Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

August 28th, 2008

Fight to fund Revelstoke Ambulance station successful

The Ministry of Health has finally announced funding for the Revelstoke ambulance station, and Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald gives credit to the community of Revelstoke for putting up such a good fight.

“I am very pleased by the announcement to fund the new ambulance station in Revelstoke but I know that it only came to pass because community members and paramedics themselves never gave up the fight,” declared Macdonald.  “It was only through the constant pressure put on the ministry by individuals, the paramedics’ union and city councilors that this government was forced to finally take action.”

The need for a new ambulance station came about from changes to staffing requirements for paramedics.  The change required on-call paramedics to live on site during their shifts yet many facilities did not have sleeping quarters, proper washroom facilities or kitchens.

“When the government changed the rules it was entirely predictable that certain facility upgrades would be necessary yet instead of taking action to do those upgrades the Minister of Health just dragged his feet.

“The paramedics in Revelstoke have done a wonderful job, providing service to the community while being shuffled from one inadequate facility to another.  For two and a half years they have worked out of a variety of locations including a motel and repair shop, and with the ambulances parked outside during winter they had to shovel out the ambulances before they could be driven.”

Macdonald has repeatedly raised the issue of the Revelstoke ambulance station in the Legislature, reminding the minister that while the City of Revelstoke had done its part by providing the land for the station, the province had still not come through on its commitment to fund construction.

“It is pretty clear that rural areas are of no importance to the Campbell government and that is definitely obvious in their treatment of Revelstoke on this issue.”

Macdonald is reminded of another Revelstoke fight; the fight for Moberly Manor.

“Revelstoke is a community that understands the need for strong voices and for leadership that is willing to stand up and fight.  When Revelstoke faced the closure of Moberly Manor in the early part of the Liberal’s first term, the people fought to stop it, and they were successful in changing the government’s plan.

“This is another example of the people of Revelstoke making a difference, and I was very pleased to be able to represent this community in that fight.”