STEPHENVILLE, N.L. — The Progressive Conservatives have promised to replace the existing long-term care centre in the Stephenville-Port au Port/Bay St. George region.
But first the party has to win the Feb. 13 provincial election.
The pledge to replace the aging facility was made by Tony Wakeham, the candidate for Stephenville-Port au Port, along with Gary Bishop, the party’s candidate for St. George’s-Humber, at Wakeham’s campaign headquarters in Stephenville on Monday.
It was made while PC Leader Ches Crosbie was visiting the region.
The campaign continues this morning with a visit to the beautiful West Coast with announcements in Stephenville and Corner Brook today. #BringBackJobs #LetsGetToWork #PCNL
Posted by Ches Crosbie on Monday, January 25, 2021
The Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre, located in Stephenville Crossing, was built in 1976, and is one of the oldest in the province, Wakeham said during the announcement, which was shared via Facebook Live.
“Despite the best efforts of staff to care for residents and maintain the facility, this home was not constructed for the type of care it's currently providing,” he said.
Wakeham said the PCs would conduct a review of the current availability of long-term care homes to ensure there are adequate facilities in place to meet the needs of residents of the province.
From that, the party will create a 10-year, long-term care plan ensuring that needs are met into the future, and it will also conduct a staff-level review of all nursing homes to ensure the appropriate number of health professionals are available to care for the residents, he said.
"... this home was not constructed for the type of care it's currently providing." — Tony Wakeham
But the big news for the region is that Wakeham said the PCs will commission a feasibility study on the replacement of the Bay St. George facility.
“This will not be a review to tell us if the facility needs replacing. We already know we need a new facility.”
The study will determine how many beds will be required in the new facility, which will also include a modernized protective-care unit, and where to build it.
“This facility, having been built in 1976, was not built for the purpose for which it’s being used now,” Crosbie said when he spoke with SaltWire Network by phone after the announcement. “Conditions have changed a great deal since then and everyone seems to be agreed there needs to be a new facility.”
The assessment and the construction will come with a cost, at a time when the province’s financial situation is less than ideal.
“We’ve done a cost on the various initiatives we’re taking in our platform,” Crosbie said when asked where the money will come from.
He said that costing is something that will be released by the party, which could be done in the next week to 10 days.
“As to long-term care there are some things that government does that you can’t afford not to do, and this is in that category,” said Crosbie.
If that project comes to fruition it could provide work for a lot of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians over the next few years.
Ensuring local workers will be the first in line for jobs on government projects such as a new long-term care facility was something else that Crosbie announced while in Stephenville.
Crosbie said time and again those working in the trades have asked the province to require a local benefits policy when public funds are spent on infrastructure.
He said he has heard reports of out-of-province workers on building sites in the province, including over 50 at the Corner Brook regional hospital and at long-term care centres in Gander and Grand Falls. He said this is happening while too many local workers wait in the unemployment line.
“On my watch, this will change,” Crosbie said via Facebook Live.
“As we go about bringing back jobs and putting our province back to work the PC government I lead will ensure our residents always come first. Not the big companies or elite special interests based outside the province.”
He said the PCs will require a local benefits policy when public funds are spent on infrastructure so Newfoundlanders and Labradorians receive maximum benefit and jobs, and this will include under-represented groups such as women, Indigenous people and apprentices.
Crosbie was asked whether a shortage of skilled workers in some areas would affect this policy.
“The shortage of skilled workers within the province is a myth as far as I’m concerned. I’d like to see that proven,” said Crosbie.
“The people I run into are skilled workers who stop me at service stations and want to talk about why they can’t find work. They want more work created here in Newfoundland and Labrador for Newfoundland and Labrador workers. And that’s what we’re all about.”
Asked if the policy would create concern that companies wouldn’t want to do business in the province, Crosbie replied, “Not at all. If they see a chance of making money, they’re going to come here.”
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