The provincial and federal governments have signed bilateral agreements that will lead to better wages for home support workers, and improved access to drugs for rare diseases. In St. John’s on Friday, Health Minister John Hogan, Federal Health Minister Mark Holland, and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings announced over $47 million will be spent. Hutchings says the first bilateral agreement includes $22 million for drugs for rare diseases, namely Poteligeo, for the treatment of mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome, and Oxlumo, for the treatment of hyperoxaluria type 1. The other $25 million is to increase wages for 6,000 home support workers.
Other stories in this CKVB Newscast include RCMP on east coast wearing body cameras starting today; Fisheries Minister to speak at Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) Convention; and RCMP Constable Pellerin awards MADD Canada’s Police Officer of the Year.
With files from Dean Clarke and Sarah Thompson
