(June 22, 2022) – Paul Dinn, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Health and Community Services and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, and Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, say a new poll demonstrates Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are becoming more and more disappointed in Premier Furey and his Liberal Government on their inaction of the health care and cost of living crisis.

An Angus Reid poll released on Wednesday shows Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the least satisfied with the provincial government’s handling of the healthcare system (83%), while the rising cost of living is the top issue for three-quarters of residents of our province.

“The healthcare crisis gripping Newfoundland and Labrador didn’t start overnight, but the Furey Government has failed to act. Emergency rooms are being diverted, family doctors are retiring or moving elsewhere, and an estimated 125,000 people do not have access to a family doctor,” said Dinn.

“Ten-year plans are necessary, but the people of our province are feeling the effects of government’s mismanagement of healthcare over the last seven years right now. People need help today to ensure healthcare is accessible no matter where they live in our province. The Furey Government has failed to address these concerns and the dissatisfaction of the people of our province is clear evidence.”
Wakeham says despite months of advocacy to help people living under the stress of the rising cost of living, the Furey Government is still not doing enough to help everyday people make ends meet.

“The people of our province are struggling as the cost of living crisis continues. The Furey Government has promised their home heating fuel rebate in the Fall – which does not address the debt built up over our long, cold winter. The people of our province, especially our seniors, need help now,” said Wakeham.

“Premier Furey has tried twice to assist with the cost of living crisis – the first one he admitted did not go far enough and the second one won’t help people for months to come. It’s time for the Furey government to make a serious effort to help the people of Newfoundland and Labrador get through this crisis.”
A link to the poll can be found here: https://angusreid.org/canada-health-care-provincial-performance/

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca