The six leaders of New Brunswick’s political parties took part in a wide ranging debate Friday night broadcast on Rogers TV.
Healthcare was a major topic, and NDP leader Jennifer McKenzie emphasized preventative care, to reduce people’s need to use more expensive options like emergency rooms, and hospitals.
“So we have things like returning Extra Mural under the public sphere, and Tele-Care,” says McKenzie. “A really good, strong home care program planned, we are hiring 100 new nurse practitioners to help on the front lines, we have community based care in community centres.”
Green Party leader David Coon says Ottawa is not treating New Brunswick equitably for healthcare costs, so he’d reopen the case with other Atlantic Premiers if elected to get the help New Brunswick needs considering it’s unique situation.
Liberal leader Brian Gallant believes New Brunswickers should be able to get healthcare they need and deserve in a timely fashion.
“We will aggressively recruit higher, and retain more doctors, 90 net gain is the goal, we will hire 40 more nurses, we will hire 50 more nurse practitioners, and we will hire 80 more LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses),” says Gallant.
However, People’s Alliance leader Kris Austin hammered away at the cost of duality in healthcare, claiming it costs between $40 – $60 million annually.
He also criticized Gallant’s plan for building more nursing homes, saying there was no point to that if you didn’t have the staff to run them.
KISS NB leader Gerald Bourque believes a large amount of money is being wasted in the healthcare system, adding if there’s a will to improve, a way will be found.
“Looking after the folks in their own home, that’s where most of them want to stay, we should work on a program where that can be done,” says Bourque. “I helped look after my mother until she was over 100 years old, and she passed away in her own home.”
PC leader Blaine Higgs talked about getting rid of billing numbers for doctors, adding the system doesn’t need more money, it needs to spend the existing money more efficiently.
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(Photo Credit: Screengrab from Rogers TV Broadcast.)
