QP: Nova Scotians deserve answers
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Nova Scotians are still finding out about the full impact of this government's cruel cuts to them and their families. Every day, we see new letters from organizations that will be forced to close their doors or reduce services, and media posts from people who are worried and alarmed. Thousands of Nova Scotians lined the street outside this building to make their message clear - that they rely on these services, and to cut them is cruel. They deserve answers for why the government chose to cut specific programs and what those cuts will mean.
Will the Premier finally give Nova Scotians some answers?
THE PREMIER : We know that families are dealing with challenging times. So is the government. A $1.2 billion deficit last year, a $1.2 billion deficit this year. It's not sustainable in the long term. We've had to make some decisions. We will continue to look for ways to support Nova Scotians. This budget has almost $19 billion in spending. That's all going to support Nova Scotians.
We'll continue to look for ways to do more. We'll work with communities, but the reality is, until we can grow our revenues, grow our economy, get things going, which we're working hard to do, it's just a difficult time. We have said we will not raise taxes. I know the member opposite is keen for tax raises, but we're not going there.
CLAUDIA CHENDER : While the Premier relies on his talking points and compares his own pain to those of families who are losing vital cuts, we continue to try to get answers for those families.
Yesterday I was joined by Kari and James Robertson, who are worried about cuts to the Caregiver Benefit. The $400 grant helps cover the family's bills and their son's medical expenses, and keeps him at home with them where he wants to be. The government is cutting $2.5 million from this program that keeps people out of hospitals and long-term care, but when pressed, the minister responsible admitted that she didn't know what these cuts would mean for the Robertsons, or when they would roll out, or how they would find out.
Can the Premier be confident in the cuts he's making when his own ministers can't explain them?
THE PREMIER : I'm confident that as a government, we do what we can when we can. Over the last few years, we've seen significant spending. Many of it is additional appropriations that the Opposition complain about, but that is spending that goes to support families. When we can do more, we do more, but when times are tough, it's a difficult time for everyone.
That program still has $10 million. We'll work with families. We'll work with organizations on making sure we get that to the right places, but at the same time, that pot of money has had a lot come out of it. A lot of the pressure has been relieved because we've opened 1,000 long-term care beds. We'll open another . . .
We know that the pot is changing, but we'll work with families on that.
CLAUDIA CHENDER : Whether the Premier wants to admit it or not, cuts to programs that support people with disabilities, cuts to seniors' programs, and cuts to mental health and social work programs are cuts to frontline health care. They're happening at a time when this government has no health authority board and no health authority CEO. Five years in, and Nova Scotians don't have the results they were promised.
How can the Premier expect Nova Scotians to keep trusting him when leadership and accountability are so obviously lacking?
THE PREMIER: I completely reject the premise of the member's statements. Health care is improving dramatically under this government. We are, in fact, the envy of the country in many categories. We know there is work to be done, but imagine that we've got the unattached down to 7 percent. In most other provinces . . .
THE SPEAKER : Order. I'm sorry. Can you pause the clock? There are to be no pictures taken from the gallery. I ask that you delete those pictures and not do it again. Thank you so much.
The honourable Premier.
THE PREMIER : Seven percent unattached: most provinces and territories are more than 20 percent. There is incredible progress. The Health and Wellness Minister has been up in Estimates I think for 20 hours. There's plenty of time to ask questions if they want to ask substantive questions.
The reality is that health care spending is up, results are up but taxes are not going up under this government like they were.
THE SPEAKER : I apologize to the person in the gallery. We have quite a few people doing that this last week. Didn't know you were media; you're fine, you're allowed. Anybody up there, if you are media you are allowed.