Manitoba NDP promises more sexual assault nurse examiners if elected

Manitoba's NDP promised Sunday that if elected on Oct. 3, the party would launch a new provincial sexual assault strategy.

The plan would ensuresexual assault nurse examiners are available at all times including in rural and northern communities. The party also promised to hire the equivalent of seven more forensic nurses as part of the promise, which would cost $2.4 million a year.

"A no-wrong-doors approach would make sure that someone who has been sexually assaulted could report anywhere they feel comfortable doing so," Uzoma Asagwara, incumbent NDP candidate for Union Station, said at a news conference Sunday morning.

Asagwara, along with St. John's incumbent candidate Nahanni Fontaine, said too often women have to wait to be seen after assaults, with some even being told to leave and not shower before returning.

Fontaine added the need for victims of sexual assault to see specialized nurses extends beyond Winnipeg to northern and rural communities. However, Fontaine pointed out that many of these communities don't offer the same level of service as Winnipeg.

"Consequently, women and girls from the north must travel to Winnipeg for services," said Fontaine. "This lack of proximity often prevents many women from seeking that essential forensic care that they require."

The PCs said in a statement to CBC thatthe NDP voted against a budget that would've increased health-care staffing.

Access not equal in province: nurse

Katie Stark has been a forensic nurse for over a decade and said the NDP's plan if elected has "been a longtime dream ofmany."

"The health-care system is not easy to navigate and access to a forensic nurse is not equitable across our province," said Stark.

"It is a key component to the healing process that nurses meet patients where they present, in an environment or a community where they feel at ease."

Asagwaraadded some of the seven full-time equivalent nurses would be deployed in Winnipeg and others elsewhere in the province. They said those decisions will be made in consultation with organizations and service providers.

"We're committed to working collaboratively in partnership with the experts locally and making sure that a strategy is developed that meets Manitobans' needs across the province."

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Party Leader Wab Kinew was in Thompson, Man., Sunday where he made a handful of promises.

Kinew said the party would restore birthing services in northern Manitoba in Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Norway House, so families canhave culturally appropriate care in their home communities, an NDP news release Sunday said.

Kinew's promises also included recruitment efforts for a new nursing station in Pimicikamak Cree Nation and adding dialysis care for diabetes patients. Hepledged to add an MRI machine to the Thompson hospital, the release said.

The party's promises in Thompson also included funding for improvements to various northern roads including Provincial Roads 280, 374 and 391 to benefit nearby First Nations. The party also pledges to improve safety on Highway 6with more rest stops.

Advance polls opened in Manitoba on Saturday.