Nova Scotia premier revives campaign promise to fix health care at party AGM
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is reassuring his party faithful that he still intends to fix the province's health-care system at whatever cost it takes.
During his keynote address at the Progressive Conservative Annual General Meeting, Houston said Saturday he will make whatever financial investment is needed to turn the health crisis around.
The premier -- who campaigned on fixing Nova Scotia's struggling health care system before his August 2021 win -- says a lot of work is needed, "progress is too slow, and the stakes are very high."
Houston says his heart goes out to the families of a 67-year-old woman in Cape Breton and a 37-year-old woman in Amherst who died days apart in December after waiting for hours in regional emergency departments.
Houston's government announced a plan to improve emergency care following the two deaths, which included creating doctor-led triage teams to focus on admitting patients more quickly in ERs and assigning extra physician assistants and nurse practitioners to staff emergency departments.
Houston touted recent efforts to tackle the issue, which include adding more nursing student seats, creating mobile urgent and primary care clinics and signing an agreement for the creation of a digital medical record program.
He says the province is currently spending 41 cents of every dollar on health care, and he will spend "whatever it takes" to make the necessary change.
"Last month, I pulled healthcare leaders from across the province together, in person, to look one another in the eye," Houston said during his speech. "My message to them was direct: We need more. And we need to go faster. As for the cost, whatever it takes."
In order to improve the provincial system, he added, Nova Scotia needs increased support from the federal government.
The premier said such support could come in the form of financial contributions and by fast-tracking immigration for health care workers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2023.
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.