The Women’s Health Clinic in Winnipeg has received a much-needed funding boost.
On Thursday, the Government of Canada announced a $10 million investment from its Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
These funds come at a critical time. Just one week ago, the clinic’s Graham location had to shut down after their boiler gave out, causing significant water damage throughout their facility. Also a year ago, the building’s air conditioning unit failed, forcing staff to work through sweltering temperatures.
“Safe to say – this announcement couldn’t have come at a better time,” said the Women’s Health Clinic.
The funds will support critical upgrades to the building’s aging mechanical, electrical and elevator systems. It will also provide deep retrofits to enhance its resilience, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure we are meeting accessibility requirements so we can provide care to any client regardless of ability.
It will also make big improvements to the building to make it stronger, reduce carbon emissions, and make it easier for everyone to access for all clients, no matter their abilities.
“Over the past few years, our staff and clients have adapted to the challenges our aging building has thrown at us. WHC staff delivered care in sweltering heat last Summer when our air conditioning units broke, and pivoted by rescheduling appointments to virtual, over the phone or in person at one of WHC’s other locations, when our boiler stopped working just last week. With these sorely-needed updates to our infrastructure, we will be able to provide essential high-quality care in the community to even more people who need it than we currently do,” says Kemlin Nembhard, WHC Executive Director.
“This isn’t just an investment in a building – it’s also ensuring we can deliver intersectional feminist, client-centered care in Winnipeg and beyond, on Graham Ave for decades to come.”
WHC was founded in 1981 and has been delivering feminist, inclusive healthcare from our location at 419 Graham Avenue since 1983.