« It’s good news. The last thing we need to do is be sending more money out of the province for services that we can provide inside the province … We need to reduce that economic leakage. »- David Coon
Article by: KATRINA CLARKE
Photo by: BNI ARCHIVE
David Coon is calling the province’s stalled talks with Sodexo « good news, » saying it could open the door for in-province business partners.
Green Party Leader David Coon says the province’s stalled talks with Sodexo is « good news » that could open doors for local food providers to get into the province’s hospitals. Coon’s comments come a day after French multinational Sodexo confirmed talks with the province over providing private food, cleaning and portering services in hospitals have hit a dead end. Speaking Wednesday, Health Minister Benoît Bourque said the deal is not dead but that the government is exploring other options.
« It’s good news, » Coon said of the stalled talks. « The last thing we need to do is be sending more money out of the province for services that we can provide inside the province … We need to reduce that economic leakage. »The Green leader has been an outspoken critic of the province’s plans to privatize the hospital services, advocating instead for a made-in-New-Brunswick solution. « There are tremendous opportunities that are now opened up as a result of this falling through, » he said.
He suggested Collaboration in Agrifood New Brunswick (CANB), a local co-op that distributes food from local farmers to 60 school cafeterias in the province, could fill the void.Philippe Gervais, president of board of directors with CANB, said the co-op would « absolutely » welcome the opportunity. »If the door would open we would be very happy to provide [food to] hospitals, » he said.
Gervais said CANB is already in talks with some New Brunswick hospitals.Coon said bringing in CANB would benefit farmers, rural economies and patients alike – offering fresher, locally grown food. « It’s a no-brainer that part of getting better has to be having good, healthy food, » he said.