ARNM Shares Key Recommendations for Manitoba’s 2026 Budget to Strengthen Nursing and Health Care
The Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) has submitted its recommendations for the 2026 provincial budget, outlining practical steps to support nurses, expand the workforce, and improve healthcare across the province.
“Nurses are at the heart of Manitoba’s healthcare system, delivering complex care, health education, and primary care services that benefit communities and the economy alike,” said ARNM. “Our recommendations focus on empowering nurses, supporting nursing students, and ensuring the next generation of nurses has the tools and capacity needed to meet Manitoba’s health-care needs.”
Key Recommendations
- Nursing Student Bursary – ARNM calls for a bursary to support nursing students, particularly as accelerated program timelines limit employment opportunities during their education. This financial support would help reduce student debt and smooth the transition into professional practice.
- Enable Full Scope of Practice – Nurses are highly trained professionals whose skills are sometimes underutilized due to regulatory or systemic barriers. ARNM recommends working with nurses and nursing organizations to ensure they can practice to their full scope, improving patient care and reducing health care costs.
- Invest in Nursing Education Capacity – Addressing the shortage of nursing faculty and clinical training staff is critical to meet growing student enrollment. Targeted investments will expand education capacity, strengthen mentorship for new graduates, and allow internationally educated nurses to join the workforce more efficiently.
Why It Matters
Manitoba continues to face nursing shortages that impact wait times, access to primary care, and workforce productivity. ARNM emphasizes that a strong, supported nursing workforce is essential for a resilient healthcare system and a healthy economy.
The association also notes positive steps in recent budgets, including increased student loan funding and improved recruitment and retention initiatives, while urging further action to address ongoing gaps.
The full ARNM Provincial Budget Submission provides detailed recommendations and context for policymakers, highlighting how investments in nursing benefit all Manitobans.