EDITOR:
It is shocking how the government spends public money. Last week, came the announcement that public money would go to Medavie, so that Island EMS can provide home care nursing. This is a service already provided with public funds with well-trained RNs.
So now the government wants this service provided by a private company, paid for with public money. Private companies like to make a profit, usually with lower wages and less trained staff; i.e. not RNs.
This contract was given without any call for public tenders, given to Medavie after many months of private negotiations. The reason given for said monies going to Island EMS is because the money came with a proviso that it had to go to a new initiative. Island EMS has been running for many years. This is not new.
I wonder if the real reason is because Wade MacLauchlan was at one time on the board of Medavie and also the CEO of Medavie? Or could it be, because Robert Ghiz is on the board now?
Whatever the reason, this privatizing of our public health care is a slippery slope to a for profit system.
Leah-Jane Hayward,
President, NDP P.E.I.
