Government documents show hospital cafeterias in Manitoba are losing millions, said the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Between 2010 and 2012, the combined amount of cafeteria losses reached $4.5 million, said the group.
Carole Kowalson said her husband has been a patient at Health Sciences Centre for a number of weeks. She’s had a lot of meals at HSC’s cafeteria during that time.
"A lot of the sandwiches are bland. There is nothing in them, really, just egg salad and no flavor,” she said.
The operations of hospital cafeterias across the province are now facing scrutiny.
Colin Craig of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation believes high government wages are likely the culprit for the financial operation losses.
He said the province should look at what Victoria Hospital has done. It was previously hemorrhaging money but now Craig says it has turned a small profit because it was privatized.
"One thing we think is that the government should go out and test the water and see if they can find more partnerships like they did at Victoria (Hospital) to save the taxpayer money,” said Craig.
Manitoba’s health minister said her department is analyzing the private model.
Theresa Oswald said her department is open to the idea of private businesses running some hospital cafeterias, but she said also offered that current government-run cafeterias keep prices low and offer food around the clock. Oswald said it’s all about striking a delicate balance.
"For families who are perhaps rushing to a hospital to see a loved one who is in dire straits perhaps they don't think about getting a meal on the way to doing that,” said Oswald.
Carole Kowalson isn’t happy the cafeterias are losing so much money, but she’s also unsure whether privatizing them is the answer.
“That’s not a bad idea but where does the profit go - is it going to help the hospital or is it helping something else?” she asked regarding the privatizing idea.
Oswald said the current cafeteria losses do get covered. Hospitals are expected to use revenues from things like parking and gift shops to cover any cafeteria deficits.
CTV News asked the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority why other cafeterias are unable to turn a profit, if the Victoria Hospital can do so.
The WRHA said there’s no clear answer. An official at the WRHA said it could simply be due to added competition, with people venturing outside hospitals to grab meals.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
