Home care services, rental housing cash among NDP pledges

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NDP leader Greg Selinger announces an additional ambulance for Brandon and expanded home care at Brandon Firehall No. 1 Saturday afternoon. At left is Brandon East candidate Drew Caldwell, and at right, Brandon West candidate Jim Murray. (JAMES O'CONNOR / BRANDON SUN)

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 A new ambulance and more home care services in Brandon and financial support for 2,500 new private-sector rental housing units across the province were promised by Premier Greg Selinger today.

Selinger, during a campaign swing through the Wheat City, said if the NDP are reelected a new ambulance for peak hours, as well as four full-time paramedics to staff it, will be brought in. The ambulance is estimated to cost about $400,000 per year.

Selinger also promised to expand home care by adding more staffing during the evening and weekend. It would cost about $190,000.

"Health care is a priority for the people of Brandon and Westman, and it’s a priority for Today’s NDP," Selinger said in a statement.

"Nothing is more important than your family’s health. Today’s announcement further improves health services for the growing community of Brandon."

Meanwhile, Selinger said his government would give a $25 million grant to encourage private developers to build 500 new rental units with rent below median levels.

As well, Selinger said the government would develop 1,000 new multi-family and senior housing units in Winnipeg’s suburbs including Waverley West and Meadows West as well as 1,000 new units in downtown Winnipeg and Brandon by allowing the developers to reinvest the incremental property taxes back into the project for 15 years.

"This investment will help relieve some of the pressure on those looking for rent," he said.

Selinger also announced a new program which would see patients in western Manitoba needing non-emergency specialized tests and procedures flown by air ambulance to Winnipeg instead of by driving down the highway.

"This new program will shorten the travel time from western Manitoba to Winnipeg, cutting trips to well under an hour from a journey that could sometimes last up to four hours in an ambulance on the road," Selinger said in a statement.

"This new program is about making travel more comfortable for patients."

There are an average of 20 interfacility transfer trips by ambulance from western Manitoba every day.

Meanwhile, while in Dauphin, Selinger announced $300,000 for a new recreation and skateboard park.

"It will help kids stay active and stay busy," Selinger said in a statement.

The D-Town Plaza recreation park will include skateboarding, BMX biking, inline skating and snowboarding.