The Opposition says the Premier had little choice but to remove John Haggie from the health portfolio.
Haggie and former education minister Tom Osborne swapped roles yesterday in a shuffle which came with little warning or fanfare.
PC Leader David Brazil says Haggie’s refusal to acknowledge the state of the province’s healthcare system as a “crisis” showed that he could not continue in the position. He calls it “long overdue”.
He says it’s unfortunate that the Premier took so long to make the decision, but calls it a “fresh start.” He says if the healthcare system does not go in the right direction, the new minister will be hearing about all the problems the province is facing.
The NDP meanwhile says the shuffle offers “little hope” for either public health or education.
Jim Dinn questions the motive and hopes both departments will finally see some positive outcomes and that the changes aren’t simply a “shuffling of the deck chairs to buy time.”