Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 19th, 2008

Macdonald questions Minister’s decision to cut Ambulance service in Invermere

In Question Period today, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald questioned Minister of Health George Abbott about his ministry’s decision to reduce ambulance service in Invermere.

From Hansard:

N. Macdonald: The Columbia Valley needs improvements to paramedic service, but instead, Invermere Mayor Mark Shmigelsky tells me services are being reduced.  Instead of a properly paid full-time paramedic position, this government will reduce wages to foxtrot status, which is $10 per hour.  The ministry will not retain paramedics in Invermere at that pay level.  It will not happen.  The Tim Hortons pays more than that in Invermere, and they cannot get staff.

The question is for the Minister of Health.  What possible reason does the Minister of Health have for creating this instability in the paramedic service in Invermere?

On supplemental:

N. Macdonald: The minister can do the right thing and reinstate a full-time position in Invermere.  He should do it.  Will he stand now and do the proper thing?

Invermere is one of a number of rural communities whose ambulance service is being downgraded.  Castlegar, Merritt, Chemainus, Chase, Oliver and Fernie are also experiencing cuts.

“This is just another example of a government that has no consideration for the needs of rural communities.  Not only are health services in our communities being cut, but the ambulance that we need to access some of those services is being further under-resourced,” declared Macdonald.

“Paramedics do a wonderful job under very trying circumstances, and expecting paramedics to survive on $10 an hour in a community like Invermere is just not reasonable.”