New Health Clinic in The Pas to Honor Late NDP MLA

When the announcement hit the wires on Tuesday, residents of The Pas felt a mix of pride and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. The provincial health ministry confirmed that a brand‑new health clinic will rise on the town’s south side, and—perhaps most poignantly—it will carry the name of the late NDP MLA, John McArthur, who passed away last winter after a long fight for better medical services.

McArthur was more than a politician to many; he was the guy who showed up at the community centre’s bake‑sale, who sat in the front row of every town hall, and who never stopped lobbying Winnipeg for a modern health‑care facility in the north. The decision to name the clinic after him feels like a natural continuation of that legacy.

Funding for the $5.2 million project comes from a combination of provincial health allocations and a federal rural‑development grant. Construction is slated to begin in early fall, with the doors expected to open by mid‑2027. The facility will house a family‑medicine clinic, a dental suite, and a small diagnostic lab—services that the community has been without for years.

"It’s more than bricks and mortar; it’s a tribute to a man who cared about our health as much as we do," said local school‑board member Sarah Lindstrom during a town‑hall meeting. She added that the naming ceremony, set for the clinic’s grand opening, will include a plaque unveiling and a moment of silence in McArthur’s honour.

Not everyone is thrilled, though. A handful of residents expressed concerns about the timeline and the need for clear communication on how the clinic will integrate with existing health‑service providers. The ministry has promised regular updates, promising transparency and community involvement every step of the way.

In the meantime, volunteers have already started a fundraiser to stock the clinic’s waiting room with local art and books—another nod to McArthur’s love for culture and education. If there’s one thing this story shows, it’s that a small town can rally together, turn grief into action, and build something that will serve generations to come.