Annual report 2023-2024
A message from Dr. Nathan Nickel, MCHP Director
As I reflect on the 2023/24 fiscal year, I am honoured and humbled to be part of such an incredible team. This report provides an overview of some of MCHP’s key accomplishments during the past year. It highlights our team’s commitment to excellence and our successes in collaborating with government and community to co-create evidence to support a healthy and thriving society.
In Manitoba, across Canada, and around the globe, health and social services systems continue to rely on high-quality, relevant evidence to inform efforts to improve service delivery and care. MCHP continues to provide this much-needed evidence through our work with government, independent peer-reviewed research MCHP scientists produce, analytic services we provide to community organizations and the broader research community, and capacity building for population-based research and analytics within trainees, community, and the public sector.
MCHP scientists and staff secured nearly $7M in funding last year, published over 130 peer-reviewed publications in some of the field’s most preeminent journals including JAMA and CMAJ, the quality of our trainees was recognized through national and international awards including CIHR, Vanier Awards and SSHRC doctoral awards, and our deliverable reports were downloaded nearly 200,000 times from our website. Looking ahead, there are several exciting milestones on the horizon for MCHP, including the release of our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.
Our continued success as a centre would not be possible without the exceptional staff that work here. I am grateful to our team for their creative thinking, dedication to excellence, and commitment to promoting a healthy and thriving society. The achievements in this report reflect their efforts. They inspire and invigorate me daily.
Warmly,
Nathan Nickel
Director
MCHP Highlights
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133+
peer-reviewed publications
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$6.6M
in funding
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4
ongoing
government-
commissioned research
projects
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159
data users (81 MCHP users, 78 remotes access users)
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98
datasets in Manitoba Population Research Data Repository
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6
research partnerships
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7+
knowledge mobilizations events
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194,750
downloads of deliverable reports, summaries and infographics
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98
metadata data descriptions
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409
metadata concepts
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2,756
metadata glossary terms
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1.6M
repository page visits
Research
MCHP conducts two types of research using administrative data housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository: contracted research for agreed upon deliverables and grant-funded research. Our team of research scientists, data analysts, and research support staff carry out dozens of research projects each year across a range of topics related to the health and social wellbeing of Manitobans.
MCHP is growing and cultivating its expertise in the use of administrative data methodologies grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and Data Equity. Dr. Amanda Fowler-Woods joined the MCHP team of researchers this year leading a vibrant research program focused on Indigenous methodologies within health research. Dr. Tammy Taillieu joined our team of scientists leading work that is centering the voices of community within research focused on youth mental health and substance use. Their research is taking MCHP into the future and is ensuring that the work we do aligns with MCHP’s and the University of Manitoba’s organizational values. Find out more about their work below:
Dr. Tammy Taillieu
Dr. Tamara Taillieu comes from a diverse background of both lived experience and extensive research expertise.
About Tammy's research
Tammy joins us from the department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba where she previously worked as an Instructor and Research Assistant. During graduate studies, Tammy’s areas of research included family violence, intimate partner violence, child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Her PhD research explored the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and maternal and child outcomes from the prenatal period to 5-years post-delivery using the administrative databases housed at MCHP. Since completing her PhD, she has transitioned her focus to the epidemiology of mental health disorders, substance use, and addictions. Tammy was awarded grant funding totaled more than $80,000 to complete projects related to cannabis use in Manitoba. She will be exploring cannabis use among correctional workers in Canada, funded through the University of Manitoba Research Grants Program, and she was also awarded $75,000 from CIHR to explore the public health impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on children and youth in Manitoba.
Tammy’s pivot to substance use and mental health research, particularly among youth, is directly related to her personal experience. Tammy has lived experiences with addictions and has been a member of the recovery community for more than two decades. In 2018, Tammy’s niece tragically died following an accidental fentanyl poisoning; a loss that had devastating impacts on her entire family. Since this loss, Tammy has been involved in advocacy efforts aimed at preventing and reducing toxic drug poisoning deaths – deaths that are largely preventable. She has also shifted her research focus to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of problematic substances, including the integration of harm reduction policies and practices as being an essential component in the continuum of care.
Tammy is dedicated to producing research to improve the system and advocate for policy changes to better support youth struggling with mental health and substance use issues.
We are fortunate to have Tammy on our team!
