Response to Statement by Claudia Chender

All Members:

Late yesterday I was made aware of remarks made in the Nova Scotia Legislature by the Leader of the NSNDP Claudia Chender that were very discouraging to hear especially because in my role as your Business Manager I speak frequently to members of the Legislature. All parties have been most helpful and accommodating in many meeting, at Public Accounts when I make presentations on your behalf and therefore I was disappointed hearing Claudia’s remarks.

I composed a letter which I am attaching that I sent to Claudia Chender expressing my concern with such a statement and a small bit of education as to our paramedics in the Province of Nova Scotia. Paramedics will always be like family to me, when you hurt I hurt and as long as I represent the Paramedics of Nova Scotia I will always defend my paramedic family. Shortly after sending my letter via email I received a reply from Claudia Chender acknowledging that she had made a mistake and meant to reference “paramedics driving ambulances” and she apologized for her poor choice of words. She also issued a statement on social media to this effect and offered to discuss this matter further should I wish to do so.

This statement that she made will sting for some time however I am pleased that she took ownership and apologized immediately realizing that our members and the general public were outraged by the lack of respectful language. Thank you for the tremendous job that you all do everyday at great personal risk to sustain our emergency healthcare system. Take care and be safe.

Best Regards,

Kevin MacMullin

Attached Letter to NDP’s Claudia Chender