NDP premier steps up criticism of Liberal health plan ahead of Tuesday’s vote

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia NDP Premier Darrell Dexter is stepping up his criticism of the Liberal plan for health care, saying he has heard from voters that it is the main concern on their minds before they cast ballots Tuesday.

Dexter says people in rural areas are angry that the Liberals are promising to cut the number of the province’s health boards from 10 to two because they fear it will jeopardize their access to care.

He says other provinces such as New Brunswick and Alberta have tried to restructure their health systems in a similar way but that resulted in higher administrative costs.

His message builds upon one he delivered earlier this week, when he said health was the fundamental issue of the campaign.

The Liberals say cutting the number of health boards would save $13 million that they would be put back into frontline patient care.

At dissolution, the NDP held 31 seats in the legislature, followed by the Liberals at 12 and the Progressive Conservatives with seven.

There were also two vacancies.