Liberals reject motion that would put onus for interim veterans’ care on N.S.

The Liberal majority on the veterans affairs committee in Nova Scotia has rejected a motion from the opposition to ask the province to take on the responsibility for some veterans’ care.

Progressive Conservative MLA Eddie Orrell suggested the committee send a letter to Premier Stephen McNeil and Health Minister Leo Glavine asking that Nova Scotia allow veterans temporary access to the Camp Hill hospital while requests for permanent care are being processed federally.

The motion was put forward after a Norwegian veteran from the Second World War was denied access to Camp Hill, even though he lives in Nova Scotia. Ninety-four year-old Petter Blindheim was ultimately allowed into the hospital after his story made international headlines.

READ MORE: Norwegian WWII veteran Petter Blindheim moves into Camp Hill

Nova Scotia has the power to temporarily place patients at Camp Hill. Orrell said he wanted that clause to be used so veterans like Blindheim get appropriate care while they wait for formal approval to access special veterans’ care units. He says the province’s health plan already covers the care for veterans while they wait for Veterans Affairs approval.

“If we’re going to pay for that service in a nursing home, why not pay for it in Camp Hill where the veteran should be to get the services that veterans deserve?” Orrell said after the motion was defeated.

Liberal MLA Iain Rankin said the move would “let the federal government off the hook” of its responsibility to pay for veterans’ care.

In addition to Rankin, Halifax-area MLAs Joachim Stroink, Ben Jessome and Brendan Maguire voted against the motion.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says a new agreement with Veterans Affairs Canada should lead to fewer cases like Blindheim’s.

The committee passed a second motion asking for a status update on the new agreement within three-months time.