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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.