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- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Doctors Manitoba Reports Record Increase in Physician Recruitment
Doctors Manitoba says the province is making considerable headway in addressing the physician shortage, but stresses that more must be done—particularly in relation to recruiting specialists and practitioners in rural areas. The advocacy organization outlined these findings in a new report released Thursday, assessing recent changes in Manitoba's medical workforce.
Nearly 200 Physicians Added in 2026
The report revealed a net increase of 196 physicians in Manitoba for the 2026 reporting period, the largest yearly gain recorded by the group. This surpasses the previous year's record of 164 new doctors. The latest figures are based on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba’s data from May 2025 to April 2026.
“Manitoba is heading in the right direction. It's very encouraging news,” said Dr. Alon Altman, president of Doctors Manitoba. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information figures included in the report, the province now has 235 doctors per 100,000 residents—a 4.5 percent increase from the prior year.
Persisting Gaps Compared to National Averages
Despite this progress, Manitoba remains below the national average of 246 physicians per 100,000 residents. Dr. Altman noted that while the gap has narrowed from a previous peak shortage of 445 physicians, significant work remains. “This is a huge amount of progress in a relatively short period of time,” Altman said. To meet the Canadian per capita average, Manitoba would need an additional 229 doctors.
Specialist Shortages Remain a Concern
The report highlights a pronounced specialist shortage, with Manitoba lacking 217 specialists—comprising the bulk of the remaining physician shortfall. Areas with the largest gaps include geriatric medicine, vascular surgery, nuclear medicine, gastroenterology, and cardiology. “These aren't just numbers. This affects the entire system. Patients are waiting longer for consultations, they're waiting longer for diagnostics, for surgeries,” Dr. Altman explained. “The entire system ends up being backed up.”
Rural and Northern Areas Lag Behind
Doctors Manitoba found that increases in physician recruitment have not been evenly distributed. Rural and northern health regions continue to trail other parts of the country in doctors per capita. Notably, Southern Health and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority exhibit the most pronounced doctor shortages. “These doctor shortages mean that it's difficult finding a doctor for families and patients outside of Winnipeg,” Altman said.
The organization is calling for recruitment strategies tailored to rural and northern communities and emphasizes the importance of physician retention alongside recruitment.
Risks from Physician Retirement and Relocation
The report also flags future risks: Doctors Manitoba estimates that 658 physicians may retire or relocate in the next three years. “If they all follow through with that, our recruitment efforts obviously would not be sufficient, and that would be a big blow to the health-care system and the province overall,” Dr. Altman warned. He added, “Recruitment alone isn't going to solve our physician shortage. We need to make Manitoba somewhere where patients are treated and physicians want to remain.”
Awaiting Response from the Provincial Government
CBC News has reached out to Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara’s office for comment regarding the report's findings and recommendations.
Source: cbc.ca.
