Manitobans get a say on design of new health cards

The plastic health cards Manitobans can slip into their wallets beginning next year will feature an image of a bison, a polar bear or the northern lights.

Premier Wab Kinew is asking Manitobans to vote on their favourite of the three health card designs by commenting on his Instagram post or answering a poll.

Voting continues until Sunday at midnight, and the winning design will be announced shortly after.

The province is on the verge of tearing up its paper health cards in favour of digital and plastic versions as soon as next year.

Manitoba and Alberta are the last among Canada's provinces and territories to still use paper health cards.

In a news release earlier this year, Kinew said people's health coverage in 2024 "shouldn't rely on a torn, ripped-up health card."

Quintessential Manitoba designs

It's an opinion some of the people enjoying a warm September afternoon at The Forks shared.

"It's tattered and worn," said Aaron Burnett of his health card, while locking up his bike. "It's not in great shape."

He considers the card with the polar bear design to be representative of the province.

"It's Churchill. It's Manitoba. It's such a Manitoba iconic symbol," Burnett said.

Caroline Stevenson also preferred the polar bear option because "it's a major part of Manitoba," while her friend, Joan Gauvin, who now lives in Prince Edward Island, opted for the northern lights design.

The picture reminded her of growing up on the Prairies.

"I remember living in southern Manitoba, standing up on top of the hill and looking at the northern lights. They were very much present," she said.

Nico Bahati would take the polar bear design if given the choice, but he'd probably be fine with any drawing at this point. He lost his paper health card, along with his wallet, a couple months ago.

"Hopefully I don't lose this one," he said.