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Health authority CEOs, board chairs ordered to Vancouver to release details of cuts rather than facing the music in regional centers

The Campbell Liberals are ordering health authority CEOs and board chairs to release details of deep health cuts in Vancouver next week rather than in their own regions, the Hospital Employees’ Union (CUPE) has learned.

“It’s an unbelievable and insensitive move by this government that contradicts its claims that health authorities are in the driver’s seat when it comes to implementing policy,” says HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt.

“Rather than briefing regional media and the public from Prince George, Kelowna, Surrey or Victoria, health authority executives will take part in a carefully orchestrated marathon media briefing in Vancouver.

“That’s an insult to every community in the province that loses a hospital and to every worker that gets a pink slip as a result of next week’s announcements,” adds Allnutt. HEU believes a six-hour media briefing will take place in downtown Vancouver - likely on Tuesday, April 23.

Allnutt says actions like this are contributing to the public’s distrust of Premier Campbell on health care. Yesterday the union released polling data that showed that two out of three British Columbians don’t trust Campbell to protect public health care.

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Contact:Mike Old, communications officer,
604-456-7039 (direct), - 604-828-6771 (cell)