Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

April 4th, 2009

Invermere ER announcement: give credit where credit is due

Today’s official announcement of the upgrade to the emergency room of the Invermere and District Regional Hospital comes as no surprise to Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald, with an election only five weeks away.  Spending announcements are often delayed so that they can be announced during the pre-election timeframe, and this announcement is no different.

“The way in which this announcement was made is a clear attempt to give credit where it was not earned,” said Macdonald.  “The real credit for this announcement should go to the doctors and residents in this area who organized themselves to show the Minister the need for the upgrade.  And credit should go to the Mayor and council who spoke up.”

Macdonald spoke numerous times in the House about the need for the upgrade, ensuring that the people’s concerns were heard.

“More than 1000 people signed a petition asking for the upgrade; that was due to the hard work and commitment of John and Joan Rouse.  Those 1000 people should be given the credit for this announcement.”

The Liberal’s announcement today made little mention of the people of the area, nor their efforts.  Instead, this announcement was used as a political advertisement.

“The people of the Columbia Valley deserve a fully functioning emergency room.  They also deserve to know that their concerns will be listened to no matter where we are in the election cycle.”