NDP MLA Eric Redhead asked his first question as Thompson’s representative in the Manitoba legislature on the first day of the session Sept. 28, seeking an answer from the health minister about foot-care services in the northern city.
Redhead, a former chief of Shamattawa First Nation who handily won a June byelection to fill the vacancy created by former Thompson MLA Danielle Adams’s death in December 2021, asked Health Minister Audrey Gordon if foot-care services would be restored in Thompson.
Gordon dodged the question, noting that she had been in Thompson and Norway House earlier in the week and adding that the government had announced $4.3 million in funding for 37 additional nurse training spots at University College of the North earlier in the year.
“That didn’t answer my question,” said Redhead on followup, ending by asking it once more. “Will the minister do the right thing and restore foot-care service to Thompson, Manitoba?”
Gordon did not directly answer once more, mentioning that she had been in Thomson to witness the signing of a declaration against Indigenous-specific racism in Northern Manitoba health care and saying that the PCs have invested $812 million in rural and northern healthcare services.
Redhead said money spent on foot-care services, restoration of which has been supported by more than 2,400 people who signed a petition, can save further spending down the road.
“One toe amputation cost $14,000, where a visit to foot-care service costs 50 bucks,” said Redhead.
Gordon said she was in the north over the summer to listen to people and that the NDP don’t have a plan to listen to Manitobans.
