As House of Assembly reconvenes for spring session, leaders say health care is top priority
CBC
Liberal opposition leader John Hogan is used to answering questions, but as the house reconvenes on Monday, he says he’s getting ready to ask them.
“We're on the other side of the house,” Hogan told CBC News. “But it doesn't change our goal. Our goal is to deliver good policy, good legislation and good solutions.”
Lieutenant Governor Joan Marie Aylward is scheduled to deliver a speech from the throne at 2:00 p.m. to officially start the spring session.
The house last sat on May 22, but it stayed closed during the fall session while the votes of three contested electoral districts awaited approval for judicial recount.
Hogan told CBC News that he is “extremely disappointed” the house remained cancelled, as it could’ve been an opportunity for the new Progressive Conservative government to be held accountable to their election promises.
Since taking office, the PC’s have cancelled several former Liberal government projects, including a new hospital in St. John’s and a potential national marine conservation area for the south coast of the island.
Hogan said he’s hoping to hear what the PC’s are going to do, other than cancel pre-existing projects.
“They've really just sort of been a bit negative, as opposed to positive things that they promised that they would do,” he said.
Meanwhile, Premier Tony Wakeham told reporters on Sunday that he is ready to recommit to promises made during the election.
“Our commitment on making sure that health care becomes more accessible, that people have lower taxes and that we have safer communities," Wakeham said while speaking during an appearance at the Brier curling championship. "That's the priorities that you will hear in the throne speech.”
Health care is a top priority for Hogan and Wakeham heading into the spring session.
While in government, the Liberals released a 10-year health accord, aimed at revamping the province’s health-care system.
Pointing to recent findings from the Auditor General that suggested bonuses were helping retain physicians and nurses, Hogan said the Liberals made “great strides” in improving the health-care system.
Meanwhile, the PC’s announced last month that Dr. Pat Parfrey — a principal architect of the health accord — would be leaving his role as the head of N.L . Health Services.
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