January 12, 2023
About
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute, concerned with issues of social, economic, and environmental justice.
Context
Rural paramedics are stretched thin and underpaid compared to their urban counterparts. Difficult working conditions for rural paramedics are exacerbating recruitment and retention gaps and contributing to high job vacancy rates across this essential service.
The Manitoba Government commissioned an EMS review with recommendations to modernize paramedicine in the province. That review was released in March 2013, the 10-year anniversary is approaching . The Manitoba EMS Review is here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/documents/ems.pdf Research is needed on key aspects of the EMS review implementation, particularly in relation to staffing, response times and unit funding.
Goals of this research:
● Document key aspects of the state of rural paramedic services, including staffing levels, wages, and response times, in Manitoba.
● Identify recommendations to recruit and retain paramedics in Manitoba, including closing wage disparities between regions, and strengthen the rural paramedic workforce.
● Make recommendations to strengthen public paramedic service responses in Manitoba based on key aspects the EMS review.
Contract responsibilities:
● Compare key aspects of the Manitoba EMS Review to the current rural EMS system in Manitoba (ie response times, coverage, staffing levels)
● Identify recommendations to recruit and retain paramedics in Manitoba, including closing wage disparities between regions, and strengthen the rural paramedic workforce.
● Make recommendations to strengthen public paramedic service responses in Manitoba based on key aspects the EMS review.
● Write the introduction and conclusion of the report
This work with be alongside the following quantitative data with a narrative description.
1.) Quantitative research – based on available data / FIPPA:
a.) Paramedic response times; Winnipeg right care arriving – data from MTCC
b.) Coverage – reach a certain area within standard
c.) Staffing levels – RHA annual reports 2021/22 – seniority documents;
d.) Wages compared regionally and to other jurisdictions – from CAs
Output:
Peer-reviewed report for general public published by CCPA Manitoba.
Skills sought:
● Graduate or Masters student in health or social sciences
● Knowledge of paramedic services in Manitoba
● Knowledge of health funding and governance in Manitoba
● Excellent public policy research skills
● Strong writer
Timeline:
First draft for review- End March 2023
Second draft for peer review – Mid April 2023
Final draft for layout -3rd week April 2023
Launch – End April 2023
Amount available for this contract: $4,000.
Please email Molly McCracken, molly@policyalternatives.ca with a statement of interest, resume and
writing sample asap.
For Immediate Release (Winnipeg, Treaty One): As CCPA predicted (1), the mid-year fiscal update released today shows the Provincial Manitoba budget is in surplus, demonstrating the province can do more to help those struggling with the affordability crisis.
Access to reproductive health services is a social justice issue. Such access helps guarantee the right of “security of the person” for women. During the 1980’s, in Manitoba and Canada, there was a protracted reproductive choice campaign that resulted, in 1988, in the elimination of the law restricting abortion services in Canada. The struggle for reproductive health services and reproductive choice has continued since then. To expand and entrench access to reproductive health, including access to abortion services, there is still much to be done. We will need to organize to prepare our community for the onslaught against reproductive health services that is bound to come to Canada from the United States.
Ellen Kruger is a long-time women’s health activist. She was founding board chair of the Women’s Health Clinic which opened in 1981 and the chairwoman of and spokesperson for the Coalition for Reproductive Choice from 1981 to 1989.
Kemlin Nembhard is the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic in Winnipeg.

November 30, 2022
For Immediate Release (Winnipeg): Across Canada, parents see their childcare fees drop. But
this is not happening in Manitoba. More than a year after the Manitoba government signed
onto the federal government’s national child care agreement, families in Manitoba have not
seen their childcare fees reduced.
Niall Harney’s presentation in response to Bill 4, The Minimum Wage Adjustment Act,
2022.

Follow us!