"Construction of a new facility for this region has long been identified as a top priority for the health board," said Sweeney. "Rather than listening to the needs of the professionals on the front lines, this government is rejecting their concerns and identifying priorities of its own. It is time for this government to put an end to its policy of charging down its own path without consulting the people of the province."

Butler sees this as an example of government turning its back on rural areas of the province. "While the Premier doesn’t seem to realize it, the people of CBN are as entitled to adequate health care as are the people of Corner Brook and other areas where new facilities are planned. It is unfortunate that seniors who have contributed to society for their entire lives are not able to access essential health care services in their own region."

Both MHAs say government’s plan to leave the people of CBN with inadequate facilities is unacceptable, and appeasing the citizens of Corner Brook, a large center in this province, is an old political trick.

"In making the announcement regarding the Corner Brook facility, Premier Williams spoke of the look of happiness on the faces of seniors who will be using the new facility," said Sweeney. "No mention, however, was made of those who have been forgotten in the process. I agree that new facilities are needed in other areas of the province, but CBN was identified several years ago as an area facing an immediate need that should be accommodated in the budgetary process.

"When health boards brought priorities to government several years ago, a new facility for CBN was identified as being of equal importance to that of Corner Brook. We are only asking that residents in our region be treated equally when new health facilities are built in the province."