Mount Carmel Clinic—Policy Project

Mount Carmel Clinic (MCC), Canada’s first community health centre established in 1926 in Winnipeg’s North End, recognized the need to modernize and decolonize its internal policies to better align with its mission, values, and growing operational needs. With increasing demands on staff, shifting community health priorities, and a need for stronger internal consistency, MCC required a comprehensive review and development of its policy framework.

We partnered with MCC to conduct a full-scale policy review and development process. We started in ceremony with MCCs Elders in Residence to establish guiding principles for the work while also inviting support from the ancestors into the process. We then examined existing policies, identified key gaps, and designed new frameworks to strengthen equity, safety, and accountability across the organization. The work included creating accessible policy templates, embedding equity and values-based approaches, and supporting staff and leadership in understanding their roles in applying policy consistently.

Impact:

This project laid the foundation for a more sustainable, values-driven governance framework at MCC. By modernizing policies and embedding equity at every stage, the organization strengthened internal clarity, improved staff confidence in policy use, and ensured greater alignment between operations and mission. The result is a stronger organizational infrastructure that will support MCC’s ability to serve its community for years to come.