Hundreds of residents on the Connaigre Peninsula took to the streets to rally against ER closures in Harbour Breton.

A long line of protesters marched from the Connaigre Arena to rally outside the Health Centre that has been under on and off diversion since March 2022.

Residents say it’s just not good enough having to make the two and a half hour drive to the nearest emergency room in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Mayor Lloyd Blake says council is continuing to fight for residents of the community, and they’re calling on government to step up.

He says they’ve been working on ideas to present to government, such as expanding the scope of practice for nurses. Right now, Blake says, the building is almost useless to residents. He suggests allowing nurses to do triage and decide if patients should proceed to Grand Falls-Windsor.

The mayor says they’ve been in constant contact with the Premier and the Department of Health, with Minister Tom Osbourne agreeing to sit down for a meeting in June.