Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

November 26th, 2008

Macdonald puts pressure on Liberal government to fund Invermere ER upgrade

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald is continuing to push for upgrades to the Invermere District Hospital emergency room.  In a speech in the Legislature this week, Macdonald criticized the new ranking system which now puts Invermere well down the list.

“I would like to draw the Minster of Health’s attention to the Invermere Hospital,” declared Macdonald in the House.  “The Invermere Hospital has an emergency room that does not even meet the needs of the community when the population is at 4000.  In the summer, Invermere has a population that multiplies significantly.

“Until recently, the upgrades to the Invermere ER were at the top of the regional priority list but the government has now changed the way capital projects are prioritized.  Now the Invermere upgrade has to compete for priority with projects throughout the province leaving Invermere at the bottom of the list.

“That’s not only unfortunate, it is profoundly unfair, and another clear example of the way this government has abandoned rural communities.”

In reference to the Premier’s 10 – point economic plan, Macdonald pointed to the commitment to fast-track capital projects stating the Invermere ER upgrade would be a good candidate, but the loss of priority status guarantees that this project will not qualify.

“We are seeing the effects of 7 years of Liberal mismanagement of our healthcare system, and communities like Invermere are being made to suffer,” said Macdonald.  “Healthcare is a basic service that a government has a clear responsibility to get right and the BC Liberals have very obviously failed in their responsibility to support adequate health and seniors care in Invermere.”