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Anna Thistle, MHA for the District of Grand Falls-Buchans, says she is angry
and frustrated that significant construction work will not be taking place
on the new cancer clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor. Thistle said tenders were
supposed to be called in September, with outside work being completed before
winter. It now appears there will be a delay and this work will not be
started until next year. "As has been demonstrated time and time again,
there is a great need for this cancer clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor," said
Ms. Thistle. "After excluding funding for this project in this year’s
budget, the Premier finally realized the necessity of this facility. I was
very pleased when he reversed government’s decision, corrected this mistake
and announced funding for this initiative.
"While I was confident that this project would now proceed as scheduled,
I am very disappointed to learn that tenders have been delayed and no
outside work will be undertaken this year. The people of central
Newfoundland had the understanding that outside work would be completed
before winter, with inside work on the facility being completed during the
winter. It now appears this will not happen and only a very minimal amount
of work will actually be started.
"I, along with many cancer patients in central Newfoundland, believed the
Premier when he stated he was committed to reversing a wrong decision and
granted funding for this project. I hope this commitment has not changed. It
is not acceptable to hold off on this work in an attempt to re-announce the
funding in next year’s budget, or delay the project so that it doesn’t open
until the eve of the next election. I will give the Premier the benefit of
the doubt that this is not government’s agenda. However, someone must answer
as to why this project has been delayed without this work moving forward as
scheduled.
"Once again I find myself asking government to keep this commitment to
the people of Grand Falls-Windsor and central Newfoundland. There is no good
reason to delay this project, cancer patients continue to suffer in silence,
receive treatments and get sick in a small, cramped room that is certainly
not acceptable for this type of treatment. These individuals deserve better
and certainly deserve to receive their cancer treatments in dignity."
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