No rural hospital closures, Gallant promises as Day 2 of campaign wraps

Health care and seniors were front and centre on Day 2 of New Brunswick's 2018 election campaign.

In Grand Falls, Liberal Leader Brian Gallant promised that no rural hospitals would be closed as long as he was premier.

In addition, the Liberals promised to spend $50 million over 10years to update "the infrastructure and technology of New Brunswick's rural hospitals."

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Gallant also said Liberals would add additional services to rural hospitals so people in those communitiescould get help locally andreduce the pressure on urban hospitals.

An additional $100 million a year would be spent to buy equipment and upgrade hospitals in general, he said.

Options for'aging care'

In Moncton, Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs pledged to "reinvent aging care."

"We're going to respectfully change the discussion on aging care," he said.

"We need to create new lifestyle options for our seniors, and ensure they receive the professional care they require, so they can live the life they want to live."

The PCs want to consult with seniors about "how they want to live" and support those who want to "age in place" and protect their assets.

They also pledged to pay home care workers a "fair wage."

In Saint John, NDPLeader Jennifer McKenzie announced the party's LGBTQ platform with Olivier Hebert, the candidate for Fredericton West-Hanwell.

Green Party Leader David Coon was campaigninginDouglas, which is part of the Fredericton-York riding, withlocal candidate AmandaWildeman.

People's Alliance of New Brunswick Leader Kris Austin did nothave anyscheduled eventsFriday.

On Saturday, Gallant will be in Cocagne to make a campaign announcement and will then travel to Moncton for Pride festivities.

Coon will start his day in Fredericton at a Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day event before travelling to Moncton for Pride festivities.

Schedules for Higgs, McKenzie and Austin were not immediately available.