Cancer surgeries already cancelled, hospital beds closed

HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says the NDP government has only hours to prevent a disastrous strike that has already started to shut down the healthcare system in anticipation of 3,600 healthcare workers walking off the job.

“Someone has to make sure the hospitals stay open and that is the job of the Premier,” said Baillie. “That takes back-to-work legislation and if this Premier really believes that our healthcare system must keep working, that legislation should be ready to go at the House of Assembly today.”

Baillie says the NDP’s refusal to announce any intention to legislate an end to a potential strike is hurting people who are counting on the healthcare system for their lives.

Mack Fiander of Boutiliers Point says his wife was informed yesterday that her colorectal cancer operation was cancelled.

“My wife having cancer is a very stressful time in her and our families lives. Now that her operation has been cancelled we are devastated,” said Fiander.  

Fiander wrote to the Premier, urging him to use legislation to avoid a strike.

“Cancer doesn't wait for anybody and to have Nova Scotians go through this is totally unacceptable and immoral,” he wrote.
 
“We all want and hope for the collective bargaining process to come to a negotiated conclusion,” said Baillie. “Premier Darrell Dexter is simply wishing and hoping this will work out and refusing to take any steps to ensure the healthcare system will keep working past midnight tonight.”

“The legislature is in session right now. The Premier should tell all sides that he will have legislation ready to keep our hospitals open,” continued Baillie. “That has the effect of sharpening the pencils on both sides of the bargaining table.”

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