New Brunswick

FREDERICTON — Union rejects freeze The lowest-paid nurses in Canada will not accept Premier Bernard Lord's one-year wage freeze for public sector workers. On April 1, the president of the New Brunswick Nurses Union, Debbie McGraw, said there was no point in continuing negotiations. The union insists that at the current pay rate, there is little incentive for nurses to stay in New Brunswick. JC

MIRAMICHI — Contin quandary OxyContin (steet name contin), a drug already making waves in Newfoundland, has now made its way to the Miramichi region. Increasing incidents of drug abuse and drug-related violence are mobilizing the community into action. A near-fatal overdose by a local man has spurred local residents to organize protests in front of suspected drug houses in early April. JC

Nova Scotia

HALIFAX — Death and taxes Scrambling to make up a $110-million revenue shortfall, the provincial government is contemplating a health surtax. The proposal would levy up to $750 a year for Nova Scotians who earn a yet to be determined annual income. The surtax would be in effect until federal funding to the province increases. The government is officially mum on the controversial proposal. "No I can't confirm that. I don't have knowledge of that," says Finance Minister Peter Christie. BH

HALIFAX — Fed up with the feds Premier John Hamm says that if Ottawa will not fund a greater share of healthcare, other options will be considered at upcoming federal-provincial negotiations. "Everything is going to be on the table at that meeting — everything," said Premier Hamm. Health costs in the province are rising by more than 7% a year, while revenues grow by just 3%. BH

Prince Edward Island

CHARLOTTETOWN — Quit for cash The PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance (PETRA) hopes $1,000 will convince Islanders to quit smoking or not even start in the first place. PETRA launched its Quit and Win — Don't Start and Win 2004 campaign in Charlottetown as an initiative to help smokers quit and to encourage non-smoking youth to remain smoke-free. There are two grand prizes of $1,000 being given out. The campaign is open to all Islanders aged 15 or older. BM

SUMMERSIDE — More budget woes The PEI government insists it will be able to tackle new initiatives despite a budget brought down on March 30 that amounts to a freeze in the health department. Health Minister Chester Gillan said his department's 2004-05 estimate was $428 million compared to $414 million last year and that spending has surpassed what the numbers indicate. The department has cut back on its investments in technology and has finished booking the costs of the new Prince County Hospital. BM

Newfoundland

ST.JOHN'S — Only the essentials A labour dispute involving more than 20,000 civil servants throughout the province has resulted in delays for patients waiting for surgery and diagnostic procedures. A week prior to a strike deadline of April 1, hospitals began cancelling all elective surgeries and scheduled procedures including lab and x-ray appointments. However, emergency care is continuing as usual. The workers, including hospital support staff, walked off the job as scheduled. Wages are the major issue. DSS

ST. JOHN'S — Fundraisers that kill The food-poisoning death of a 73-year-old Trinity Bay woman has prompted the Department of Health to consider regulating or even banning the sale of cold plates in community fundraisers. Chief Medical Examiner Dr Simon Avis said the woman's death was caused by necrotizing enterocolitis from food-borne bacteria in the meals sold at a Salvation Army fundraiser. Health Minister Elizabeth Marshall expects to make a decision on the issue by early summer. DSS

Yukon

WHITEHORSE — Dishing out the dough Premier and Finance Minister Dennis Fentie is pumping cash into Yukon's health branch, thanks to new funding from the federal government. Some of the increased funding will go towards primary healthcare ($1.9 million) and the opening of seven more beds in Macaulay Lodge and 12 new beds in Copper Ridge Place ($1.8 million). JH

Nunavut

IQALUIT — Close to home The recent opening of the Tukisigiarvik Centre in Iqaluit reflects Nunavut's intent to bring health and social services closer to home. The centre's many services range from healing to practical help with such issues as homelessness, family problems, parenting, anger management, traditional skills and dealing with the government or potential employers. A children's rehabilitation team will set up an office next door and within a few months there will be a family clinic across the street. JG

Northwest Territories

YELLOWKNIFE — TB TV A new video has been released by the territorial health department to update the northern population on tuberculosis (TB). This initiative comes as a response to the death of Effie Blake, who died of TB four years ago. Healthcare workers were unable to properly diagnose Ms Blake until it was too late. The NWT health minister explained that TB is still a major problem in the territory, especially in the Dogrib region, Lutsel'ke and the Sahtu. CS

Contributors: Paula Baker, Gail Helgason, Jacqui Clydesdale, Toss Taylor, Bill McGuire, Brian Hoyle, Deanna Stokes-Sullivan, John Hewson, Jane George, Carla Sparks