08/21/2026
Of Manitoba’s 124 personal care homes, six are currently listed as having licences “under review” or “with conditions.”
Extendicare operates all six.
That deserves attention. In fact, many want to know at what point does government step in?
When leadership instability, regulatory concerns and questions about resident care begin to form a pattern, Manitobans have every right to ask what accountability looks like—particularly when public dollars are funding care in privately operated, for-profit facilities.
And this isn’t a new conversation.
During the pandemic, when they were in opposition, members of today’s government called for much stronger intervention in for-profit long-term care.
In November 2020, Uzoma Asagwara said:
“We need to make sure that every private, for-profit home is taken over by this government.”
That same month, Wab Kinew supported an opposition motion calling on the province to temporarily take over Revera personal care homes during the pandemic where serious concerns had emerged.
Today, they are the government.
So what is the threshold for action now?
Is it enough to maintain the number of beds? Or should Manitobans also expect those beds to provide stable, consistent and safe care?
Other provinces have made different choices.
In 2022, the Saskatchewan Health Authority assumed responsibility for all five Extendicare long-term care homes in that province, transitioning approximately 1,300 employees into the public health authority. Extendicare no longer operates those homes.
We’re not suggesting these decisions are simple.
But when concerns persist, government has a responsibility to ask difficult questions—and act when necessary.
Manitoba seniors shouldn’t have to wait for another crisis before we decide what acceptable care looks like.
