Statement on New Brunswick receiving COVID-19 aid

The New Brunswick Medical Society is pleased to learn that New Brunswick will receive $218 million in funding from the federal government’s Safe Restart Agreement to support the province’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of this funding is dedicated to expanding COVID-19 testing, tracing, and data management; personal protective equipment (PPE) for health-care workers; health system capacity; and support for vulnerable populations. This is positive news for our health system and for patients. New Brunswick has fared better than many jurisdictions during the pandemic thanks to the guidance and leadership of Public Health and government and the hard work of health-care professionals. The New Brunswick Medical Society has collaborated with the province through the pandemic to expand virtual care and support community-based physicians with PPE, and we would be pleased to work with the provincial government to determine how best to use this new funding to optimize the health system and support patient care.

Chris Goodyear, president, New Brunswick Medical Society