“Why is it that every election healthcare ranks high as a concern with voters, yet nothing really changes? I have a concrete plan to attract, train, and retain doctors in rural areas. My plan has been well received by doctors, and by a top Canadian physician recruitment specialist, and I know the CHP plan will work.”

To attract doctors the CHP would offer the incentive of paid tuition for doctors who are willing to specialize in family or rural medicine. This incentive alone would attract a significant number of doctors, many of whom currently graduate with up to $200,000 of debt.

This program is similar to that used by the military to attract students to its officer training. Doctors would then have to contract with a local Health Authority to give a specified number of years of service to a rural community.

Another aspect of the CHP’s healthcare plan would be to immediately fund additional residency spaces for graduating doctors. “Because,” said Hnatiuk, “most Canadians would be shocked to learn that although Canada has a severe shortage of doctors, every year students graduating from medical school are forced to leave Canada to complete their residencies elsewhere because there aren’t enough placements for them.

“These are highlights of my plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia—simple and straight forward solutions that I offer to voters in CCMV. No other candidate has put forward a policy to tackle this issue, which will only get worse unless action is taken now,” said Hnatiuk.

To interview Jim Hnatiuk: 902-259-3222

Contrary to the claim in Mr. Armstrong’s misleading statement, this is not a government bill, but a private member’s bill… And he is not, as he claims, “the only candidate” who represents the people on this.

“Perhaps Mr. Armstrong forgets that I am the owner of Nova Scotia’s largest hunting and fishing store, and a hunter myself, having dealt first-hand with the insult of this issue for years. Firearm owners know they can count on me to take their concerns to Ottawa and fight for their rights,” said Mr. Hnatiuk.

“Those statements are deliberate falsehoods; the desperate claims of a campaign that is failing.

“It’s interesting that a Tory back-bencher has introduced this private member’s bill now, at this stage of this important by-election,” stated Mr. Hnatiuk, “after all, the Tory government has had five years to fulfill its long-standing promise on the long-gun registry. But there has been no action at all from the Conservatives. It’s only now, when the CHP’s campaign is leading in local polls, that something happens…And even now, they have handed the assignment to a back-bencher, with no support from the Cabinet.”

When Mr. Armstrong succumbs to the temptation to play with the truth this way during a campaign, it shows how likely he’d be to bow to party discipline on issue after issue if he went to Ottawa.

“I offer CCMV a clear, voice of integrity in Ottawa, not another echo of the ‘party line’,” concluded Mr. Hnatiuk.

To interview Jim Hnatiuk, call 902-259-3222.

CHP Leader Jim Hnatiuk delivers his opening remarks to a packed house at the Marigold Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia

The candidates came together Monday for their second public debate during the ongoing by-election in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

Addressing the packed house, Jim Hnatiuk presented his case for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, the abolition of the long-gun registry and the need for a strong voice in Ottawa, not shackled by partisan politics.

The Atlantic Gateway Initiative is a program that has widespread support from the provincial, all local municipal governments, and from the Millbrook First Nations, and would be an economic boon to Truro and indeed the entire surrounding area but it is stalled by the lack of federal government funding.

“I want to know why the federal government isn’t responding to the concerns of CCMV? And I want to know why the Prime Minister sent his Fisheries Minister to Truro to tell the people that he is playing politics with their hard-earned tax dollars?” said Hnatiuk.

The Amherst Daily reported on Monday that the best way Cumberland County could get funding was to vote for “a voice on the government side…” “Voters are telling me that they pay their taxes as good Canadians, and they want their community to reap the benefits. They’re going to choose the best voice for CCMV regardless, and they’re smart enough to reject being bribed. I’m hearing from voters at the door that this is exactly the kind of politics they’ve had enough of.

“The tired policies of all of the current federal parties—relying on deficit spending, and increasing taxes lowers our standard of living and weakens our national competitiveness. We need a voice for fiscal responsibility in Ottawa. We can do many things better to benefit not only CCMV, but all of Canada—but it takes a willingness to send a real leader, with better solutions to Ottawa to affect real change.

