what’s happening in our emergency rooms, and restore Manitobans’ faith in the healthcare system.”
Genevieve Price died in November after waiting at the Grace and St. Boniface ERs for 30 hours. Stacey Ross died on Jan. 16 after waiting 11 hours during her second visit to the St. Boniface ER. Judy Burns died on Jan. 21, also at St. Boniface. According to her family, doctors repeatedly dismissed their concerns about Burns’ treatment over many hours. And six-month-old Luca Teng died mid-January at the Children’s Hospital after waiting ten hours in the emergency room.
“This is systemic. This is ongoing,” said Roblin MLA Kathleen Cook, PC Critic for Health. “This is not an issue with doctors or nurses—who are doing everything they can to address sometimes overwhelming needs. It’s about fixing what needs to be fixed.”
“Manitobans are deeply concerned and worried if they have to go to the emergency room. They’re worried about incredibly long waits, and they’re worried that they’ll be sent home without their concerns being properly addressed. A critical incident report isn’t made public—there’s no accountability.”
In addition to record ER wait times, for the first time in Manitoba’s history, three hospitals have been “grey listed” by the Manitoba Nurses Union. Health Sciences Centre has been grey listed since last summer, followed by Thompson General Hospital and St. Boniface Hospital just last month. A hospital that is grey listed means that nurses are declaring it too dangerous to work at, and union members are discouraged from accepting jobs or shifts there.
“When it comes to healthcare, there is nothing more important than ensuring the safety of patients and the dedicated professionals who care for them,” said Cook. “This is an area where government and Opposition should be united.”
“Let’s set aside political differences and work together to ensure our hospitals are safe, supportive environments for both patients and staff. Only a public inquiry can determine what’s gone so terribly wrong, and make recommendations on how to fix our healthcare system.”
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