Cheers &Jeers
CHEERS: to moving ahead with new housing construction.
It’s good to see funding announced for actual construction work, rather than for more planning and rezoning and committees and delays. Last week, the provincial government announced $20 million to construct 50 provincially-owned housing units in Corner Brook, “helping to increase access to stable, safe and affordable housing for individuals and families in the western region.” The project will include multi-unit buildings that feature a combination of oneand two-bedroom homes, and will also include the demolition of 32 existing long-term vacancies in the area, paving the way for new modern, accessible and energy-efficient homes. Construction of all 50 homes is anticipated to be completed by 2026.
JEERS: to excessively long wait times for MRI scans — again.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, there were 5,057 people waiting for an MRI in the provincial health authority’s eastern zone. The government has said that while the wait list is concerning, steps are being taken to reduce wait times, such as increased hours of operations and an additional machine coming online in western Newfoundland when the new hospital opens in Corner Brook later this year. But there are also concerns that there isn’t adequate staffing to actually have an impact on wait times. Jennifer Carey, manager of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Atlantic, said without adequate staff, the problem isn’t going away any time soon. It’s a similar case for other crucial testing tools such as ultrasounds. Between Oct. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023, 2,016 people had urgent ultrasounds at the three St. John’s hospitals. Their median wait time was 51 days, meaning that 1,008 people waited 51 days or fewer, while the other 1,008 people waited more than 51 days for an urgent ultrasound. Having these tests done is crucial to the diagnosis of conditions and early treatment plans. Excessive wait times put people at risk of conditions worsening before treatments can begin. There must be a better health-care solution for residents of the province.
CHEERS: to a step forward in the replacement of Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.
Last week, the provincial government announced the request for qualifications process for the replacement of “the Pen” has concluded and the one submission from New Avalon Corrections Partners had been deemed qualified to continue the procurement. The private-sector partnership is led by Plenary Americas and PCL Investments. A modern, safe and healthy facility is needed for both inmates and staff, as well as the community as a whole.
JEERS: to excessive travel costs.
Post Media reported last week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sixday trip in the Indo-pacific region last September cost Canadian taxpayers nearly $2 million. Those costs included $190,000 on in-flight catering, $643,000 for aircraft handling and fuel fees, $422,000 for lodging, $129,000 for ground transportation and $427,000 for RCMP security costs. The PMO has to travel at times to maintain and strengthen relationships with other countries and regions, but those kinds of costs are hard to take as the majority of the country’s residents continue to struggle with higher food prices, housing needs, and the rising cost of living. Wonder how much carbon that flight emitted.
CHEERS: to the ongoing work on the National War Memorial.
A recent news release stated the refurbishment of the National War Memorial in St. John’s is well on its way to completion — a significant milestone in the project was marked with the installation of the tomb portion of the memorial. On July 1, 2024, the repatriated remains of an unknown First World War soldier from what was then known as the Dominion of Newfoundland will be placed in the tomb as their final resting place. It’s an important project and we look forward to its completion and the ceremony on July 1 — 100 years after the memorial was first unveilled.
CHEERS: to working on the weekend to get the deal done.
Leaders of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ union and the Association of Seafood Producers met with Premier Andrew Furey and other government officials on Sunday to hammer out an agreement that will allow this year’s snow crab fishery to begin. Fishermen will get $3 per pound at the start of the season — up from the $2.60 per pound that they had rejected earlier, and for which they refused to untie their boats. The deal came as fishermen were set to resume protests at the Confederation Building on Monday with MHAS back sitting in the legislature. Nobody wanted a repeat of the chaos caused during earlier protests around budget day. Let’s get the boats on the fishing grounds and workers back in the plants — the way a Newfoundland spring should be.