NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                       Office of the Official Opposition
January 6, 2010
For Immediate Release

What is the true status of the Conception Bay North long-term care facility?

Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port de Grave, is again asking questions as to the status of the long-term care facility proposed for Conception Bay North after receiving documents under Access to Information that confirm that no money has yet been spent on the planning process. View Documents

In 2009-2010 Budget, government allocated $500,000 for the planning of a new long-term care facility in Carbonear. Under Access to Information legislation, a breakdown of how this money was being spent was requested. The Department of Health and Community Services confirmed in its response that “As of today’s date a formal plan for the allocation of funds has not been developed nor have any of the budgeted funds been spent.”

“I was very surprised to learn that none of the allocated $500,000 has been spent by the Department of Health for the planning and development of the long-term care facility for Conception Bay North,” said Mr. Butler. “I asked Minister Kennedy for an update on this project in the House of Assembly on December 17th. At that time, he stated that the planning and design work was proceeding, yet the information provided by his department contradicts those statements. It is even more frustrating that these documents were withheld until after the House of Assembly closed.”

Butler says it is time for the minister to explain why none of the allocated funds have been spent to begin the planning and construction process of this facility.

“If the money for the planning of this project was allocated in this year’s budget, why isn’t it being spent? This is a critical piece of infrastructure that is needed by residents in the area and any unnecessary delays will continue to inconvenience many seniors and their families. It is no longer acceptable to continue sending patients from our region to St. John’s or other communities to receive these vital services. Instead of providing more rhetoric, the minister must give some timeframes as to when people will finally start seeing some progress on this facility.”

- 30 -

Media Contact: 
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477