N.S. protects habitat for threatened plant species
Nova Scotia’s premier was met by raucous heckling as he announced major changes Monday to health care delivery in Cape Breton, including the closure of two hospitals.
Stephen McNeil announced that Northside General Hospital in North Sydney, N.S., and New Waterford Consolidated Hospital will be closing, and two new community health centres and longterm care facilities will be built in their place.
McNeil was booed as he delivered his remarks over shouting audience members during a press conference in Sydney, N.S., but he defended his Liberal government’s decision.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust says the protection of lands that are home to a nationally imperilled plant species marks a significant step towards the recovery of the sweet pepperbush.
“I understand the anxiety for those of you in Northside and New Waterford. There’s no question there’s anxiety in those communities,” said McNeil as someone could be heard yelling “shame.”
“This is not about job loss. This is not about doing anything else than ensuring that we provide a modern health care system, where we can have access into that system.”
The government said New Waterford Consolidated and Northside General have exceeded their lifespan and cannot be renovated. As well, the emergency departments at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, N.S., and Glace Bay Hospital are currently seeing more patients than they were designed for.
The trust says the newly protected property in Digby County is one of only two conservation habitats for the plant in Canada.
The 44 acres of land — donated by Mary Guptill and Delbe Comeau — encompasses almost an entire island on Belliveau Lake, near Weymouth, N.S.
The province said the emergency departments at Cape Breton Regional and Glace Bay hospitals will be expanded by about 40 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
Surgeries and emergency services will gradually move from New Waterford Consolidated and Northside General to the Glace Bay and Cape Breton Regional hospitals.
“This is Black Monday for health care in Cape Breton,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill.
Eddie Orrell, a Cape Breton MLA and the Tories’ health critic, said the changes will bring chaos.
“Today’s announcement does nothing to address thousands of men, women and children who still don’t have a family doctor or
The trust says the scenic shoreline provides a habitat for threatened sweet pepperbush, and protection of the lands could be critical for the species’ survival.
Within Canada, the plant is found only on six Nova Scotian lakes, including the protected Louis Lake - part of the Tusket access to the care they deserve,” Orrell said in a statement.
“Premier McNeil will have to explain how shutting down two hospitals fixes the problems we’re facing. Instead of tackling the healthcare crisis, this government has spun it into full blown chaos.”
But the premier said the changes will reshape Cape Breton’s health system and help attract health care professionals to the region.
“We have heard from health care providers, not just in our province, but across this country — they want to move to communities and work in an integrated health care team. They want to work in new, modern facilities, and they want to work in collaboration,” said McNeil. River Wilderness Area.
The sweet pepperbush is a leafy shrub with small, fragrant white flowers.
Bonnie Sutherland, executive director of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, said other remaining habitats for the plant are threatened by cottage development.
A seven-year-old Nova Scotia boy who suffered brain damage at birth has received a $6 million settlement — the largest of its kind in the province’s history.
The lawsuit said Cullen Chisholm suffered oxygen deprivation during his delivery which caused severe cerebral palsy.
Lawyer John McKiggan says Cullen requires constant care.
“He is unable to care for himself in any way and will require 24 hour attendant care for the rest of his life,” McKiggan said Monday.
Half the money — $3 million — was used to purchase an annuity that will provide monthly payments “to pay for his care for the rest of his life,” the lawyer says.
Obstetrician Dr. Allison Ball and the former Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority have agreed to the settlement, which had to be approved by the court because it involved a child.
Cullen was born at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, N.S., on July 31, 2010, with his umbilical cord around his neck. He was later airlifted to the IWKGrace Health Sciences Centre.
The statement of claim, filed in 2012, alleged that the defendants failed to act when the electronic heart monitor showed evidence that Cullen was in distress. It says if the defendants had performed a C-section then Cullen’s injuries could have been prevented.
McKiggan says there was no admission or finding of fault.
The settlement also compensates parents Monique Chisholm and Wade Chisholm for the care they’ve provided over and above the expected care that any parent provides, McKiggan says.
The statement of claim says the parents have “provided nursing, housekeeping and other services to Cullen.”
It said that Monique Chisholm has been unable to return to work because she has to care for Cullen, and as a result she has and will continue to suffer consequential past and future income loss.