WINNIPEG — Some Manitoba parents whose children have type 1 diabetes are asking the provincial government to help their children in school.
In some provinces, such as Nova Scotia and British Columbia, young children receive assistance from trained school staff – often teaching assistants – in using insulin pumps during the school day.
That's not the case in Manitoba, and parent Stephanie Biegun says she had to drive 40 minutes each way to her son's school during lunch to complete the assignment.
Biegun says she ended up quitting her job, meaning she lost her income and her workplace health insurance.
Opposition Progressive Conservative health critic Kathleen Cook says the government's policy change would not be expensive and would make a big difference in parents' lives.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the NDP government is looking into the issue and has hinted changes could be coming.
“We want to make sure that all children have the opportunity to go to school, thrive and focus on school work,” Asagwara said Tuesday.
“We also recognize that this is not something that we as a government can just hand down. We have to do this work with our partners… educators, school division leaders to make sure they fully understand what their responsibilities are and that they have the full support of the government behind them.”
Insulin pumps are small, wearable devices that deliver a constant amount of insulin and are an alternative to injections. They often have to be adjusted while eating, a task that can take several minutes.
Biegun said she hopes the government will change the situation soon.
“I think our kids deserve better. We deserve better,” she said.
“I think it’s wrong to quit my job to take care of my son’s health at school.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025.
