As times get tough, our governments must get going

Dear Atlantic premiers,

We know it’s difficult to govern, particularly during a pandemic, a climate crisis and tough economic times.

There are competing interests, many areas that need legitimate attention, and a finite pot of money.

We get it.

But these are the jobs you campaigned for and fought hard to win.

So here you are, in charge. You’ve got a lot of responsibility and you’re being judged on your performance. People are counting on you.

You’ve got tough decisions ahead.

Now, we know it’s easy to criticize politicians and, despite what opposition parties might suggest, not every choice you make is wrong.

In Nova Scotia, you’ve helped to ease a backlog of diagnostic procedures by extending the hours that they’re available.

You’ve substantially increased wages for continuing care attendants. You rightly did an about-face on a new tax for non-residents that was sending a negative message and harming the province’s reputation for being a welcoming place.

In P.E.I., you’ve tackled the health-care crunch by rolling out a new collaborative model of care which offers people access to “patient medical homes” where they can be seen by doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other allied health-care professionals. You fought hard alongside farmers against the potato export ban.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, you moved quickly to establish a support desk in Poland to help Ukrainians fleeing their country and welcomed 166 people so far. You’re tackling the cardiac care wait list and recently reached an agreement with physicians that should help with recruitment and retainment.

In New Brunswick, you came up with a process that simplifies child support payments, meaning less time and money will be tied up in court every time a parent’s financial circumstance changes.

Those are all positive initiatives that are improving people’s lives.

But you have much more work to do.

Once June comes, there’s a perception that politicians shift into summer mode, leaving the legislature behind to make the rounds of the community barbecue and festival circuit.

So we’re here to remind you that Atlantic Canadians are suffering right now, and that won’t change with the seasons.

People are worried about their health, and every province is struggling with a lack of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. There are surgery backlogs.

And even if someone is lucky enough to have access to a doctor, the price of gas is so high that they might not be able to afford to travel for the care they need. They may not have enough money to buy the foods that will give them the best chance at staying healthy. Many can’t afford a safe place to live.

The rising cost of supplies and the labour shortage may force businesses to close. Fuels prices might keep tourists from coming.

We’re talking about real people with pressing problems.

It’s time to step up and show more political leadership.

Let people know they are being heard — and helped.