Health care top priority in throne speech
Nova Scotia Legislature. Photo Communications Nova Scotia
The newly elected PC government laid out their priorities for Nova Scotia as the fall sitting of the legislature opened with the speech from the throne Tuesday.
Topping the list is improving the province’s ailing healthcare system.
Premier Tim Houston and his team will be working to fulfill the promises he made while campaigning to get more access to family doctors and reduce wait times to see health professionals.
In his speech, Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc says government will listen to the needs and advice from healthcare workers.
“Doctors, nurses, paramedics, CCAs and everyone delivering healthcare has an important voice that is respected and valued,” said LeBlanc. “They will help guide us forward.”
The speech from the throne identified several areas of improvement in the healthcare system including: attracting and retaining more healthcare professionals, improving access to primary and mental healthcare, supporting seniors in their homes and in long-term care and tackling wait times.
The new PC government promised more accountability and is starting down that road by establishing fixed election dates in the Nova Scotia.
The province is the last one in Canada to do so.
“Election dates will be set immediately so that every Nova Scotian knows the timeline upon which they will be able to exercise the ultimate right of holding this government and every subsequent government to account. This session will see the creation of fixed election dates in Nova Scotia,” said LeBlanc.
The speech also outlined plans for tax breaks to incentivize young trades people to remain in the province and giving employers the chance to increase workers wages instead of paying that money in tax to government.
The 64th General Assembly will begin working on those priorities when session resumes Wednesday.
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