FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2024
Statement from Karla Bernard, Leader of the Third Party, on the Caregiver Grant and Premier King’s Broken Promises
Charlottetown, PE – The Caregiver Grant is a crucial support program that was promised during the 2023 election by Premier Dennis King. It was then included in the 2023/24 budget with an allocation of $5.2 million. However, despite these commitments, not a single dollar has reached a caregiver on Prince Edward Island to date.
Our long-term care facilities are struggling to meet the growing demand, rates in public care facilities increased for the second time in less than a year, and many Islanders are forced to sit in hospital beds instead of being cared for in their homes. This grant would provide much-needed assistance to families who are already caring for their loved ones at home, or those who would like to if financial supports were available. Caregiving is not and should not be considered free labour. It is vital work that deserves the highest priority from our government.
This past November when I asked the Minister of Health for an update on the program, he assured me that the program would launch before the end of 2023. I asked again in February of this year and was told again that the program would be “launched very soon.” Months went by and by April we were told that government was waiting on a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). At that point, the Minister stated he was going to get the Premier’s Office involved. Unfortunately, it appears no progress has been made.
For over a year, we have been told that the grant is “coming soon.” However, the recent approach of blaming the CRA for delays only highlights the King government’s lack of foresight in planning and delivering on their promises. Caregivers and their families deserve better. They deserve immediate action and the support that was promised to them. It is time for the government to deliver on its commitment and ensure that this vital grant is distributed without further delay.
It’s disingenuous for Premier King to make election promises to Islanders when he has no interest in actually keeping them. Government must prioritize getting this program off the ground and fulfill its promise to families across PEI.
Karla Bernard
Leader of the Third Party
MLA Charlottetown-Victoria Park
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca