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Porter: NDP treating Valley residents like second class citizens

HALIFAX, NS – Hants West MLA Chuck Porter is demanding the NDP government practice what they preach and allow the people of Hants County to have a renal dialysis site close to home.

“This NDP government is talking out of both sides of their mouth,” said Porter. “On one hand, they’re issuing press releases that say receiving care closer to home is better for Nova Scotians living with kidney disease. Then in the next breath, they deny our community its own dialysis unit, even though we have $125,000 committed from individuals, organizations and local community groups for the capital purchase of the equipment. It’s unbelievable.”

In a Department of Health press release issued yesterday, Deputy Premier Frank Corbett said, “Receiving this care closer to home will make life better for Nova Scotians living with kidney disease and their families.” Today, the NDP announced new funding for Halifax, missing an opportunity to support ongoing efforts at the Hants Community Hospital.

“It’s about time the Minster of Health acknowledged that same point holds true for those in Hants County, who have to drive to Halifax or Berwick for treatment,” said Porter. “Patients and their families will be better served by making the investment close to home and not forcing those that are sick to travel unreasonable distances to receive the care they need.”

Porter says NDP need to get a handle on increasing health costs before it’s too late

“Escalating health care costs affect us all and with the federal health funding model changing, we need to get our house in order,” said Porter. “We have five years before the changes take place. Let’s start managing our own healthcare resources better now, starting with its’ massive administration.”

Porter says 10 District Health Authorities, 10 CEOs, 72 Vice-Presidents, 142 Directors in a province of fewer than one million people is simply too much.

Past two years show disturbing downward trend in rural Nova Scotia

WINDSOR, NS – Hants West MLA Chuck Porter says the decreasing number of jobs in the Annapolis Valley over the last two years is cause for concern but the NDP government isn’t doing anything about it.

Today’s Statistics Canada job numbers show no change in a distributing trend as rural Nova Scotia continues to suffer significant job losses. Every region of the province has recorded a decrease in jobs except for Halifax.

In the last two years, 4,700 people have left the workforce and 3,300 jobs were lost in the Annapolis Valley.

“The NDP continue to stand on the side of special interests instead of on the side of families,” said Porter. “It’s unacceptable and it’s about time the NDP stopped ignoring this crisis.”

Progressive Conservatives say the crisis in rural Nova Scotia is continuing as 8,900 jobs have been lost and 11,000 people are no longer looking for work. From December 2009 to December 2011, Cape Breton is down 1,500 jobs, North Shore is down 2,900 jobs, Annapolis Valley is down 3,300 jobs and Southern Nova Scotia is down 1,200 jobs.

Transparency on Power Bills is NDP Government’s Responsibility says UARB

Board said “having informed consumers is a worthwhile goal”

HALIFAX, NS – The NDP should show Nova Scotians how much their expensive electricity plan is costing and they should show it on people’s power bills. The PC Party has been calling for transparency for months and yesterday the UARB ruled that it is the responsibility of the NDP government to provide it.

The board’s decision reads, “The objective of having informed consumers is a worthwhile goal. However, the board considers that the decision of how to inform ratepayers about the impact of government regulations and programs is a policy decision to be made by the Province”.

Progressive Conservative Energy critic Chuck Porter pressed for this matter to be heard by the board.

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