October 2, 2026

TOP STORIES

01

Most Sick Notes Now Prohibited 

Manitoba’s new sick note law is now in effect and should eliminate most sick note requests for physicians. The legislation follows years of advocacy by Doctors Manitoba and it is the strongest of its kind in Canada.  

But we need your help to reinforce the rules and make them work in practice.  

What you can do: Doctors Manitoba has created a new Physician Sick Note resource page to help physicians and clinic teams reinforce the new rules with patients and employers. Resources include: 

✔️ Summary of the new rules of when sick notes can’t and can be requested 

✔️ A notice to add to your sick note template 

✔️ Posters for your clinic 

✔️ Scripts for clinic staff 

✔️ Suggestions for charging, now that employers must reimburse employees 

➡️ Access the Physician Sick Note resource page and help eliminate unnecessary sick notes.  

Why it matters: Changing the law is only part of the solution. Canadian Medical Association research has found physicians continue to write millions of sick notes in provinces that have already limited their use. Changing longstanding practices will take support from physicians, employers and employees. 

“Manitoba’s new sick note legislation is the result of years of collaboration and consensus-building among physicians, employers, unions, human resource professionals, and government,” said Dr. Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba. “By working together, Manitoba found a better approach that is good for patients, good for employers, and good for doctors.” 

While reducing administrative burden is a major benefit of the change, it will also improve access for patients. 

“We can free up 300,000 medical appointments for patients who need medical care, and not just paperwork,” Doctors Manitoba Board Chair and Past President Dr. Nichelle Desilets said at a press conference Tuesday. 

Funding for this initiative was made possible by the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program. 

Doctors Manitoba Board Chair and Past President, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, delivered remarks at a press conference Tuesday from the Manitoba Legislature. She was joined by government, business, and HR partners at the event. 

02

Dynacare Disruptions 

While the Dynacare strike only lasted a day, we continue to see reports in the media that locations are experiencing long waits, limited hours or sudden closures (see CBC article, for example). 

What this means for your patients: Patients seeking tests at Dynacare should be reminded to check ahead to ensure their preferred location is open.  

Resources: 

• Doctors Manitoba Dynacare Strike Watch – We are closely monitoring the situation and providing updates here.  

• Dynacare Location Hours – Find Dynacare locations and hours here. Remind patients to call ahead and verify hours listed online. 

• Shared Health Diagnostic Locations – A running list of locations throughout the province on this page. 

What we’re monitoring: On Thursday, The Manitoba Labour Board issued a decision confirming that Dynacare workers perform "essential services."  

• This means that before any further strike action can take place, Dynacare and MAHCP must negotiate an Essential Services Agreement with these terms.  
  
• Until that is complete, Dynacare employees are not permitted to strike. Essential services agreements mean that should a strike or lockout happen in the future, essential services continue to operate and only a portion of staff would be off of work.  

• How much of an impact this would have on labs in the future is still unknown, and something Doctors Manitoba is monitoring very closely. 

03

Next Steps for Dauphin 

This week we shared physician feedback with Premier Kinew, Health Minister Asagwara and other top system leaders on the next phase of health-service recovery in Dauphin. 

• By the numbers: Nearly eight in 10 physicians (79%) say they are satisfied with efforts to establish temporary services in or near Dauphin, given the extent of damage to the hospital.  

• What’s needed next: Physicians want to see more services restored as soon as possible, including through temporary solutions. The most pressing priorities include obstetrics, restoration of full CT services, and surgery. 

• Important challenges remain. Physicians want clearer regional planning for services being delivered in surrounding communities, including medical beds, operating rooms and obstetrical care. 

A top concern for physicians is ensuring there is sufficient additional medical coverage during this prolonged period of hospital services currently dispersed across multiple communities across the province. Some flexibility in coverage and support for physicians will help to maintain services for patients and retain doctors in the community.

Read our full coverage. 

04

CMA Updates Code of Ethics 

The CMA’s revised Code of Ethics and Professionalism now spells out how physicians are expected to address racism and discrimination, especially anti-Indigenous racism, in patient care and in relationship with their colleagues. 

Cultural safety, anti-racism and respect for Indigenous world views are now an important part of the profession’s ethical framework. 

Learn more about what’s new. 

05

Claims Held by Manitoba Health? 

We’ve noticed a sharp increase in the number of physicians reporting claims being held by Manitoba Health. Traditionally, only a very limited number of isolated claims were held for review and often to simply obtain more information to substantiate the claim.  

⚠️ Why it matters: Doctors Manitoba is concerned by more and more physicians reporting an increasing number of groups of claims held for review. Plus, there is no clear process to resolve some of these broader holds.  

• We’ve raised this with senior Manitoba Health officials and are pushing for greater clarity and fairness. 

