"The approach which this government has taken will result in shortages of health care professionals and other professionals in many areas of this province and it will be the people of this province who will suffer because of the heavy handed approach being taken by Danny Williams and the Conservative government," says Jones.

The Liberal MHA was referring to the crisis situation identified by Debbie Forward, president of the nurses union, in terms of the number of nurses available in the Labrador region. The union is calling on the Health Board to close beds and restrict non-essential surgeries because of a chronic shortage of nurses.

"The way this situation has been handled by the Conservative government makes a bad situation worst. This government has sent a message to nurses and other professionals that their services are not valued and that they can expect nothing from this government. If anyone were thinking about talking to the many recruiters who come to this province and signing up to work elsewhere the actions of this government might be the thing that would push them in that direction."

"This government is allowing the people of this province to suffer as they fail to replace front line workers in health and social assistance. They are willing to create a social deficit in order to eliminate the financial deficit."