Meanwhile, Doctors Nova Scotia criticized what they called the government’s inaction on small-business taxes that affect physicians. They pointed out that New Brunswick, which recently made tax adjustments to enhance doctors’ incomes, has now widened its advantageous compensation gap with its sister province. That could hurt recruitment efforts, which received an extra $200,000 in Tuesday’s budget.

According to Doctors Nova Scotia the 2019 provincial budget does nothing to offset physician losses. We hear from the director of finance Kevin Chapman.

According to Dr. Tim Holland, Doctors Nova Scotia is supportive of the collaborative care model, but he added, “everyone in Nova Scotia deserves access to a family physician.”

“That doesn’t mean all the other care providers don’t have their role. One day a patient may see a nurse practitioner about a common health problem, but sometimes when a certain problem presents itself, it’s better suited to a physician.”

"I think we have to still look at the question: how do we meet the needs of those who need prenatal education the most but still meet the needs of those who want it? And so that's going to be a larger question for the system," said Dr. Tim Holland.