• If your claims are held: Don’t ignore a request for information. Review the applicable tariff and your documentation, respond by the deadline and contact us if the hold seems unusual or involves a large volume of claims. 

Read our new Claims Held for Review resource 

PHENOMENAL PHYSICIAN

Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Cook, who has joined the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) as a Knowledge Keeper and Senior Advisor.  

Dr. Cook also co-chairs the Doctors Manitoba Indigenous Specific Racism Advisory Circle. 

Read the announcement on Instagram. 

WORTH NOTING

Government Hires 17 Psychiatrists 

The Manitoba government has hired 17 psychiatrists this year. The new psychiatrists will work across hospital and community-based mental health services, with 14 working primarily in Winnipeg and three at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. 

Read the full release. 

Build Your Leadership Skills 

Whether you’re leading patients or leading care teams in an official capacity, all physicians lead by example. Doctors Manitoba is pleased to offer a new suite of Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) courses in conjunction with the CMA.  

• Crucial Conversations for Accountability October 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Virtual) Building on the skills learned in the Crucial Conversations for Dialogue, this course provides tools and techniques necessary to handle challenging conversations. Register here. 

• Leading High-Performance Culture November 20 and 21 (In Person) Learn to assess and impact organizational culture and explore strategies to design and shape the culture in more intentional directions, while managing the risks of culture dynamics. Register here. 

Politics Watch: PC Leader Khan Steps Down 

On Monday, the leader of the Official Opposition PC Party, the Honourable Obby Khan, announced he was resigning as leader and was leaving the PC caucus to sit as an independent MLA. Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye, has been appointed the interim leader. The PC Party will now determine a process for selecting a new leader. 

Manitoba's next provincial election is scheduled for October 2027, but an earlier election call is possible. Doctors Manitoba monitors legislative developments and election predictions because they can quickly impact health care funding and medical care. 

Win Tickets to See Jordan at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People 

Doctors Manitoba is sponsoring the current production of Jordan, exploring themes around Jordan's Principle. Please enter here to win 2 tickets to your choice of the upcoming performances: 

  Saturday, October 10 @ 1 p.m. 

  Sunday, October 11 @ 1 p.m. 

We will draw on Monday, October 5. Winners will have 24 hours to claim the tickets. 

🧡 Learn more about the show. 

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

Doctors Manitoba’s job board has new practice opportunities for physicians at many locations, including Pinnacle Medical Services, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!  

Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here. 

ICYMI

Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:  

• Prepare for eConsultCX: Manitoba is moving to a single eConsult platform, eConsultCX, which replaces the current Store & Forward and BASE systems on October 22. New submissions on the current platforms close October 5, so download any records you want to keep before October 18. Read our full coverage. 

• Billing for After-Hours Premiums: Evening and weekend care may qualify for a premium rate, but only when specific operational or patient conditions are met. With Manitoba Health paying closer attention to claims, review the requirements before you bill. Check out our after-hours billing advice. 

• SR&ED Tax Credit Webinar: Bond Consulting Group is hosting a webinar for members on October 8 at 7 p.m. to explain how eligible medical work could generate $25,000 to $200,000 in annual tax refunds. You’ll learn who qualifies, which activities count, and how to get started. Reserve your spot. 

• DRMB Book Club: Join us for the Fall Edition of Doctors Manitoba Book Club on November 19, 2026, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm CST as we explore "The Road Between Us" by author and pediatrician, Dr Bindu Suresh. Please register here. 

EVENTS AND CPD

We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers. 

Fall Mentorship Event: Night at the Manitoba Museum  

Join us for an evening of networking and teamwork and take part in a museum-wide scavenger hunt!  

🕕 Thursday, October 15, from 6 to 8:30 p.m  

📍 Manitoba Museum  

Register here.  

30th Annual Bug Day 2026, October 22, 7:55 a.m. - 4 p.m. Virtual. Join the 30th Annual Bug Day, a free, virtual, fully accredited continuing professional development event hosted by Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg in collaboration with the University of Manitoba CPD Medicine Program. Hear from leading experts on infectious diseases, public health, and communicable disease prevention. Important: To receive continuing professional credits for attending the daylong program. Learn more and view the agenda.  

Crucial Conversations for Accountability, October 23, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Virtual. The Crucial Conversations for Accountability course is designed to empower participants with the tools and techniques necessary to handle challenging conversations that require clear accountability, mutual respect, and effective outcomes. Learn more and register. 

Cardiology Day 2026, October 30, 2026, 7:30 – 3:30 p.m. UM Bannatyne Campus Basic Medical Sciences Building. Cardiology Day 2026 is a comprehensive one-day educational program designed for family physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, residents, and other healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular care. Learn more and register. 

We are here to support the whole physician.

Every step of the way.

Your health & well-being are important to us.

Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762

For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,

career resources or practice advice please

email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888

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