Manitobans can now apply for modernized plastic health card

Manitobans can request a modernized plastic health card online to replace their existing paper cards, the province's health minister says. 

The provincial government is working to move the health card system into the modern era, Uzoma Asagwara said in a Wednesday news release.

Premier Wab Kinew previously said people would be able to apply for the new cards in December, but that was pushed back in part by the strike by postal workers, he said.

Paper cards will continue to be accepted at health-care facilities, Asagwara said. People applying for the new card — which features an image of the northern lights, and won a design contest over images of a polar bear or bison — can expect to receive it in the coming months.

Receiving a new health card may take time because many people will be trying to apply at once, Wednesday's news release said.

A digital health card will also be available soon.

Children and youth who have been listed on a family card will now receive their own card, a change that aligns with jurisdictions across Canada, the province said.

A provincial spokesperson said in an email statement to CBC the government decided to ask Manitobans to apply for the card rather than simply mailing them to everybody because many people will have old addresses on their file.

As well, the application requires that people indicate whether English or French is their official language preference, the spokesperson said.

Anyone applying for their first health card will automatically receive a plastic card, the spokesperson said, adding there are mail-in and in-person options for those without internet access

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