“Voters need to send a message to Ottawa. They need a strong, fresh voice of integrity to stand against the corrupt partisan politics that all Canadians from coast to coast are tired of. I will be that voice for them,” said Hnatiuk.

To interview: Call Jim Hnatiuk’s campaign office 902-259-3222

CHP Leader and candidate Jim Hnatiuk chats with local folks after the All-Candidates Debate in Pugwash Wednesday night.

Pugwash, Nova Scotia, was the scene of the first All-Candidates Debate on Wednesday night.

Jim Hnatiuk presented the platform of the CHP and the qualities he brings to the position.

He received encouraging feedback after the debate.  The CHP position regarding the abolition of the long-gun registry was appreciated by the crowd. Jim’s answers about the economy, the national debt and the negative impact of outsourcing were a fresh breath against the backdrop of humdrum party politics.

Jim Hnatiuk stops to enjoy the rich autumn colours of the blueberry fields.

On the way from Parrsboro to Springhill, CHP Leader Jim Hnatiuk paused to enjoy the beautiful view of the eye-catching blueberry fields. He comments that the rich colour-blend is similar to CHP’s official colour, lively and rich. Jim recognizes the importance of agriculture and the blueberry harvest to the traditional lifestyle enjoyed by Nova Scotians. Later in the day he visited Oxford, the Blueberry capital of Canada.

While there were times of gusting rain and cold winds, Jim found the people of Parrsboro, Springhill and Oxford to be friendly and enthusiastic about his campaign.

Passing motorists on Willow Street in Truro waved and honked to show their support

On a recent visit to Truro, CHP Leader and candidate, Jim Hnatiuk, received a lot of attention and support from commuters passing the Hnatiuk-mobile   parked beside his large sign across from Tim Horton’s on Willow Street. Several drivers pulled over to talk. Others seemed happy to see Jim out there and greeting them with a wave.

On the doorstep, voters continued to express their disillusionment with “politics as usual” and their interest in real change. Concerns about the shortage of doctors in Nova Scotia rank high among their complaints as well as a general dissatisfaction with party politics and decisions being made in Ottawa that are not in the best interests of the residents of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

Many folks are expressing their willingness to vote for the man and the party that will speak up for them and stand firm on important issues.

Meanwhile, in an article that has received little media attention, a Montreal whistle-blower, in a Canadian Press story released Oct. 16, 2009 revealed that stimulus money in Quebec is being controlled by Mafia-controlled construction companies.

The article reported: “Despite all the public money at stake, the author of several books on the Mafia said he doubts any government in Canada, at any level, will delve into the organized-crime issue.”

“When will the Prime Minister and other Party leaders prove him wrong by speaking out about this issue?” demands Hnatiuk.

“Canadians don’t want their hard-earned income being siphoned into the pockets of organised crime in this country – or any illegitimate destination,” said Hnatiuk. “Voters in CCMV should be concerned that the Conservatives under Stephen Harper and his Attorney General, Rob Nicholson, seem to have done nothing about this issue.”

“These are but two of the issues that expose the dangers of big government that has lost any sense of accountability. Voters of CCMV rejected Mr. Harper’s brand of government in the last election, but they’re still looking for a responsible small ‘c’ conservative government.

“The CHP is the only fiscally and socially responsible federal party in Canada. All other parties rely on ballooning government spending and taxing to bribe voters with their own money. The voters of CCMV have common sense. They know that subjecting future generations of Canadians to crushing tax levels that kills our competitiveness as a nation is not the way forward. The CHP offers better solutions to the issues that face us, and that’s what the voters in CCMV are telling me they want when I knock at their doors,” said Hnatiuk.

Hnatiuk is campaigning hard in Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley during the current by-election.

Contact: Rod Taylor, Campaign Manager for Jim Hnatiuk
1-250-877-8426