WINNIPEG – The Government of Manitoba and the labour association representing the province’s doctors have announced an agreement that would top up investments for elder care, mental health supports, and treatment for complex and chronic health conditions. In a joint announcement with Doctors Manitoba, the province says they’ll be increasing medical remuneration by 0.75 per cent in their 2019-2023 Master Agreement, which will be effective on April 1. Doctors Manitoba says the government will also deliver an increase of one per cent next year.

The funding will go toward health care services such as psychotherapy, long-term chronic and geriatric-specific care, and psychiatric hospital care. Doctors Manitoba says the province’s payment increase will help to alleviate increasing overhead costs being faced by the province’s physicians. Right now, those expenses include PPE as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Cory Baillie says the agreement amounts to an estimated increase of over $8 million.