News Release Archive
HEALTH--HEALTH DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO DOCTORS' VOTE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Health Minister Bernie Boudreau expressed regret today over a decision by Nova Scotia doctors to reject an agreement to help address an overrun in the budget for physician services. In doing so, the members of the Nova Scotia Medical Society have chosen to follow measures already contained in a 1995 agreement. "We had hoped the doctors would choose the new agreement worked out with the Medical Society because we thought it would be less painful," said Mr. Boudreau. "However, the doctors obviously preferred to continue with the previous arrangement." The 1995 agreement was negotiated and signed by the government and the Medical Society as a way to include doctors in a three per cent rollback of public sector wages. The new agreement, rejected by the doctors in a vote released today, was negotiated over the past several months. "Public sector workers made a sacrifice to help the government balance the provincial budget for the first time in 25 years," said Mr. Boudreau. "By releasing the doctors from their contractual commitment to participate in this effort, we would jeopardize the balanced budget this year. That is simply not an option." Mr. Boudreau said the government would forward details to the Medical Society of how it will implement the 1995 agreement before April 1, when it takes effect. -30- Contact: Lori MacLean 902-424-5025 trp Jan. 16, 1997 - 4:22 p.m.