CHARLOTTETOWN – The King government needs to use PEI’s share of healthcare funding announced yesterday by the federal government to immediately address the Island’s healthcare crisis, says PEI Liberal Leader Sharon Cameron.

“Premier King and his government now have significant new funding coming from the Liberal federal government,” said Cameron. “It’s time to get to work and put plans in place to use this large federal investment and end the healthcare crisis for Islanders.”

Cameron said the PCs are more concerned about calling an election than working to fix health care and manage the province. “If the premier moves forward with a spring election that he’s expected to call after the Canada Games, it will simply mean more delay in addressing the urgent healthcare needs of Islanders,” she said.

Yesterday, the federal Liberal government announced an unconditional $2 billion boost to the provinces and territories to address immediate needs in emergency rooms, pediatric hospitals, and surgical and diagnostic backlogs. That amount is part of an overall $196.1 billion package announced.

Cameron said the funding is a step in the right direction to help PEI address the problems within the province’s health-care system. “The premier said yesterday the system needs innovation,” she said. “This government has had more than enough time to innovate and address our family doctor shortage, pressures in our emergency rooms and huge surgery backlogs. And yet those challenges persist. This government has demonstrated over and over it has no plan when it comes to health care, or any other issue Islanders are facing. It’s time for new leadership so we can get things done for Islanders.”

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