Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey told the Legislature programs and services in the north need to be upgraded not cut.  He stated this government made cuts to the Northern Patient Transport Program which helps people get the medical care they are entitled to in the city adding the most egregious cut is to the escort family members require when travelling to medical care in Winnipeg as people rely on this program for various reasons be it mobility issues, old age or lacking familiarity with the city.  He added investment needs to be made in the active recruitment of medical care practitioners noting right now there are over 50 vacant nursing positions listed by the Northern Regional Health Authority and stating don’t get me started on the doctor shortages.

Lindsey says while the government is pocketing these cuts to funding, northern Manitobans will have to suffer the expense of travelling to reach health services that are not available in their own communities or worse just stay home and get sicker eventually increasing the cost of health care adding they deserve better.