It took awhile but the Legislature has finally paved the way for debate to begin on the declaration of private ambulance operations as an essential service.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn stymied efforts twice to grant leave to enable the House of Assembly to reconvene to debate the legislation but relinquished on the third attempt by Government House Leader John Hogan.
Dinn says the reason for the move was to give their members adequate time to review the legislation.
Question Period begins at 3 p.m. with debate on the legislation to follow. Hogan says the goal is to have the legislation passed and in effect by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Dinn says government should have introduced this legislation in the spring or fall sitting last year. He describes the move as a ploy to break the spirits of the striking workers.
Striking Ambulance Workers Hold Rally at Confederation Building
Employees of Fewer’s Amubulance service as well as non-striking workers from other such operators rallied at Confederation Building this morning as members of the House of Assembly gathered for an emergency debate.
Premier Andrew Furey says there is an essential services agreement in place for the public ambulance service, but not the private service.
What the legislation will establish is the number of essential workers needed so that services are not disrupted during job action.
He says government had been hoping to introduce the legislation before the expiration of the existing contract in March. If the legislation passes, the paramedics, dispatchers and EMR’s will have to go back on the job while an essential workers provision is negotiated.
Brady Cahill and Cheryl Bragg say it was difficult not responding to calls for service. They work with Fewer’s in CBS pic.twitter.com/O0vDOFzu0v
— Brian Madore (@bmadorevocm) January 23, 2023
Brady Cahill, who works with Fewer’s In CBS, says it has been difficult being on strike and not responding to emergency calls. It’s not something they wanted to do.
He says they’re in the business of getting people the help they need and being on strike has been tough for all employees.
