Wab Kinew extends drug coverage for man battling degenerative disease

Ian Froese · CBC News

· Posted: Nov 25, 2025 3:42 PM EST | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is reversing its decision and will ensure a 30-year-old battling a degenerative disease will keep receiving his life-sustaining treatment for at least another year.

Kinew said Tuesday he was "very moved" by news reports Monday night showing Jeremy Bray's impassioned plea for continued coverage, once he realized he hadn't swayed the health minister following a meeting earlier in the day.

Bray has Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that gradually robs him of the ability to move his muscles. He can currently move his mouth, parts of his face, one thumb — and that’s about it.

He's spent the last six months on a pricey drug that he says has slowed the disease's progression, but the drug's manufacturer said it would end his free coverage shortly. The province showed no willingness to cover the treatment, estimated at $300,000 for the first year.

"We have some positive news to share with you and your family here today," Kinew said in question period at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday afternoon, speaking directly to Bray.

"I'm happy to share with the House and all Manitobans that you are going to get this coverage, probably for another year, as we push to make sure the federal regulator does its job to gather the evidence," he said.

"In your public commentary … you said that you loved Manitoba," Kinew said.

"I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the province, to say Manitoba loves you, and so long as we're around, you are going to get the health care that you need."

'Feeling a lot better than I was 24 hours ago'

Bray said he was taken aback by the province's change of course.

The day before, a tearful Bray was dejected after leaving Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara's office.

"I'm feeling a lot better than I was 24 hours ago," he said Tuesday. "Hopeful."

WATCH | Province commits to at least one year of treatment:

After the premier's comments in the legislature, Bray said he received a flurry of messages, including a phone call from the health minister's office.

"As soon as I said, 'I think this might be good news,' my mom burst into tears. We're all very happy."

Asagwara told reporters details around funding for the treatment still need to be sorted out, but the province is talking with Roche, the drug's manufacturer, about an arrangement.

During question period, Kinew said he'd appreciate if the company would continue donating the medication on compassionate grounds, "but in the interim, we're willing to work with them in finding a path forward."

Manitoba has been reluctant to pay for the drug, called risdiplam and sold under the brand name Evrysdi, because Canada's Drug Agency doesn't recommend the treatment for adults over the age of 25.

The agency has argued there isn't enough evidence because people in that age bracket haven't participated in clinical tests.

Jeremy Bray, centre, alongside his friends Ryan and Hayley Lamb. He was the best man at their wedding in 2021. (Submitted by Jeremy Bray)

Earlier this year, the NDP government responded to Bray's pleas, which began in 2022 under the former Progressive Conservative government, by persuading Roche to extend free coverage of the medication.

The province also requested the federal drug agency undertake an urgent review, but that assessment reached the same conclusion.

Bray has been on the drug for more than six months, with positive results.

He reports his voice getting stronger and his facial movements becoming more expressive, and says he can now work full days as a data consultant before needing rest.

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan said he won't celebrate the government's change of heart until a deal with the province and drug manufacturer is reached.

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan wants the province to commit to ensuring Bray receives funding for this treatment for the rest of his life. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)

A day earlier, the Official Opposition leader slammed the NDP government for inviting Bray into the legislature, giving him the hope the government would change its decision, and then denying him.

"It took a grown man to cry on TV for this premier to finally signal that he's doing something, or he's going to do something," Khan said Tuesday.

"It's appalling. It's shameful."

He then again called on the province to commit to paying for the drug for the rest of Bray's life.

Bray, 30, has said he wanted to remain on the treatment for a full year, which is when he would be assessed by medical professionals to determine if he should remain on the drug.

"I just want to be able to have a chance to show that it is working for me," he said.

"If this funding goes through, I'll have that opportunity."