1989The Gauthier report on French-language health services
Following the publication of the report, the Province recognized the pressing need to create a primary care health centre for the Francophone population.1996Discussions on building a health centre for Francophones
To guide the conversation, a survey was conducted to determine the health needs of St. Boniface and St. Vital residents. In 1996, the Société franco-manitobaine (SFM), Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (CUSB) and the Grey Nuns of Manitoba initiated discussions on building a health centre for Francophones. As a result of the founding members’ focus on making the project a reality, Centre de santé Saint-Boniface was established within two years.1997Meetings with community representatives
St. Boniface General Hospital (SBGH) held meetings with community representatives to discuss the possibility of creating a health centre.1998Three-year pilot project
The project was submitted to the Manitoba Minister of Health and it received funding as a three-year pilot project.January 1999First Board of Directors
The Grey Nuns of Manitoba, CUSB and SFM established the first Centre de santé Saint-Boniface Board of Directors.July 26, 1999Opening of Centre de santé Saint-Boniface
When the Centre opened, a second objective was achieved: creating an environment where staff and clients could interact in French. Soon, successful negotiations were held with SBGH to obtain space, and staff was hired. It was a small bilingual team of 12 employees. The Centre set itself apart with its comprehensive approach to the concept of wellness. It brought physicians, nurses, a nutritionist and mental health counsellors together under one roof, so as to meet the diverse primary care needs of clients. In addition to offering a health care access point, the Centre has also acted as a community development facilitator.2002A permanent facility
Over the years, through the many partnerships established with the community, the Centre has delivered valuable services to the French-speaking population of Winnipeg and to St. Boniface residents and has helped train bilingual nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians.February 2004Health Links–Info Santé
The Centre took charge of the bilingual component of the provincial Health Links–Info Santé call centre.2016Moving into Accès–Access Saint-Boniface
Centre de santé space, staff and services were expanded.2018Opening of Walk-In Connected Care Clinic
This clinic helps maintain health service delivery in the area and increase French-language health services.
The founding members of Centre de santé Saint-Boniface are as important as ever! They are represented by:
The Executive Director of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine (SFM)
The President of Université de Saint-Boniface (formerly Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface)
The CEO of Réseau Compassion Network (formerly Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba)
While the Centre is independently-governed, these leading members of the Franco-Manitoban community play a key role in ensuring the organization runs smoothly by:
- participating in Board member nominations;
- organizing the annual general meetings as well as special meetings;
- lending their approval to important projects (such as a change in mission or mandate, establishing a subsidiary or an auxiliary corporation, etc.).