Opposition Leader Roger Grimes says he is hopeful that the
Conservative government will clearly outline its future direction in the
upcoming Throne Speech and update the people of the province on the status
of their election promises."This Throne Speech is a significant document
which will set the direction for government over the next twelve months,"
said Mr. Grimes. "While I fear that this government will focus on their
agenda of cutbacks and program reductions, the real focus should be on their
134 key commitments they made to the people of the province during the
election."
Grimes says he would like some indication from the Throne Speech in
relation to promises made with regards to health and education. Specifically
he wants to know if this government will:
Present a workable plan to employ more doctors and nurses in under
serviced areas of the province?
Establish primary health care clinics to provide accessible front
line care to people?
Limit waiting times for diagnostic and treatment procedures to meet
standards deemed acceptable by physicians?
Establish a Health Quality Council made up of recognized experts?
Cap class sizes in the primary grades at 25 students?
Identify students who have special needs and provide support for
schools to reduce the need for bureaucratic assessment procedures?
"These are some very specific measuring sticks that can be used to judge
if this government is going to live up to the commitments they made during
the election. If this government comes forward with a series of watered down
initiatives in an attempt to ignore election promises, I would be very
disappointed. They raised expectations during the election campaign and they
have been trying to back off from these promises since that time. The Throne
Speech needs to be examined very closely and as an opposition we will
certainly be doing that in the House of Assembly.
"I fully expect there will be some good things in this speech, but I hope
they are not overshadowed by the message of restraint and cutbacks. The
premier spoke at length about his promised economic development agenda
during the election and now is the time to put this into action."