Article content“This year, for long-term care facilities, it has increased to $15.6 billion,” Bourgeois told the committee.Article content“The additional $7 billion covers 48 new facilities or new contracts, nine new service and development agreements, which would include some development construction costs as well, but all 25 years out. And then 39 of them are updated service and funding agreements for existing facilities.”Article content NDP MLA Lisa Lachance. – RYAN TAPLIN Photo by Ryan TaplinArticle contentCritics questioned why the province hasn’t initiated competitive processes and follow the procurement act, especially now that costs have eclipsed $15 billion.Article content“In the auditor general report, there’s a note that so many replacement beds weren’t going through competitive procurement processes,” NDP MLA Lisa Lachance said at the committee meeting. “These are large, 25-year contracts, an historical investment, and time and time again we really consider it important that government use competitive processes so that we know we’re getting the best for Nova Scotians.Article contentArticle content“Governments have limited money, we’re in a debt crisis in this province and we need to know that we’re doing the absolute best.”Article contentThe seniors and long-term care deputy minister said the province will seek “potential approaches going forward that could include public tendering of replacement builds.”Article content“We’re looking at the options; that work is not complete yet. It’s very much underway, and when we have more information, we’ll share it,” Lora MacEachern told the committee.Article content Lora MacEachern, deputy minister with the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care. – RYAN TAPLIN Photo by Ryan TaplinArticle content“We agree that ensuring value for money through competitive procurement is important. The procurement act has been and continues to be complied with. We do recognize the crux of the auditor general’s recommendation . . . for us to look at the approach going forward as it relates to . . . a right-of-first-refusal for existing facilities. That’s part of the work that’s happening now. We’re looking at the best approach for those circumstances going forward.”Article contentArticle contentLiberal MLA Iain Rankin questioned why the province didn’t go to tender.Article content“We’re talking about $15 billion of spending,” Rankin said. “Why wouldn’t you consider putting those things that you value to keep that proponent in place in a competitive tender, just to ensure that we’re maximizing the value for money?”Article contentThe Department of Seniors and Long-term Care announced in 2021, soon after the Tim Houston Progressive Conservatives came into power, that 5,700 new and replacement nursing home beds would be completed by 2032.Article contentMacEachern told the committee that 1,000 new and replacement beds have been built, and 2,000 more are under construction.Article contentShe added that five of 54 new facilities are complete, and another 18 are currently being built.Article content Liberal MLA Iain Rankin. – RYAN TAPLIN Photo by Ryan Taplin /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle content“We’re quite confident 5,700 beds will be completed by 2032, as promised,” MacEachern said.Article content“It’s a big project. It’s a historic investment in long-term care infrastructure, the largest in over a decade. We are really pleased with the progress we’re making.
Ambitious Nova Scotia plan to add nursing home beds eclipses $15 billion
