The New Brunswick Liberal party unveiled its full platform today, which included their plan for better healthcare in the province.
Leader Kevin Vickers says under Blaine Higgs our economy has been ignored, residents have been divided and the environment has been put at risk.
He says if elected, they will formally direct both health authorities that no rural hospitals will close and no emergency room services will be eliminated.
“More than 40% of New Brunswick nurses will be eligible to retire over the next 5 years and many nursing graduates immediately leave the province for a better deal elsewhere,” he says.
Vickers says they’ll also work with technology and health professionals to initiate the development of a digital health economic strategy.
The party’s platform also includes addressing the lack of affordable housing in the province.
Vickers says homelessness has become a growing concern in New Brunswick, particularly in our urban centres.
“We will appointing an Implementation Task Force on Homelessness to support plans already developed by communities and to ensure that all levels of government are acting together to address the issue in our province.
He says they’ll work with non-profits and the private sector to implement the $300 million provincial and federal Housing Agreement signed in July 2018.
They’ll also look ad developing a 10 year plan to address the needs of individuals with complex needs related to mental health and addiction.
The environment and population growth are also priorities for the Liberals.
A Liberal government promises to ban single use plastics and plastic bags in New Brunswick.
Vickers says his government will eliminate glyphosate spraying on crown land on a 4-year transition period.
“We have to find that balance between protecting the environment and protecting our economy. We’re going to give industry time to react and adjust so that we don’t hurt our economy and we don’t hurt our jobs here in new Brunswick,” he says.
Vickers also hopes to increase the population by 100-thousand people over the next 10 years by promoting New Brunswick’s low cost of living and by attracting more skilled foreign workers and international graduates.
You can view the party’s full platform by clicking here.
