Alzheimer's funding limbo called 'shameful'
Last Updated: Friday, November 27, 2009 | 7:38 AM AT
CBC News
Caregivers and family of people with Alzheimer's disease filled the public gallery of the P.E.I. legislature Thursday, but still didn't get an answer about funding support they've been waiting for since April.
"It was a shame. A shame on the government of Prince Edward Island," Beverly Acorn-Lemieux, a board member with the Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island, told Health Minister Doug Currie in the hallway outside the legislature.
Acorn-Lemieux was upset that Currie had dodged questions about funding for the Alzheimer Society, despite being asked about it several times during question period.
"We have 20 people up here who are passionate about this, and we were asking today for an answer," said Acorn-Lemieux.
"We got nothing. We got a runaround as far as I'm concerned. And I think if I asked all the people that were up there, I think they're going to agree with that."
The society requested $30,000 from government in April to help with programming.
Outside the house, Currie told Acorn-Lemieux and the others who approached him that he understands their situation.
"Obviously people are very upset, but I'm just not able to make a financial commitment on the floor of the house," he said.
"As I stated, we'll certainly look at ways that we can partner."
Both sides agreed to get together soon for a meeting and Currie promised to try to figure out a way for government to help out.
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