Home > News & Events > MAHCP statement about CancerCare Manitoba’s safety & security protocols

Posted August 20, 2025

It has been less than two weeks since concerns about safety and security at the Health Sciences Centre campus reached a boiling point following escalating violence.

Yet, this week, CancerCare Manitoba was in the news for continuing to direct staff to use one of five less secure building doors other than the main facility entrance, putting employees at risk.

The employer’s reasoning? They wanted to save access to the facility via the main doors (staffed by security) for patient use only, and cited ‘patient confidentiality’ as one of the reasons. They went on to acknowledge that the access procedure was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hadn’t been revisited.

On August 20, CancerCare communicated a reversal of the staff entry protocol decision, opening up the main door to employees following ongoing complaints and union pressure.

“Patient and staff safety and security are paramount, and our members are rightfully concerned about their protection from harm while at work,” said Jason Linklater, MAHCP President. “This overdue entry-point change seems like one very small, but effective way to enhance safety that should have been done much sooner. Employers should not have to be publicly shamed to do the right thing. Our members provide vital care to others, and they must be treated with care, respect for their well-being, and with safety and security always at the forefront.”