Sparks flew on the floor of the House of Assembly Wednesday afternoon during debate on government’s decision to drop the Mental Health Crisis Line and reroute callers to 811 instead.

The province announced on Monday that those in need of crisis response or mental health and addictions support can dial 811, day or night, to speak with a registered nurse trained in crisis intervention.

Health Minister John Haggie says when a caller dials 811, they identify by using the keypad that they have a mental health crisis and that the call is immediately prioritized as the next one answered.

Opposition Health Critic Paul Dinn raised the matter with Health Minister John Haggie in the House of Assembly.

Haggie accused Dinn of trying to frighten people, but Dinn shot back that if anyone is frightening people, it is every member on the government side of the House.