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Percy Barrett, MHA for the District of Bellevue, says
he is outraged that all members of Danny Williams’ PC government voted
yesterday afternoon to defeat a motion put forth by Grand Bank MHA Judy
Foote calling for improvements to health care on the Burin Peninsula. "I
supported a motion yesterday in the House of Assembly that would have
allowed Clyde Jackman and the PC caucus to support placing a CT scanner on
the Burin Peninsula," said Barrett. "It is very unfortunate that all PC
members present in the House stood one after the other to defeat this
motion, including Mr. Jackman who claims to be fighting for our health care
needs.
"During the debate, Mr. Jackman spoke to the House, telling people on the
Burin Peninsula that there is no need for a new hospital and that the
existing structure could be sold to the town. He has no intention whatsoever
of making the case to the Premier that construction must resume on this
facility. I believe Mr. Jackman has sold out his constituents so that he can
win favour with the Premier for a possible cabinet appointment at some point
in the future. If he was really supportive of the CT scanner, he could have
amended the motion and voiced his support.
"Instead of standing up for the needs of the Burin Peninsula with Judy
Foote, MHA for Grand Bank District, and I, Mr. Jackman refused to voice his
support for the CT scanner and voted against the motion. Instead of fighting
for new equipment, the PC MHA continues to talk about improvements to health
care in other areas and forgetting his own district.
"Due to the refusal of Mr. Jackman to put health care needs ahead of his
own political future, we will not see a CT scanner placed on the Burin
Peninsula. It appears he is content with patients continuing to drive long
distances over the Burin Peninsula highway in bad weather conditions and at
huge expense.
"Ms. Foote and I will continue to fight for the people of this area
despite the incomprehensible actions of MHA Clyde Jackman. He has turned his
back on the people of Burin-Placentia West and this will not go unnoticed.
The PC District Association President, Jack Cumben, has said that he wants
answers and action on this issue or he will resign. If Mr. Jackman had any
backbone, he would be standing up to the Premier in the same manner and
demanding action for our health care needs." |