New Brunswick seniors deserve better from their government, said Green Party Leader David Coon, and COVID-19 has shown us how much they need our attention and immediate action.   

“We would ensure the Department of Health moves immediately to permit a close family member to be designated as a family care-giver so they can resume their role as part of the senior’s care team in New Brunswick nursing and special care homes. Following COVID 19 protocols, these loved ones could return to feeding their loved ones, reduce the burden on overworked staff, end the feelings of isolation, bring happiness to their daily lives and improve their overall well being,” he said.  “The status quo is cruel.  It’s heartbreaking.”

“I am also asking the Chief Electoral Officer to designate the first two hours everyday the returning offices are open exclusively for seniors and other vulnerable people so they can vote in a safer environment,” said Coon. “This will help reduce the stress and anxiety they may face having to choose to vote in person in a provincial election during a pandemic.” 

Coon announced that a Green government would redesign senior care in New Brunswick to focus on the quality of life and quality of care of nursing home residents by increasing the hours of care residents receive, increase wages for workers and spearhead a model that takes profit out of the equation. 

“We cannot ethically stand by and allow the care of our parents and grandparents to increasingly be taken care of by for-profit companies who are accountable to shareholders, not the community,” said Coon. “We can and must do better.” 

More details on the Green Party of New Brunswick’s focus on seniors will be provided in the 2020 Green Party Platform to be released in the coming days.