[LabComm] James Challenges BC Liberal Health Progress Report

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

James Challenges BC Liberal Health Progress Report

NDP Leader Says Self-Congratulatory Review Insults Patients on Longer Waitlists

VICTORIA - The BC Liberal health progress report released today is an insult to tens of thousands more British Columbians waiting longer for surgery as a result of Gordon Campbell's mismanagement of health care, BC New Democrat Leader Carole James.

"With health wait lists skyrocketing under this government, it really is shameful for the Campbell government to release a report patting itself on the back for its health record," said James.  "It shows, once again, that Gordon Campbell just can't be trusted to tell the truth."

The taxpayer-funded report card heaps praise on the Campbell government for its changes to seniors' care and makes excuses for ballooning wait lists.

"Gordon Campbell promised to reduce waitlists.  He said they were too long under the NDP.  But under his government, those same waitlists have gone through the roof, more than doubling for some surgeries.  Now with an election on the horizon, he's spending our money to say it's not his fault."

James said that British Columbians can expect more of this kind of taxpayer funded propaganda in the lead up to the election.  She said that the tens of millions of dollars the Premier has spent on television ads and self-serving reports would be better spent providing surgeries.   Just one of the government's television ads running in prime time would pay for 12 surgeries.

Last month, James announced the BC NDP would ban all taxpayer-funded political advertising.

"Gordon Campbell has the wrong priorities.  He's wrecking public health care and spending our money to say he's doing a great job.  Either the Premier is out of touch, or he's deliberately misleading British Columbians.  Whatever the case, this health care progress report is an expensive joke."

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