Nova Scotia health bill debate contined into night sitting
Premier not swayed, saying bill will go forward as presented
The law amendments committee heard Wednesday from the 60 or so people who signed up to have their say on controversial Bill 1 at the legislature and at times speakers were moved to tears.
By using its majority in the legislature, the government moved Bill 1 — known as the Health Authorities Act — to the law amendments stage on Tuesday night with the intent of getting to the third and final reading sometime on Friday.
Most people speaking Wednesday were critical of a plan that does not allow health employees to vote on which union will represent them, after nine health districts are merged into one.
Public sector unions are upset the provincial government does not plan to give health workers a vote on union representation as it moves to consolidate Nova Scotia's health authorities. The bill would merge bargaining units, cutting them to four from 50 by April 1.
Michelle Dockrill travelled from Cape Breton to speak.
"I’m saddened as a woman in this province, I’m saddened as a mother of a 25-year-old young daughter who says, ‘I don’t want to work in this kind of a province," she says.
Karen Grandy says she was a member of the Young Liberals group in university. She says she's rocked to her core. She witnessed a man shoot his wife and then turn the gun on himself several years ago.
"I needed sick leave and I took it. I thought I was good and then I came back to work and I wasn’t and I had to go again. Thank God my benefits were there and I didn’t have to worry about losing 50 per cent of my pay and going on [Employment Insurance]. My union has fought for the supports that I needed and allowed me to recover so I could come back to the work force as a better person and as a better nurse," she says.
Therese Cordeau was moved to tears as she spoke.
"My tears are not from weakness," she said. "But from courage and passion in what I believe in. We are strong women."
The unions have said the bill violates labour rights, but Premier Stephen McNeil argued the legislation would protect patients and workers while ensuring health care is sustainable.
McNeil said Wednesday he is confident the bill would stand up against a legal challenge.
There was anger in the committee room as word filtered down that McNeil said he was not open to amending the bill and it will go ahead as presented.
That didn't sit well with Trina Mauger, who took a shot at conditions at Halifax's Victoria General site.
"I have accepted that the mice at the VG are the patients' entertainment, but I can't accept losing my right to vote."
The House of Assembly started a rare Wednesday evening sitting at 8:00 with just about every MLA in attendance.
Premier McNeil responded to questions by saying the Liberal Party ran on a platform of streamlining health administration, and that is what they are doing. He praised Health Minister Leo Glavine saying he's doing 'a fantastic job'.