Where to from here -
There were a number of issues in the news recently that I wanted to address in this week's column.
The alcohol ban in Natuashish, an increase in moose licenses throughout the province and the controversy surrounding the crab fishery were all preoccupying my thoughts. I had in fact completed the column I thought you would be reading now when what came across the wire Thursday past sent me into a frenzy that could not be ignored.
I was traveling along the highway as a passenger, casually commenting on the messy spring weather and dramatic resurgence of potholes when Carolyn Rae of CBC Radio blasted me with another gem of brilliance from of our provincial Minister of Health. In response to the recent tragedy in Labrador West, our Conservative government has decided to transfer medical evacuation flights from St. Anthony to Goose Bay. Upon hearing this I began stabbing the dashboard with my forefinger in such frustration that I am sure the cameraman (who was driving) must have thought me cracked. Instead of finding the means to obtain the obviously and undeniably necessary third medical aircraft, Minister Kennedy has decided to set ablaze the fierce fires of infighting.
This appears to be the most popular and consistent political strategy utilized by our current Tory government. Incite inward feuding amongst residents of our geographically challenged province whenever a scandal or crisis arises. It is the most effective means of diverting the public's attention from the matter at hand. The matter being that two medical aircraft for our aging, sparsely populated and vast province has repeatedly proven to be insufficient. The matter being that an additional aircraft is required to ensure that another tragedy does not occur.
Ah...but an additional aircraft requires money to be invested in areas of Newfoundland and Labrador that hold little importance in the House of Assembly which is why a game of 'That's Mine' has commenced. In this corner: residents of the economically devastated Great Northern Peninsula. In that corner: residents of the irrefutably isolated Big Land. Ding, ding, ding, Fight!
Rather than bombard the government with disgust at how irresponsibly they have divided us once again, I fear we will flood the open lines with reasons why we feel our own region should be Medevac central. And to complicate the round, Minister Kennedy proceeded to let slip that a third aircraft could be stationed in Deer Lake thus effectively inviting another region into the ring.
Now, I hope that the essential information is not forgotten during the maneuvering that will likely ensue. I hope that the residents of the Northern Peninsula and Labrador stay focused and unified rather than embark on a pity squabble concerning the aircraft we already share. But mostly I hope that the 'Powers That Be' realize that this is no way to address a medical necessity. You would think they had made enough mistakes recently to learn a lesson or two but alas, apparently they have learned nothing. I suppose it will take another death, this time likely on the Northern Peninsula, to teach them that shifting a problem around does not solve it. It's merely shifting.
And why is the new medical aircraft and crew to be located in St. John's if St. John's is indeed the emergency destination? Why is an air ambulance suddenly no longer feasible in St. Anthony when it has been stationed there since the service was initiated? Why is it that the Minister of Health hasn't informed the public that a medevac aircraft is unable to actually land in the coastal and southern Labrador regions due to insufficient landing strips? Why is it the Straits/White Bay district lose an essential service after voting Liberal in the last by-election? And why is it these major announcements always seem to reach us at day's and week's end? Why? Why? Why?
Because the government intends to divide and conquer us by being deceitful, spiteful and manipulative.
That's why.
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