Premier tells party at AGM fixing health care in N.S. an ‘urgent’ priority – Halifax | 24CA News
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston addressed attendees on the Progressive Conservative AGM on Saturday, saying he feels urgency to get issues carried out.
“Nova Scotians elected us to get things done… I hope you’re proud of the effort, because I hope you see that we’re rolling up our sleeves and we are going to work on the big issues.”
Much of his speech targeted on the health-care disaster within the province, acknowledging there’s loads of work to do.
“None of this happened overnight and it will not be fixed overnight. But, I want you to mark my words. I may have inherited a broken system, but I will do everything in my power to fix it.”
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This speech comes after a month of scrutiny following the current deaths of two girls in emergency rooms.
Allison Holthoff, 37, died after a seven-hour wait on the Cumberland Regional Health Centre emergency division in Amherst on Dec. 31, 2022. Just a day prior, 67-year-old Charlene Snow waited for seven hours on the Cape Breton Regional Hospital emergency division earlier than giving up and going dwelling, the place she died shortly after.
In his State of the Province Address in Sydney final week, Houston mentioned officers are dedicated to making sure these tales aren’t repeated once more.
In that speech, Houston additionally confirmed the province shall be getting its second medical college, in partnership with Cape Breton University.
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At Saturday’s AGM, held on the Halifax Marriot Harbourfront Hotel, Houston echoed the health-care system was not constructed for current inhabitants development within the province.
He additionally acknowledged that progress in fixing health-care must be quicker and that the stakes are excessive.
“As for the cost, whatever it takes,” Houston mentioned Saturday. “We have to invest in our health-care system. Healthy people drive healthy economies. We have to make those investments.”
Houston is scheduled to fulfill with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the opposite premiers to debate health-care funding on Tuesday.
‘Forced to accept’ N.S. Power fee improve: Houston
The premier didn’t point out the current resolution by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to permit Nova Scotia Power to boost its rated by 14 per cent over the following two years.
Houston mentioned final November that his authorities opposed the rise of 6.9 per cent in each 2023 and 2024, which had been agreed to by Nova Scotia Power and most buyer consultant teams.
However, NSUARB mentioned Thursday it’s going to follow most components of the settlement, that means the typical residential buyer goes to see their subsequent month-to-month energy invoice rise about $12, and there shall be additional fee hikes in January 2024.
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In a media scrum after Saturday’s AGM, Houston mentioned he was stunned the utility regulator thumbed their nostril at Nova Scotians the best way it did.
“We made our position very clear, we were pretty vocal on what we thought would be appropriate and fair,” Houston mentioned.
“But, you know, they made a different decision. We respect their authority to make that decision and we’re forced to accept it.”
— With recordsdata from The Canadian Press.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
