Letters: Provincial health-care system crumbling; election chance for a change

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Time for premier to put on walking boots

It took the death of a homeless person to get the Higgs government to fast forward the opening of the homeless hub. A little too late and only a tactic knowing there is a looming provincial election.

While I am on the subject of the provincial government, lets talk about the many files that show they are either inept or simply don’t care. Files such as health care, education, affordable housing, Policy 713, and the list goes on and on.

The federal government has stepped in to offer investors tax breaks for building apartment buildings. Not sure what the Higgs government has done, but all this does is get investors to build and the ability to rent these apartments anywhere from $2,000 to $ 2,500 a month. This is not affordable housing for many low income families.

I hope once Higgs calls an election New Brunswickers will not forget the many failures of his government. The only thing he has done is brought control of the debt, but, let’s face it, debt is a reality of life. He sits on a huge surplus and refuses to do anything to improve on the above files.

New Brunswickers deserve better and it is time to show Higgs to the door. He talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk. His boots were made for walking and that’s just what they’ll do.

Gil Leblanc

Quispamsis

Province’s health-care system crumbling

During COVID, New Brunswick borders were shut and anyone entering had to show proof of vaccination or self isolate for 14 days. Well, it may be time to resurrect the borders and advise people that they are entering N.B. at their own risk as this province cannot ensure any type of health care, especially emergency care.  

To enter they would have to sign a waiver that under no circumstances would they attempt to access health care. Further, if they have not been vaccinated for COVID, the flu or RSV, they would not be allowed to enter as we have no provision for treating anyone with such symptoms.  Cell phones are essential so that, if help is needed, you can call for a diagnosis from someone in another province.  And for heaven’s sake, don’t consider moving here as primary care is going the way of the dinosaurs and after-hours clinics are leading the way.

On the bright, Premier Blaine Higgs has done a very good job of reducing N.B.’s debt load, at least if you don’t count NB Power.  The Medical Society have proposed an increase in billing hours for doctors in an attempt to bring some relief to emergency care. No answer from the premier or Health Minister Fitch.

So we have lower debt but don’t get sick or injured in this place because we have a government that either hasn’t a clue on how to provide care or just plain don’t care.  But hey, at least our debt is under control so we’ll have a good credit rating to comfort us when in need of help.

Peter A Belliveau

Moncton