For Immediate Release
November 29, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) was troubled to learn that two more freezer units to store bodies were recently added in the parking garage of the Health Sciences Centre. Dinn demands government address the cost of living issue for families that results in bodies piling up.
Dinn says that since the NDP brought this issue to light, government has been taking the “out of sight, out of mind” approach, moving the freezer units into a parking garage. He says it’s time for government to realize that it is not addressing the root cause for unclaimed bodies, and to work on creating a permanent solution.
“We need to address why bodies are being left to pile up, not just installing another freezer unit and calling the problem solved just because the general population can’t see them anymore. Families deserve much better than this.”
Dinn says government must index the existing assistance program to inflation, simplify the application process, and review protocols and policies. These are the solutions that he brought to the House of Assembly and the Minister ignored.
“It’s clear by government adding more freezers that they have not solved any problems. Raising the Funeral Assistance Program up to $5,000 was a first step. However, there is no guarantee that families will receive that full amount,” said Dinn.
“I continue to hear from people that the process to apply for the Funeral Assistance Program is confusing and can be hard especially for families who are mourning a loved one. With something as sensitive as a loved one dying, we need to ensure that red tape isn’t holding people up.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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