Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc Emphasizes Healthcare Issues In Throne Speech
HALIFAX – Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc spent more than 30 minutes giving his throne speech on Tuesday, to mark the opening of the fall sitting of the N.S. Legislature. He spent a bulk of that time talking about the need to fix the province’s broken healthcare system, and the government’s promises to fix it.
“When we are honest about where we are today, and if we commit to working together, we can overcome challenges and ensure that Nova Scotians have access to timely primary care, paramedics are supported, and 911 response times are improved,” said LeBlanc, calling healthcare improvements the top priority of the new PC government.
“We have all heard stories from friends and neighbours of the tragedies they have faced. Some of us have our own stories of navigating the system. Now is the time to focus on this crisis.”
The Lt. Governor said the first step in fixing the system is asking for feedback from the frontline workers.
“It starts with engaging those within the system. No one understands the issues preventing and delaying access than those working on the frontlines every day,” said LeBlanc.
“To date, not only have they identified areas of concern and improvement, but they are bringing forward common-sense solutions.”
Some of the specific healthcare initiatives LeBlanc mentioned included incentives for health workers to move to and remain in Nova Scotia, telehealth for people on the waiting list for a doctor and doing patient transfers differently to free up ambulances.
LeBlanc also mentioned that a new office has opened that is dedicated to recruiting and retaining healthcare workers. He said the office has already helped in obtaining three specialists, including one psychiatrist, to Cape Breton.
“We will do everything possible to make sure Nova Scotia’s known as a welcoming place for healthcare professionals,” he said. “This means improving working conditions and removing barriers and streamlining the system.”
Even though it wasn’t strictly an economic issue, like tax or regulatory reform, a survey of Halifax business owners showed it was their top priority in the August provincial election.
RELATED: N.S. Business Owners Most Concerned About Healthcare, Says CFIB Survey
LeBlanc also spent a fair amount of time decrying the sad state of mental healthcare in Nova Scotia. He said the province, essentially, has a two-tier system where those who have private insurance have access, and those relying on the public system can’t access it, or face a long waitlist.
The Lt. Governor said mental health issues need to start being treated “with the same urgency,” as physical ones.
“We will do whatever we can to end the days of individuals sitting silently in pain, struggling because they can’t afford the help,” said LeBlanc.
“Access to mental healthcare is a right, not a privilege.”
One of the major PC pledges for better mental health care was repeated by LeBlanc: there will soon be a separate ministerial portfolio for mental health and addictions.
The throne speech also touched on a couple of economic promises being made by Tim Houston’s government. One such promise includes giving corporations the option to forgo corporate taxes if they give the same amount of money to their employees instead.
“Our government will position Nova Scotia to compete with other provinces and countries and invest in ourselves by putting more money in employees’ pockets,” said LeBlanc.
“Our government will give employers a choice: leave the money they paid as corporate taxes in the hands of the government or ask for it back on the condition they distribute those same dollars to their team.”
“This isn’t a plan for the rich, this is a plan for the middle class and those struggling to join it.”
One of the more unique, and targeted, programs is a tax rebate for trade workers under the age of 30. The province will allow these workers to pay no taxes on their first $50,000 of income. Leblanc said this measure is necessary to prevent more young workers
A lot of people were surprised by what was missing from the throne speech. Leblanc said little about the current housing and rental situation in Nova Scotia, outside of one line that acknowledged the situation.
“There is a housing crisis in Nova Scotia,” he said. “We have a plan to address this crisis and attracting and training more tradespeople is critical to its success.”
NDP leader Gary Burrill took to Twitter to vent his frustrations over the lack of spotlight the housing situation received today.
“It is startlingly disappointing to see virtually no mention of housing, and zero policy initiatives to address the housing crisis, in today’s Throne Speech. The existing rent control provisions expire in February and thousands of people will face major rent increases,” Burrill tweeted.
“There are actions that could be taken immediately to address the housing crisis, and we invite Mr. Houston and the Conservatives to work with the NSNDP when we bring bills forward to the House later this week.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].
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