MHA Dean questions MHA Young’s commitment to his constituents

Marshall Dean, MHA for the District of The Straits-White Bay North, challenges the commitment of the  MHA for the District of St. Barbe, Wally Young, to his constituents after the St. Barbe member refused to support Dean’s Private Members Motion calling for the decision to relocate the vital air ambulance service out of St. Anthony to be reconsidered.

The Private Members Motion presented in the Legislature this week requested government delay removing the air ambulance until a more comprehensive analysis and consultation was undertaken to address service gaps on the Northern Peninsula and Western region.     

“I find it appalling that a government representative of the people would not stand up and support a request asking government to safeguard the lives and safety of people he is elected to serve,” says Dean. “Instead, MHA Young kept silent and, thereby, applauded government in their callous decision to remove an emergency service out of the region without the benefit of a thorough analysis of the issue and relevant key factors.”

Dean points out that it was little over a year ago that the member for St. Barbe supported government when it unveiled a new ambulance aircraft in St. Anthony in February 2009 because of its strategic location.  In the press release, MHA Young stated he was pleased to see the aircraft stationed in St. Anthony, adding Its location here in this region will undoubtedly continue to serve the people of the province well."

“So, now that this aircraft and service will not be available for medical emergencies, does the MHA feel that the region is no longer served adequately; and if so, why did he not voice his concerns on behalf of the people of St. Barbe?  When we are elected, we are elected to serve the people, not cower and toe the government line, which in this case is a poorly-thought out decision that weakens a health care service.    

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