Fredericton – David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick and MLA for Fredericton South is dismayed at the government’s move to parcel out hospital services management to Sodexo.

“The Gallant government has decided to privatize the management of our hospital services at the expense of 280 full time jobs,” said Coon. “This is a big mistake.”

British Colombia, Ontario, and Québec have privatized management of hospital services before and they have seen massive job loss, lawsuits from previously unionized workers, and higher rates of infection, including instances of superbugs like MRSA and C.difficile. Many hospitals have taken back the management of their food and cleaning services.

The move to privatize hospital services will save government between $7.9M and $9.3M. But at what cost?

“Our government just announced it is handing $8.6M to Sears,” said Coon. “We are willing to gamble with millions in corporate hand-outs, but our government will sacrifice local jobs across the province on the promise of cost savings.”

“Hospital services should be run at the hospital level and they should create good local jobs in the communities where they exist,” said Coon. “Privatization is not the answer.”