Manitoba news: NDP sats it’s on track to hiring 1,000 new health-care workers [Video]

WINNIPEG –

Manitoba’s NDP government is more than halfway toward its goal of hiring 1,000 health-care workers since taking office nearly a year ago, with some groups representing health-care staff applauding the news but saying it’s a “drop in the bucket” when it comes to addressing staffing shortages.

The province announced on Thursday that from April to August it has hired 873 net new health-care workers to work within the public system.

This includes health-care aides, nurses, physicians and midwives.

“This has been a big undertaking, not only at a bureaucratic or a legislative level, but on a cultural level in health care, too,” Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara told reporters.

“It’s about rebuilding respect, rebuilding trust and rebuilding a collective faith in our vital public service.”

Prior to being elected during last year’s provincial election, Premier Wab Kinew promised $500 million over four years to …