PUGWASH, N.S. — Cumberland North’s MLA is reminding Nova Scotia’s premier he has an unfulfilled promise to the people of Pugwash.
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin said Thursday Premier Stephen McNeil promised a replacement for North Cumberland Memorial Hospital prior to the May 2017 provincial election. To her, a recent flood at existing facility is proof the premier must honour his commitment.
“When will the government start this much needed project? Just last weekend, there was another flood in the basement at the hospital. This is unacceptable,” Smith-McCrossin said in a news release. “This emphasizes the need for the premier to make good on his promise to the people and build this facility.”
In December 2017, the province announced Architecture49 had been awarded a contract worth more than $1 million to design its replacement. At the time, the premier said the province would work with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to have a final design in place by the spring of 2018 so work could begin that fall. Things have been quiet since – although it remains on the province’s capital plan.
Smith-McCrossin is frustrated there have been no plans, timelines or funds allocated for the project.
She acknowledges that this announcement was made with the previous Liberal MLA for Cumberland North, but she’s had positive follow-up conversations with the Premier who assured her the project would go ahead.
Last October, in Question Period, the premier told Smith-McCrossin he would keep his commitment regarding upgrades to the hospital.
“The premier and the former MLA for this community made this commitment two years ago,” Smith-McCrossin said. “We’ve all agreed that hospitals are an important piece of community infrastructure so I hope the premier will keep his word and take action.”
Neither the premier or officials with Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal were available for comment on Thursday.