Recent publications
Taillieu, T. L., Ricciardelli, R., Johnston, M. S., Carleton, R. N., & Afifi, T. O. (2024). Cannabis use among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada: Prevalence, mental health comorbidities, and risk and protective factors associated with cannabis use. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000417
Ricciardelli, R., Taillieu, T.L., McElheran, M. et al. Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada. Sci Rep 14, 14963 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65891-8
- R. Ricciardelli, R.N. Carleton, T.L. Taillieu, S. Dorniani, M.S. Johnston, M. Carbonell, R. Coulling, E. Andres, T.O. Afifi, Provincial and territorial correctional service workers: A Canadian national and jurisdictional assessment of mental health. Journal of Criminal Justice. Volume 91.2024,102168.ISSN 0047-2352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102168
- Afifi TO, Taillieu T, Salmon S, Stewart-Tufescu A, Sareen J, Enns MW, Mota N, Bolton SL, Carleton RN, Heber A, VanTil L. Child Maltreatment History, Deployment-Related Traumatic Events, and Past 12-Month Cannabis Use Among Veterans in Canada. Can J Psychiatry. 2024 Feb;69(2):116-125. doi: 10.1177/07067437231192740. Epub 2023 Aug 11. PMID: 37563976; PMCID: PMC10789231.
Dr. Amanda Fowler-Woods
Dr. Amanda Fowler-Woods joined MCHP this past Fall after completing her PhD in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
About Amanda's research
Amanda’s graduate studies research focused on the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba with racial, ethnic, and Indigenous identifier data collection at point of contact within the healthcare system. Since joining our research team, Amanda is developing a program aimed at creating and applying Indigenous knowledge and methodologies to health and health services research, including the need to broaden understanding of the administrative data housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository.
We are so pleased to welcome Amanda to our team and are looking forward to how she pushes MCHP to new innovations.
Recent publications
Wiens D, Smolik IA, MacKay D, Fowler-Woods A, Robinson DB, Barnabe C, El-Gabalawy HS, O'Neil LJ. Perceived Access to Health Care of Indigenous Peoples in Canada with Rheumatoid Arthritis and their First-Degree Relatives. J Rheumatol. 2024 Mar 1:jrheum.2023-1080. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-1080. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38428959.
Marta Whyte, Felicia Daeninck, Janice Linton, Melinda Fowler-Woods, Amanda Fowler-Woods, Geraldine Shingoose, Ashley Vergis, Wenjing He & Krista Hardy. (2024). Experiences and Outcomes of Indigenous Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: a Mixed-Method Scoping Review. Obesity Surgery, 34, 1343–1357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-024-07089-5
Courses taught
This past year, Dr. Fowler-Woods taught two graduate level courses. During the Summer 2023 term, she co-taught Indigenous People, Health and Research: Doing research in a good way. This course allowed students to explore health, healthcare, and research from an Indigenous worldview and Indigenous experiences, while integrating ceremony, land-based learning opportunities and knowledge from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and scholars. In the Winter 2024 term, Dr. Fowler-Woods taught Health and Health Services of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Elder Gramma (Gerladine) Shingoose was the Elder-Facilitator for this course. This course provided students with an introduction into the historical, structural and political contexts that effect health, as well as access to and experiences of healthcare for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada, and examined factors impacting health and illness among this population pre-and-post-contact with the Europeans. Amanda has been nominated for a teaching award by her students for this class.
Awards
Dr. Fowler-Woods has also been a recipient of several prestigious awards this year including:
CIHR Patient Oriented Research – Transition to Leadership Fellowship Phase 2
This is a funding opportunity through the SPOR Capacity Development Initiative. The goal of this award is to support the career launch of the next generation of patient-oriented researchers.
The Winnipeg Foundation Martha Donovan Women’s Leadership Development Award
The Winnipeg Foundation Martha Donovan Fund is intended to support leadership development for women in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
2024 CAME Rising Star – Certificate of Excellence (Graduate Student)
This award recognizes students who show a commitment to medical education through research, curriculum or workshop development, leadership, and/or advocacy and have made a positive impact in the health professions education community at their school.
Recent MCHP research
Education
Students are integral to MCHP and contribute to research through paper and grant writing support, project coordination and more. Our researchers are active in the University of Manitoba community and teach classes at the Max Rady College of Medicine. Drs. Marni Brownell, Malcolm Doupe, Amanda Fowler-Woods, Nathan Nickel and Marcelo Urquia all teach graduate courses in the department of Community Health Sciences. MCHP researchers also supervise master's and doctoral students, as well as post-doctoral fellows. MCHP offers two awards each year to students with an interest in population-based research who use data housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. Awards include:
Evelyn Shapiro Award for Health Services Research
Financial support of up to $5,000 awarded to students who are enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Manitoba (preferably in the Faculty of Community Health Sciences) and whose thesis research uses the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. The winners of this award in 2023 were: Md Ashiqul Haque & Deborah Balogun.
