New Rural Health Centre in The Pas to Honour Beloved Former NDP MLA

Manitoba’s health minister unveiled plans this week for a brand‑new clinic in The Pas, a small town that sits at the crossroads of several First Nations communities. The building, budgeted at roughly $5.8 million, will host family‑medicine doctors, a mental‑health wing, dental services and a telehealth suite—all under one roof.

What makes the announcement a little more personal, though, is the decision to name the facility after the late NDP MLA John "Jack" Scarth. Scarth, who represented The Pas for more than a decade before his untimely passing in 2022, was widely respected for his tireless advocacy for northern health care. Colleagues recall how he would drive long distances, sitting in the back of a pickup, to meet elders and hear firsthand the challenges they faced.

“Jack was the kind of guy who never shied away from the hard conversations,” said provincial health minister Kerri Irvin‑Ross. “He understood that a clinic isn’t just a building; it’s a lifeline. Naming this centre after him feels like a small way of keeping his spirit alive in the very work he cared about.”

Construction is set to begin this summer, with an expected opening in early 2025. When the doors swing open, the community will gain not only a modern health hub but also a gathering place—a spot where local doctors, nurses, and community health workers can collaborate with residents in a space that reflects their cultural values.

Local leaders are optimistic. Mayor Mike Wiebe noted, “For years we’ve talked about needing a full‑service clinic. Seeing this project move forward—and seeing it bear Jack’s name—gives us hope that our kids won’t have to travel so far for basic care.”

The province also announced supplemental funding for outreach programs, including mobile health vans that will travel to surrounding reserves on a weekly basis. Those vans will be equipped with diagnostic tools and will operate out of the new centre, creating a hub‑and‑spoke model that many rural communities have praised.

While the project has been welcomed by most, a handful of critics warned that the timeline is tight and that staffing could become a challenge once the clinic opens. In response, the health ministry pledged to work closely with local training colleges to attract new practitioners and to offer incentives for health professionals willing to relocate to The Pas.

In the end, the sentiment among most residents is one of quiet anticipation. As one elder from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation put it, “Jack always said we deserve the same level of care as anyone in Winnipeg. This clinic—his name on it—means he’s still watching over us.”