3rd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 32

THE IMPROVING ACCESS TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING ACT

(Assented to                                         )

WHEREAS the early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of survival for affected individuals and reduces the likelihood of more invasive treatment;

AND WHEREAS improving access to breast cancer screening for individuals who have an increased risk of developing breast cancer will strengthen early detection;

AND WHEREAS breast cancer screening must be based on clinical guidance to provide equitable, consistent and evidence-based screening that aligns with best practices in Canada;

AND WHEREAS prioritizing the expansion of screening for underserved populations, including those who are Black or Indigenous or people of colour and other communities identified by demographic or geographic factors as facing barriers to access, and ensuring inclusive eligibility for all Manitobans will further strengthen early detection and promote equitable cancer care;

THEREFORE HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1   The following definitions apply in this Act.

"access plan" means the plan for increasing access to breast cancer screening developed under section 3. (« plan d'accès »)

"cancer authority" means the cancer authority as defined in The Health System Governance and Accountability Act. (« office des soins contre le cancer »)

"minister" means the minister appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to administer this Act. (« ministre »)

"provincial health authority" means the provincial health authority as defined in The Health System Governance and Accountability Act. (« office provincial de la santé »)

"screening plan" means the plan to screen for increased risk of breast cancer developed under section 2. (« plan de dépistage »)

Screening plan

2(1)   The cancer authority must develop a plan to screen for increased risk of breast cancer within six months after the coming into force of this Act and update the plan every fifth fiscal year after that.

Plan requirements

2(2)   The screening plan must include the following:

(a) criteria for determining whether an individual has an increased risk of developing breast cancer and may be eligible for earlier or more intensive screening in accordance with clinical guidelines;

(b) the time and manner in which clinical guidelines will be reviewed to determine whether updates to the eligibility criteria described in clause (a) are required;

(c) any other information required by the regulations.

Access plan

3(1)   The cancer authority must develop a plan for increasing access to breast cancer screening in the province within six months after the coming into force of this Act and update the plan every fifth fiscal year after that.

Plan requirements

3(2)   The access plan must include plans for the following:

(a) increasing access to mammography services for people who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour and other communities that may have limited access to those services, including by identifying and prioritizing those communities based on demographics or geography;

(b) identifying any barriers to accessing mammography services in the province for people who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour and other communities that may have barriers to accessing those services and proposing methods to mitigate those barriers;

(c) establishing any priorities for breast cancer awareness and education, including priorities for communities with screening rates below participation targets based on demographics or geography;

(d) setting annual targets for screening participation rates.

The access plan must include any other plan or information required by the regulations.

Review by minister

4(1)   The cancer authority must provide a copy of the screening plan and the access plan to the minister upon request.

Changes to plans

4(2)   The minister may request changes to the plans and the cancer authority must implement the changes as soon as practicable.

Continuous education

5   The cancer authority must continually provide the public with breast cancer awareness and education and, in doing so, consider any priorities set out in the access plan.

Annual reports

6(1)   Within 180 days after the end of the 2027 fiscal year and each fiscal year after that, the cancer authority and the provincial health authority must make a joint report to the minister on their activities during that fiscal year. The report must include

(a) the total number of mammograms and referrals completed;

(b) the number of mammograms and referrals completed by

(i) location, including mobile screening, and

(ii) the age of each individual who was screened;

(c) the screening participation rates reached; and

(d) any other information required by the minister or the regulations.

Tabling report in Assembly

6(2)   The minister must table a copy of the report in the Assembly on any of the first 15 days on which the Assembly is sitting after the minister receives it.

Regulations

7   The minister may make regulations

(a) respecting the screening plan and the access plan, including their contents;

(b) prescribing information to be included in the annual reports under clause 6(1)(d);

(c) defining any word or phrase used but not defined in this Act;

(d) respecting any matter the minister considers necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of this Act.

C.C.S.M. reference

8   This Act may be referred to as chapter B90.1 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

9   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.