Learn more: UM Faculty of Graduate Studies - Graduate Awards Database (umanitoba.ca)
Roos Prize for Best Publication in Population Health
The Roos Prize is awarded to a recent full or part-time graduate student who published a paper incorporating research results using data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. This prize was not awarded in 2023.
Learn more: UM Faculty of Graduate Studies - Graduate Awards Database (umanitoba.ca)
Other MCHP student award recipients:
Partnerships
Health Data Research Network Canada
MCHP is a founding member of Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada) Canada, a pan-Canadian non-profit organization connecting data centres and individual partners in collaboration and knowledge sharing. MCHP staff and researchers are contributing and leading several projects within the network:
Data Access Support Hub (DASH):
MCHP staff support the DASH program offered by HDRN Canada. DASH is a data access service that connects researchers with administrative data centres across the country and facilitates access to health data held in repositories managed by HDRN Canada member organizations. DASH services are provided by a coordination team who streamline the data access process for those seeking to use data from multiple repositories.
Learn more about the DASH project
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA)
Dr. Amy Freier is leading work with MCHP and HDRN Canada to advance principals of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility and data equity methodologies within the work we do. IDEA is a set of concepts guiding actions to address systemic, historical and contemporary inequities across populations. The IDEA team at HDRN Canada, led by Dr. Freier, was established to promote IDEA-informed change on a variety of issues, including the collection, access, use and dissemination of administrative data. In 2023/2024 the team has been working on developing an IDEA Strategy that will embed IDEA throughout the network and drive data research practices and processes to be more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible. Four goals that will be worked on over the next 2 years include:
Learning and Unlearning
Facilitating IDEA in Data Research
Cultivating Trust and Reciprocity with Community Partners
Providing Leadership and Advocacy to Drive IDEA
These goals will be integrated into HDRN Canada’s strategic plan and delivered by working groups throughout the network. More information will be available Fall 2024.
Learn more about the IDEA project
SPECTRUM
SPECTRUM is a partnership between academics, community organizations and government with the goal of co-developing solutions to complex social policy challenges through research and program evaluation. Led by MCHP Senior Research Scientist Dr. Marni Brownell, SPECTRUM focuses its research around four intersecting themes: children in care, mental health and substance use, housing and homelessness, and basic income.
This year, the partnership received a Partnership Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for $2.5 million that will fund SPECTRUM through to 2031. The partnership also completed research on the Demonstration Project, which explores outcomes of children involved in Child and Family Services (CFS) in Manitoba. This population-wide study is the first of its kind in Canada to isolate the impact on children’s outcomes of being taken into care. A paper based on the findings is currently being peer-reviewed, with other knowledge mobilization products being planned with SPECTRUM partners.
Spectrum workshops:
SPECTRUM coordinates workshops throughout the year to engage with partners and exchange ideas and knowledge. Workshops took place in Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024.
