From political, university and community sectors, these 28 people signed an open letter on this issue, addressed to Blaine Higgs.
In the wake of recent statements from various stakeholders about health care in New Brunswick, we have several concerns and concerns about the allusions to the merger of health services and networks.
, can we read in the letter.
Former Liberal Minister Aldéa Landry, who was notably Deputy Prime Minister in Frank McKenna’s Liberal government, is one of the signatories.
Aldéa Landry, former Deputy Prime Minister in Frank McKenna’s Liberal government (archives).
Photo : Radio-Canada / CBC/Brian Chisholm
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French-language health services are absolutely non-negotiable
, she says.
Aldéa Landry wishes an unequivocal guarantee from Blaine Higgs so that the linguistic rights and acquired rights of Francophones in the province are respected.
Great concern
The situation is causing great concern, both among former Liberal and Conservative ministers.
Elvy Robichaud, who was a minister in the Progressive Conservative government of Bernard Lord, is not reassured by the promises of ministers Daniel Allain and Dorothy Shephard.
Former Tracadie-Sheila MP Elvy Robichaud was New Brunswick’s health minister from 2001 to 2006. This photo was taken during an interview in 2020.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Godin
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In politics, ministers can make statements, but usually the prime minister takes precedence over his ministers, so what we want is for the prime minister’s position to be clear.
, he said.
According to Elvy Robichaud, this would reassure the francophone population of New Brunswick.
He also believes that the right of Francophones to manage their institutions must be respected by the provincial government.
This is an extremely important factor
, says Elvy Robichaud. [Que] the Francophone population of New Brunswick has control over decisions that affect not only their personal health, but the administration of the system in general.
A bilingual province
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs on June 9, 2021.
Photo: Radio-Canada
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The concern of the 28 signatories also stems from the approach of Blaine Higgs on the more general question of official languages.
Elvy Robichaud qualifies the positions of Blaine Higgs on official languages a little mixed
.
The mayoress of Rogersville, Pierrette Robichaud, said for her part that the population no longer places their trust in the Prime Minister and Vitalité Health Network since their failed attempt to close emergency rooms at night in certain small hospitals.
The Prime Minister could tell us that there will be no merger at the Vitalité level, and perhaps rebuild public confidence in the entire health system.
For his part, Blaine Higgs reiterates that there will always be a network of French-speaking hospitals and another English-speaking one.
Asked about the possible merger of services, he nevertheless felt that we should not erect barriers
to what can be done.
The 28 signatories of the letter are Gilles Beaulieu, Annie Francoeur, Jean-Claude Basque, Jean-Luc Bélanger, Armand Caron, Gérald Clavette, Hector Cormier, Dr Luc Cormier, Frederick Dion, Roger Doiron, Michel Doucet, Danielle Dugas, Jeanne d ” Arc Gaudet, Aldéa Landry, Jean Lanteigne, Marcel Larocque, Denis Losier, Dr Marcel Mallet, Rosella Melanson, Jean-Marie Nadeau, Jean-Pierre Ouellet, Bernard Richard, Elvy Robichaud, Pierrette Robichaud, Jean-Claude Savoie, Jean-Guy Vienneau, Jeannot Volpé and Rino Volpé.
From Michel’s report Corriveau
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