On September 4th, 2025, representatives of Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership—Yvan St. Vincent, Mayor of the Town of Sainte-Anne; Richard Pelletier, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Sainte-Anne; Armand Poirier, Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Taché; and Laurent Tétrault, Deputy Reeve of the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie—accompanied by Justin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM), met with the Honourable Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care. This strategic meeting aimed to advance the request for regional designation for Hôpital Ste. Anne Hospital.
This designation would enable the implementation of a realistic and phased plan to restore full emergency room hours, recruit qualified bilingual staff, and expand the range of services offered. The goal is to equip the region with a fully operational hospital, with the resources needed to effectively meet the growing needs of the population.
Following a tour of Hôpital Ste. Anne Hospital facilities—led by Chief of Staff Dr. Danèle Lanouette and Site Manager Janelle Lapointe—and a private meeting between frontline staff and the Minister, regional municipal leaders participated in a roundtable hosted at the Town of Sainte-Anne municipal office. This meeting confirmed regional consensus and highlighted broad support for the designation, with active backing from the Eastman Regional Municipal Committee (ERMC), represented by the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and AMBM member municipalities: the Village of Saint-Pierre-Jolys and the Rural Municipality of Piney.
We extend our sincere thanks to Southern Health-Santé Sud for their active participation and support. Their collaboration and commitment made the facility tour and meetings a success, helping to highlight on-the-ground realities and enrich the dialogue with the Minister.
Since its founding in 1954, the hospital has operated with a regional focus. Supported by the trust of its founding municipalities, Hôpital Ste. Anne Hospital has undergone several major renovations and received significant provincial investments, including the reinstatement of the general surgery program in 2002 and a $14 million expansion in 2013.
Today, Ste. Anne Hospital has 21 acute care beds and primarily serves the Francophone, bilingual, and Métis populations of southeastern Manitoba. This population is growing rapidly: the Town of Sainte-Anne saw a 36.5% increase, and the Rural Municipality of Sainte-Anne grew by 11.6%. The Francophone and bilingual populations also increased—by 16% in the Town and 3.6% in the RM. The Métis population grew by 59.5% in the Town and 27% in the RM.
Manitobans, wherever they live, must be assured of timely care when they visit emergency services. To fulfill this promise, we must not only ensure the presence of qualified staff but also create the conditions to attract and retain them. This includes modern, well-adapted infrastructure to support medical teams and working conditions that foster successful recruitment and retention. Without these elements—and without regional designation—it will be difficult to ensure stable and effective healthcare services in the region.
Currently, Hôpital Ste. Anne Hospital faces significant constraints due to reduced operating hours, limiting access to care. Despite this, demand remains strong: patients continue to visit the hospital, though many delay consultations to avoid already lengthy wait times.
The Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach is only part of the solution to easing pressure on the healthcare system in the region. It too faces high demand.
Hôpital Ste. Anne Hospital serves a significant Francophone and bilingual population that deserves equitable access to quality healthcare, delivered in the official language of their choice, with respect for their cultural sensitivity and dignity. Receiving care in one’s chosen official language is not just a right—it is a key factor in the quality of care.
The Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care was receptive to the issues raised and expressed the Manitoba government’s willingness to be a true and full partner in implementing concrete solutions for the region. The municipalities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the healthcare system to improve the quality of life for Manitobans. While not all improvements can be implemented immediately, a realistic and phased plan is needed to achieve lasting and tangible results. By working together, the Manitoba government and municipalities can establish a plan that ensures equitable access to quality care for all Manitobans in the region—here and now. Commitment to regional designation is the essential foundation for this plan to take shape and deliver meaningful, lasting improvements.
About the AMBM
The AMBM is the voice of bilingual municipal leadership in the province of Manitoba. It represents 16 municipal governments committed to offering services in both official languages to their residents. Together, these municipalities represent the majority of Manitoba’s population. Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership also leads the AMBM Group, a consortium of three organizations with complementary mandates: the AMBM, the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba, or CDEM) and Eco-West Canada (EWC), which specializes in the green economy. Complementing each other, these three organizations actively contribute to the development, vitality and sustainability of the province’s Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) and the province as a whole.
Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer (O-CEO), 204-289-4077, bcdd-oceo@ambm.ca.
