Houston leaves people wondering about details of health care infrastructure plan

HALIFAX– Nova Scotians want to know how and when health care will improve for them and their families. Today, Tim Houston presented a number of plans for new health care infrastructure throughout HRM. The ideas are welcome but the government failed to provide specifics about when people will have better access to care.

“The people of Nova Scotia are still waiting for health care to improve,” said NDP Leader Claudia Chender. “Today’s announcement included important expansions in Dartmouth and Sackville that communities have waited on for years from both Liberal and Conservative governments. But there were a lot of details missing about how and when we will see movement to improve hours and facilities at the Cobequid in Sackville, or increased services at the Dartmouth General. We are pushing for details, costing, and timelines to ensure people get the care they urgently need.”

The general timelines presented today suggest work on the Dartmouth General won’t begin until late 2024, with the Cobequid Expansion not getting underway until 2025.

“After 16 months of delay, we’re glad to see some new ideas about expanding care from this government, but there are still many questions about what the new Infirmary building will include and what it will cost,” said NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson Susan Leblanc. “New Democrats have said from the beginning that a public-private partnership (P3) isn’t in the best interest of Nova Scotians and we’re still worried about the lack of transparency and flexibility we’ll end up with at the Halifax Infirmary under a P3 deal.”

People have been waiting years to see work begin on the Infirmary expansion. Plans to redevelop the Halifax Infirmary site were first announced in 2016 by the then Liberal government. The Houston government further delayed the project after being elected in 2021.

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