Greens Would Increase Funding For Public Health

A Green government in Fredericton would restore funding to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and regional public health offices if elected next week.

During a news conference in Fredericton on Tuesday, leader David Coon said the Gallant Liberals cut $5 million annually from the office.

“A Green government would immediately increase funding to the Chief Medical Officer of Health. [To] her office as well as the regional offices around the province to ensure they are able to guide New Brunswickers through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Coon said.

Coon said the party would also work to ensure the independence of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, noting the previous Liberal government eroded and undermined it.

“In the last election, Blaine Higgs promised to make her independent, however, in the two years he’s been premier he has taken no action to do so,” Coon said.

Coon added the Greens would ensure the office is “truly independent and able to report directly to New Brunswickers” without having to go through the government which is how it works now.

The Green leader said they would bring in new legislation to address this in government.

“So it doesn’t have to fly by the seat of its pants and rely on emergency orders under the Emergency Measures Act to give it the legal authority to deal with COVID-19,” Coon said.

Another use for this funding would be to allow regional offices to address other issues such as sexual health, addictions, alcohol dependence and more.