SPECTRUM core team & student fellows:
Core team:
Dr. Laura Bowler, MCHP
Dr. Marni Brownell, MCHP
Elizabeth Decaire, First Nations Health & Social Secretariat of Manitoba
Dr. Jennifer Enns, MCHP
Dr. Amy Freier, MCHP
Dr. Karine Levasseur, University of Manitoba, Political Studies
Dr. Nathan Nickel, MCHP
Scott Sinclair, Government of Manitoba, Deputy Minister, Manitoba Health
Dr. Stephanie Sinclair, First Nations Health and Social Secretariate of Manitoba
Dr. Lorna Turnbull, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
Student fellows:
Sana Amjad, University of Manitoba, Community Health Sciences
Emily Brownell, University of Manitoba, Community Health Sciences
Hera Casidsid, University of Manitoba, Community Health Sciences
Delaney Coelho, University of Manitoba, Political Studies
Nyla Comeau, University of Manitoba, Social Work
Aine Dolin, University of Saskatchewan
Jess Duris, University of Manitoba, Psychology
Anita Durksen, University of Manitoba, Community Health Sciences
Soomin Han, McGill University
Mikayla Hunter, Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
Stephaney Patrick, University of Manitoba, Peace and Conflict Studies
Jamie Pfau, University of Manitoba, Community Health Sciences
SPECTRUM partners:
Community:
Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre
Autism Alliance of Canada
Boys & Girls Clubs of Winnipeg
First Nations Family Advocate Office
First Nations Health and Social Secretariate of Manitoba
Harvest Manitoba
Island Lake Anishiniew Okimawin
Leading 4 Impact
Manitoba Métis Federation
Onashowewin Justice Circle
Peguis First Nation
Public Interest Law Centre
United Way Winnipeg
Winnipeg Chambers of Commerce
Government departments:
Economic Development, Investment, Trade & Natural Resources
Education and Early Childhood Learning
Families
Finance
Health, Seniors & Long-Term Care
Indigenous Reconciliation
Justice
Housing, Addictions & Homelessness
Municipal & Northern Relations and Indigenous Economic Development
Learn more about SPECTRUM Manitoba (spectrum-mb.ca)
Providing access to data
The Manitoba Population Research Data Repository is a rich source of population-based administrative data from Manitobans’ interactions with health and social services. Linkable at the individual level and over time, these data contain a range of information on the health and wellbeing of Manitobans across multiple sectors including health, justice, education and more. Currently, the Repository holds 98 datasets: 62 from Health, 22 from Social, 8 from Education, 3 from Justice and 6 Registries. Between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, several new datasets were added to the Repository:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Rehabilitation Centre for Children
Provides a record of clients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, including demographics and date of diagnoses, who have received services from Rehabilitation Centre for Children over time.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) - Rehabilitation Centre for Children
Provides a record of clients with cerebral palsy who have received services from Rehabilitation Centre for Children over time. Also includes demographics information, a Gross Motor Function Classification System score, and client’s feeding method.
Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation (CIMD)
The purpose of Canadian Index of Mutiple Deprivation data is to describe differences in deprivation between areas to better understand inequalities in socio-economic characteristics for geographical areas or population groups. These data provide an area-based index derived from 2016 Census of Population microdata to measure several key dimensions of deprivation and marginalization at the dissemination area (DA) level. These dimensions include residential instability, situational vulnerability, economic dependency and ethno-cultural composition. In addition to the national index, information has been created at the provincial and regional levels.
Knowledge translation
The Knowledge Translation team ensures MCHP research reaches the right people at the right time to maximize the impact of our work. Our qualified team of knowledge brokers, a graphic designer, event planner and a technical writer assist researchers, staff and partners in knowledge translation planning and strategy, and the creation of knowledge mobilization products to target audiences who need to know about our research the most. This year, some of our team members attended a knowledge translation certification program in Toronto, and the whole team has taken training in making communication materials accessible for all, as a commitment to continued learning and professional development.
Knowledge Translation team responsibilities
Social media content creation
Social media monitoring
Event planning
Website management
Internal communication materials
Graphic design
Knowledge translation planning and strategy for deliverable and peer-reviewed research
KT planning support for grant applications
Acting as liaison with the Rady Marketing and Communications Office
Creation of knowledge mobilization products including primers, infographics, lay summaries
MCHP social media highlights
775 posts across all MCHP platforms
1,085 new followers across all MCHP platforms
135,010 post impressions across all MCHP platforms
32,316 users reached posts across all MCHP platforms
Creation of MCHP LinkedIn profile
180 posts on LinkedIn
1,515 post clicks on LinkedIn
20,238 connections on LinkedIn
Evidence to Action day 2023
People
We are fortunate to have a team of highly skilled faculty and staff including research scientists and associates, data analysts and managers, research support, knowledge translation, finance, and IT. Below is a list of all those who worked with us at any point between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
