Amendment Provides Flexibility to Bill 68

HEALTH/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION--Amendment Provides Flexibility to Bill 68

The government introduced an amendment to Bill 68 today, that allows for more flexibility in application of the legislation.

The amendment permits the government to enact the legislation on a case by case basis in order to protect public health and safety.

With the amendment, the government is saying the bill - An Act to Continue Health Care Services - will only be applied in a situation where there is an imminent impact on the health and safety of Nova Scotians. The legislation continues to permit collective bargaining to continue.

"The government wants negotiated settlements with all health care professionals," said Justice Minister Michael Baker, who chairs the law amendments committee of the legislature. "This amendment makes it clear that our intention is to only act in response to a situation where a pending strike has begun to impact health and safety."

Nurses have agreed to return to conciliation, and Mr. Baker said the government remains optimistic that negotiated settlements with nurses and other health professionals are possible.

"The amendment may help the bargaining process to proceed in a more positive environment," said the minister.

The bill itself will continue to advance through the legislative process. The allied health care workers in the Capital District Health Authority, are in a countdown to a strike, and could walk off the job as early as June 27, unless the bill is in effect.