Nova Scotia Tories promise to boost long-term care staffing levels if elected
As Nova Scotia's election campaign moved into its third week, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston continued to push his party's plan to improve a health system he says is overstressed.
It's been a recurring theme for Houston, who on Monday talked about increasing support for those working in long-term care.
"If government is going to truly commit to fixing health care, we must ensure that the people who work in health care are supported," Houston told reporters in Halifax. "It means hiring enough staff to get the job done."
Houston said health professionals such as nurses and continuing-care assistants are hindered by staff shortages, and he again promised to hire an additional 600 nurses and 1,400 continuing-care assistants if his party is elected Aug. 17. That's the level of staffing needed, he said, in order to provide 4.1 hours of care per day for each long-term care resident as recommended by the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union.
Houston said that to assist with staff recruitment, the Tories would also reinstate a continuing-care assistant training grant that was discontinued by the Liberals in 2013. At a cost of $4.5 million, the grant would fund 50 per cent of tuition costs in exchange for a two-year commitment from trainees to stay and work in the province.
The Tories released their election platform during the first week of the month-long campaign, budgeting $430 million in new spending for the health-care sector, including a pension plan for doctors, the extension of operating room hours and 2,500 more long-term care beds.
That plan has been criticized by Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, who accused the Tories of promising to overspend at a time when the province is trying to emerge economically from the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston, however, said his spending strategy will help with recruiting efforts during a time when most jurisdictions in Canada are experiencing a high demand for trained health professionals.
"We know these investments are necessary and we know that sending a signal to health-care professionals that we are serious about it will move the needle right away on recruiting," he said.
Rankin and NDP Leader Gary Burrill hit the hustings in the southwestern part of the province on Monday. Both leaders scheduled stops in the Yarmouth riding, while Rankin was also to tour the newly created Acadian ridings of Argyle and Clare. After a stop in Shelburne, N.S., Burrill was to move up the South Shore with visits to the ridings of Queens and Chester-St. Margaret's.
Over the weekend, the Liberals released a skills-training platform, the bulk of which is estimated to cost nearly $78 million over four years and would assist the Nova Scotia Community College train people for jobs in the construction trades, the environmental sector and in health care.
The NDP meanwhile, highlighted its pledge to legislate 10 paid sick days for Nova Scotia workers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'