Directors
Nathan Nickel – Director; Associate professor; Senior research scientist
Marni Brownell – Associate director, research; Professor; Senior research scientist
Charles Burchill – Associate director, repository, data access and use
Selena Randall – Associate director, planning and development
Researchers
Malcolm Doupe – Associate professor; Senior research scientist
Amanda Fowler-Woods – Assistant professor; Research scientist
Alan Katz – Professor; Senior research scientist
Lisa Lix – Professor; Senior research scientist
Leslie Roos – Founding director; Senior research scientist
Noralou Roos – Founding director; Professor emerita
Tamara Taillieu – Assistant professor; Research scientist
Marcelo Urquia – Associate professor; Senior research scientist
Chelsea Ruth – Assistant professor; Research scientist
Research associates and postdoctoral fellows
Jennifer Enns – Research associate
Amy Freier – Research associate
Jill Hnatiuk – Lead research associate
Kathleen Kenny – Postdoctoral fellow
Data managers and data analysts
Wendy Au – Data analyst
Matt Dahl – Data analyst
Roxanna Dragan – Data analyst
Shelley Derksen – Information technologist
Gilles Detillieux – Data analyst
Oke Ekuma – Data analyst; Statistical consultant
Isuru Dharmasena – Data analyst
Abhishek Dhankar – Natural language specialist
Lisa Flaten – Data analyst
Kevin Friesen – Data analyst
Say Hong – Data management analyst
Kun Liu – Data analyst
Scott McCulloch – Data analyst
Heather Prior – Lead data analyst
Michael Reimer - Metadata dictionary developer
Sathi Saha – Data management analyst
Joykrishna Sarkar – Data analyst
Monica Sirski – Data analyst
Qier (Angela) Tan - Data Analyst
Carole Taylor – Data analyst
Dave Towns – Senior data management analyst
Ken Turner – Repository data analyst
Randy Walld – Data analyst
Marina Yogendran – Data analyst
Research support
Amber Arnold – Repository access and administrative assistant
Eileen Boriskewich – Project Manager and outreach officer “Get your Benefits”
Umer Bin Faiz – Research and repository access support
John-Michael Bowes – Repository access and administrative assistant
Laura Bowler – Data equity specialist
Susan Burchill – Repository access and administrative support coordinator
Lindsey Dahl – Research project coordinator
Theresa Daniuk – Repository project coordinator
Audrey Du – Research support
Hudson Du – Research support dog
Kara Dyck – Repository access coordinator; Executive assistant; Office manager
Diane Gordon Pappas – Research program manager
Aaron Goss – Knowledge broker
Ashley Green – Event planner
Cara Jonasson – Graphic designer
Emily Jones – Repository access coordinator
Ina Koseva – Lead research project coordinator
Chelsey McDougall – Research project manager
Hannah Owczar – Technical writer
Danielle Saj – Research project coordinator
Basirat Shittu – Research coordinator
Ruth-Ann Soodeen – Lead research coordinator
Finance and information technology
Nellie Bodnar – HR-Finance office assistant
Sophie Buternowsky – Senior grants accountant
Ying-Jiun Chen (Jeannie) - Grant accountant
Darrin Halabuza – Information technology support
Rod McRae – Information technology manager
Princess Santarin - Finance assistant
Jo-Anna Wichenko - Finance assistant
Advisory board members
Dr. Brian Postl, Professor Emeritus, Dean Emeritus, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Dr. Nathan Nickel, Director, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
Mr. Scott Sinclair, Deputy Minister, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
Dr. Michelle Driedger, Head, Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Dr. Sharon Bruce, Head, Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Dr. Peter Nickerson, Dean and Vice-Provost, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Drs. Noralou Roos and Leslie Roos, Founding Directors
Ms. Dana Rudy, Deputy Minister, Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources
Ms. Ainsley Krone, Deputy Minister, Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations
Ms. Jan Forster, Deputy Minister, Advanced Education and Training
Ms. Michelle Dubik, Deputy Minister, Families
Mr. Silvester Komlodi, Deputy Minister, Finance
Mr. Brian O’Leary, Deputy Minister, Education and Early Childhood Learning
Dr. Michael Schull, President and CEO, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President, Research and International
Ms. Carly Leggett, Interim Executive Director, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation
Dr. Kimberlyn McGrail, Scientific Director, Health Data Research Network Canada
Dr. Marcia Anderson, Vice-Dean Indigenous Health, Social Justice and Anti-Racism
Dr. Ruth Gilbert, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Population, Policy and Practice, University College London
Dr. Terry Klassen, Academic Director, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation
Phil Jarman, Executive Director and Chief Data Officer, Information Management & Analytics, Manitoba Health
Dr. Selena Randall, Associate Director, Planning and Development, MCHP
Dr. Amy Freier
Charles Burchill, Associate Director, Repository, MCHP
Dr. Marni Brownell, Associate Director of Research, MCHP
Kara Dyck, Executive Assistant
MCHP funding sources
-
$3,078,183.13
Additional Funds
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$165,061.23
Endowed Gifts
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$3,057,637.31
Province of MB
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$328,440.00
Tri-Council
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Grand Total: $6,664,321.67
for 2023-2024
Contact us
Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences,
Room 408-727 McDermot Ave.
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5 Canada