George Murphy Question Period (05.29.2012)

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East.

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs said in Estimates Committee that he would release the POMAX feasibility study of enhanced 9-11 services at the end of this month. While we are there, Mr. Speaker, we would like to know where the report is

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O’BRIEN: I would like to remind the hon. member that today is May 30 and tomorrow is the May 31, so just wait and see. You might have it by the end of the month.

Thank you.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Member for St. John’s East.

MR. MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is very disappointing that the 9-11 report is not yet released, especially when the provincial air ambulance program is being reviewed at this present time because 9-11 is vital to the optimal functioning of the ambulance service. These two parts, Municipal Affairs and Health and Community Services, should be working in consultation with each other and using this report as a basis for their work.

Mr. Speaker, why does government not see that this is short-sighted to have an ambulance review without knowing what is in the POMAX report?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. O’BRIEN: The hon. member is going to have wait in regard to the report itself and just see exactly what is into it. I want to remind the hon. member that a good portion of this Province is now covered by 9-11, especially in the Avalon region and also in the Corner Brook region. They have a 9-11 service. That is the thing that was missing on your side. You do not do the research in regard to the total process.

We work in concert with the Department of Health all of the time in regard to supporting any kind of service we provide to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a party and this is a government that works together, not like your own that does not know the questions and have to go to the suggestion box to get them over to the Avalon Mall.