NDP Hiding Surgical Wait Times Data from Manitobans
Time for NDP to be transparent and accountable to Manitobans: Cook
WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s Official Opposition is calling on the NDP government to update the online diagnostic and surgical wait times tracker, and tell Manitobans the truth about the impact of Wab Kinew’s decision to cut surgical options.
“After deleting the tracker entirely, then claiming that it was a mistake after being caught, the NDP have not provided any updates on surgical wait times since taking office,” said Kathleen Cook, PC Shadow Minister for Health. “The NDP cut the surgical and diagnostic task force with absolutely no plan for the interim. After months of preventing Manitobans from accessing the wait times data, it’s clear that the NDP are attempting to hide the true consequences of their short-sighted decision.”
Dr. Peter MacDonald, one of Manitoba’s top doctors, recently spoke out about the success of the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, which funded more than 80,000 procedures that would not have been funded otherwise. By abruptly cutting the task force, the NDP has forced Manitobans to wait longer in pain—and without a time frame, as the Wait Time Dashboard has not been updated since August.
“The NDP are turning their backs on the very election campaign they ran,” said Cook. “They spoke almost entirely about healthcare. Now they’re cutting surgical options while hiding the truth from Manitobans. It’s time to be transparent.”
The Official Opposition is calling on the NDP to release wait time data by this time next week, February 16.
“There is no excuse not to release this information, unless the NDP are hiding even more than they’re letting on—which should worry all Manitobans,” added Cook.
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