Protesters hound Yukon premier at groundbreaking for new nursing home
Critics say government failed to consult before choosing facility's Whistle Bend site
Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski was hounded by protesters at the official groundbreaking Monday of the Yukon Government's controversial new long-term care facility in the Whitehorse neighbourhood of Whistle Bend.
Protesters say the building is too big, and that Whistle Bend, a new neighbourhood located far from the city centre, is the wrong location, questioning the planning process that led to the site's selection.
As the premier spoke, jeering protesters called the facility a "welfare building" and a "hotel."
Protester Lillian Maguire said the lack of consultation is the biggest concern.
"I know people who are looking for that kind of care, and I do care about that community," she said. "To me, this doesn't feel right to me. It really doesn't."
"The depth of analysis and the careful consideration that has gone into the development of this facility has been incredible," he said.
"We carried out a business case assessment for this facility, and the argument to build that we are beginning to build today could not be stronger."
Critics agree Yukon needs more space dedicated to its aging population, but some argue "warehousing" seniors in one large facility is a mistake.
Wayne MacNicol, Chief of Medical Staff for the Whitehorse General Hospital, said the need is urgent.
"As far as the need goes there's absolutely no question," he said. "We at the hospital are probably of the opinion that this should have been [built] several years ago."