(July 6, 2022) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says once again the Furey Liberal government is slow to address issues in healthcare, only today recognizing Minister Haggie could not continue in his position.

“Every person in Newfoundland and Labrador could see it was time for a new Minister of Health and Community Services for years. Only now does Premier Furey do the right thing and take the advice of the PC Official Opposition and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by removing Minister Haggie as Minister of Health,” said Brazil.

“After years of ignoring major issues, antagonizing healthcare professionals, and failing to address our healthcare crisis, the Premier finally realizes something has to change. I can only hope Minister Osborne has learned from his past through the Cameron Inquiry and does the right thing to help the people of Newfoundland and Labrador access healthcare.”

Paul Dinn, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Health and Community Services and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, is hopeful Minister Osborne can put out the many fires started by his predecessor.

“Healthcare is the single greatest challenge facing Newfoundland and Labrador today. I look forward to hearing Minister Osborne’s plans to recruit family physicians to our province. Will he continue the trend of ignoring doctors who want to work here until they move somewhere else?” said Dinn.

“Will he continue to oversee emergency department closures throughout our province? Will he continue to dismiss the concerns of doctors in Central Newfoundland? Will he continue to make medical graduates feel antagonized by the Department of Health? Or will he do what his predecessor did not: listen to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and deliver results to benefit our population.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca