Tories question NDP's ER promises

Last Updated: Thursday, May 14, 2009 | 1:50 PM ET

The Canadian Press

The Nova Scotia Tories are questioning the NDP's claims it could open 17 new emergency room beds for less than $5 million.

Health Minister Karen Casey said the government is opening 14 new beds at the Halifax Infirmary next month at a cost of $21 million.

NDP Leader Darrell Dexter said Thursday he would create 17 new general medicine beds at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax for $4.85 million.

Dexter said too many people wait too long for treatment at the facility's ER and often end up on stretchers in hallways rather than beds.

He also pledged to create a $3-million fund to hire doctors to work in ERs that are routinely closed because of a lack of staff.

Dexter said Premier Rodney MacDonald has failed to deliver on a promise to end emergency room closures, but Casey countered that the NDP plan is unrealistic and doesn't add up.

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Overall Results

Overall Election Results
Party	Elected	Leading	Total	Vote Share (%)
Updated: Jun. 9, 2009, 10:11 PM ADT
NDP	31	0	31	45.26
LIB	11	0	11	27.22
PC	10	0	10	24.52
GRN	0	0	0	2.33
IND	0	0	0	0.67

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All results are unofficial until final ballot counts are verified by Elections Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Votes Headlines

Dexter to present budget in early fall: The day after his party's historic win, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Darrell Dexter said it will be early fall before his government will be able to present a budget in the legislature.
N.S. voter turnout 59 per cent: preliminary count: Voter turnout was 59 per cent Tuesday among Nova Scotians who were registered prior to the provincial election, an Elections Nova Scotia spokesman said Wednesday.
Michael tips hat to Dexter on NDP win in N.S.: Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democratic Party leader has sent a congratulatory message to Nova Scotia premier-designate Darrell Dexter, following Tuesday night's resounding win in that province's election.
N.S. voters elect 1st NDP government: Nova Scotia has its first NDP government — and a majority government at that — ending a decade of rule by the Progressive Conservatives, who have been reduced to third-party status.
MacDonald's Tories turfed by disenchanted voters: Nova Scotia voters refused to give the Progressive Conservatives a fourth straight mandate in Tuesday's provincial election.

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