St, John’s, N.L. (November 5, 2024) – On the second day of the fall sitting in the House of Assembly, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, doubled down on Premier Andrew Furey and the Liberal government over their regressive plan to convert more private long-term care rooms into shared rooms at the new long-term care facility in Corner Brook.

This policy reversal comes just a day after Wakeham and the PC Caucus challenged the Furey government on the state of Newfoundland and Labrador's healthcare system, including their heartless policy of doubling up residents at the long-term care facility in Corner Brook.

Following questions from Wakeham today, the government backtracked on its decision to convert additional single long-term care rooms to double occupancy.

"If we hadn't raised this issue in the House and the Seniors' Advocate hadn't spoken out, this policy wouldn't have been reversed," said Wakeham. "Yesterday, Minister Hogan suggested that seniors 'may very well want someone in your room with you' — a statement I find dismissive and out of touch with the realities facing our seniors."

Wakeham criticized the Liberal government for lacking awareness of seniors' challenges.

"Only a few weeks ago, the Liberal government celebrated an increase in bed numbers while disregarding the loss of privacy and dignity for seniors who would be forced to share their rooms," added Wakeham.

"This was a bad decision when it was announced by this Liberal government on October 25. When the government cannot see what's wrong, nothing will change unless the government is changed. We need decisive action today to fix our broken system and create a better tomorrow for our seniors, who deserve to live out their golden years in dignity. We must do better. We will do better. Better starts now."