New Brunswick

No rural hospital closures, Gallant promises as Day 2 of campaign wraps

Health care and seniors were front and centre on day two of New Brunswick’s 2018 election campaign.

PC Leader Blaine Higgs announces seniors plan, while NDP's Jennifer McKenzie introduces LGBT policy

Liberals talked about health care and Progressive Conservatives talked about home care and New Brunswick's aging population on Friday. (Daniel McHardie/CBC)

Health care and seniors were front and centre on Day 2 of New Brunswick's 2018 election campaign.

In Grand Falls, Liberal Leader Brian Gallant promised that no rural hospitals would be closed as long as he was premier.

In addition, the Liberals promised to spend $50 million over 10 years to update "the infrastructure and technology of New Brunswick's rural hospitals." 

Gallant also said Liberals would add additional services to rural hospitals so people in those communities could get help locally and reduce the pressure on urban hospitals. 

An additional $100 million a year would be spent to buy equipment and upgrade hospitals in general, he said.

Options for 'aging care'

In Moncton, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs pledged to "reinvent aging care."

"We're going to respectfully change the discussion on aging care," he said. 

"We need to create new lifestyle options for our seniors, and ensure they receive the professional care they require, so they can live the life they want to live."

The PCs want to consult with seniors about "how they want to live" and support those who want to "age in place" and protect their assets.

They also pledged to pay home care workers a "fair wage."

In Saint John, NDP Leader Jennifer McKenzie announced the party's LGBTQ platform with Olivier Hebert, the candidate for Fredericton West-Hanwell.

Green Party Leader David Coon was campaigning in Douglas, which is part of the Fredericton-York riding, with local candidate Amanda Wildeman. 

People's Alliance of New Brunswick Leader Kris Austin did not have any scheduled events Friday. 

On Saturday, Gallant will be in Cocagne to make a campaign announcement and will then travel to Moncton for Pride festivities.

Coon will start his day in Fredericton at a Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day event before travelling to Moncton for Pride festivities.

Schedules for Higgs, McKenzie and Austin were not immediately available.