NDP Leader visits South Shore, focused on health care and rural economic development

Doctor shortage top issue in communities

BRIDGEWATER – NDP Leader Gary Burrill will be in New Germany, Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, and Chester, on November 20, 21, and 22 to speak with individuals and organizations on the health care crisis and opportunities for rural economic development.

“The shortage of doctors in rural Nova Scotia is a serious problem. When one doctor leaves an entire community can be left without primary care,” said Burrill. “People on the South Shore deserve access to a family doctor, and to have confidence that their emergency rooms to be open when needed.”

In New Germany, the regular family doctor has been on leave since September. The Liberals’ latest budget contained no new money for primary health care. And despite four years of promises, the Liberals still haven’t opened a Collaborative Emergency Centre at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.

On Tuesday, Burrill will meet over lunch with entrepreneurs from small and micro businesses who work out of Co3.

“Everywhere I go in rural Nova Scotia, there are people working hard to make a living through small, sometimes very small, businesses,” said Burrill. “Whether it’s a café that has one or two staff, or a small farmers’ market stand, we need a government that will support these small and micro businesses in our local economies.”

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