Manitoba Liberal candidate says closing hospitals would reduce wait times

BRANDON, Man. — A Liberal candidate in the Manitoba provincial election says healthcare wait times could be reduced if some hospitals were closed.

Billy Moore, a last minute political entry in the Brandon West constituency, says the availability of hospital emergency rooms encourages people to use them.

He says people are going to hospitals for ailments such as headaches instead of treating themselves.

Moore says he knows his views are not those of the party, but personally believes two hospitals in Winnipeg should be closed.

Moore, who is 76, decided to become a candidate last week and filed his nomination two hours before Tuesday’s deadline.

The Liberals scrambled to try to fill all 57 slots for the election, and have had five candidates rejected by Elections Manitoba.