Northern Manitoba in Canada declares health emergency amid severe nursing shortage

Nursing News: Acute Nursing Shortage Hits Cree Nation Hard
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, located in northern Manitoba-Canada, has declared a state of emergency due to a critical nursing shortage. Since September 2023, the community’s health centre has been open only for emergency cases, leaving residents in a precarious situation regarding their healthcare needs. However, the situation has worsened since mid-2024.


Northern Manitoba in Canada declares health emergency amid severe nursing shortage

Health Centre Under Siege
The nursing station in Nisichawayasihk, home to around 3,500 residents on the reserve and another 2,500 off the reserve, has been operating under extreme pressure. Chief Angela Levasseur of Nisichawayasihk, based in Nelson House, about 65 kilometres west of Thompson, has highlighted the dire situation.
 
“In some of the worst situations, we’ve had reports of nurses working around the clock, in a 24-hour period maybe getting 2-3 hours of sleep. That is unacceptable,” Levasseur stated during a press conference. “Our people have a right to health care. It is inhumane and an affront to our dignity that, in our land, we are seen as second-class citizens.”
 
Community at Breaking Point
Levasseur emphasized that the current state of affairs cannot continue. With a significant portion of the population comprising infants, elders, and individuals with chronic health conditions, the lack of accessible healthcare services has had devastating effects.
 
“Our people are suffering as a result … and the nurses are also being put under a lot of pressure and stress needlessly,” she said. The emergency-only policy at the nursing station has created tension and frustration within the community. Nurses, already overworked and stressed, have faced insults, threats, and even physical assaults from residents who are desperate for medical care.
 
“It’s a very toxic situation that is happening. Everyone is at their breaking point,” Levasseur explained.
 
Comparison to Urban Centers
Levasseur drew a stark comparison between the healthcare situation in Nisichawayasihk and that in urban centres like Winnipeg. “That would never happen in the city of Winnipeg. You would never ever go to a walk-in clinic that is open to emergencies only,” she said. “Can you imagine the outrage? People would lose their minds.”
 
Residents of Nisichawayasihk are now being directed to Thompson, an hour-long drive away, for non-emergency medical care. This solution is fraught with challenges, particularly for those living in poverty without access to transportation. Furthermore, the Thompson General Hospital is already overburdened and unable to handle the additional strain.
 
A Broader Crisis
Nisichawayasihk is not alone in this crisis. In March, Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) also declared a health emergency due to a severe nursing shortage. With a population of 8,000, Pimicikamak should have at least 13 nurses, but there are only four.
 
Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak described the situation as a crisis and criticized the inadequate response from Indigenous Services Canada and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. “We cannot function as a community and we cannot continue in this crisis state,” he told Nursing News and mainstream media reporters.
 
Funding and Pay Disparities
A significant factor contributing to the crisis is the disparity in pay between public health nurses and those employed by private agencies. Jessie Horodecki, the executive director at the personal care home in Nisichawayasihk, pointed out that a newly licensed practical nurse earns about $31 per hour as a permanent staff nurse in Manitoba, compared to $45 per hour with a private agency.
 
“That’s a drastic difference. That’s why we have such a shortage of public health nurses in the province,” Horodecki explained.
 
Long-Term Solutions Needed
Government data reveals that nursing stations in remote First Nations communities in Manitoba faced a 67 percent operational vacancy in the last fiscal year. Lynda Wright, Nisichawayasihk’s director of health, stated that the community needs at least five nurses on any given day to provide proper care but typically only has two.
 
Every year since 2015, Wright has submitted proposals to the government to increase funding to hire more nurses and pay them better. “In 2025, it’s going to be 10 years,” she said. “It’s very disheartening.”
 
A Call for Immediate Action
Both Levasseur and Monias have called for immediate action to address the crisis. They argue that the government is violating the rights of northern First Nations to effective healthcare, a right enshrined in treaties and legislation.
“We continue to cry out for help, to make sure we can provide our people with the healthcare they deserve,” Monias said.
 
National Implications
The crisis in northern Manitoba highlights a broader issue affecting many Indigenous communities across Canada. Chronic underfunding, logistical challenges, and systemic inequities have left these communities with inadequate healthcare services.
 
In recent years, there have been numerous calls for the federal government to address these disparities. However, despite some efforts, the situation in many remote and northern communities remains dire.
 
Moving Forward
The declaration of a state of emergency by Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is a desperate plea for help and a demand for justice. The community’s leaders are urging both provincial and federal governments to take immediate and substantial actions to resolve the nursing shortage and improve healthcare services.
 
As Canada continues to grapple with these systemic issues, it is crucial for all levels of government to recognize the urgent need for change. The health and well-being of thousands of Indigenous people depend on it.
 
Conclusion
The nursing shortage in northern Manitoba is more than just a healthcare issue; it is a matter of human rights and dignity. The residents of Nisichawayasihk and other affected communities deserve the same level of care and respect as any other Canadian. Addressing this crisis requires not only immediate intervention but also long-term, sustainable solutions to ensure that such a situation never occurs again. The call to action is clear: it is time for the government to step up and provide the necessary support to these communities.
 
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/health-care-state-of-emergency-nisichawayasihk-cree-nation-manitoba-1.7271138
 
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