Municipal units in the country are prioritizing rural healthcare..

A resolution was passed at the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference, calling on Ottawa to make healthcare accessible and equal for all.

President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities Pam Mood says it can be a challenge.

“I think we all know at least here in Nova Scotia, it’s difficult to access a doctor and mental health services, along with other aspects. We want to have a voice to make sure that’s happening,” said Mood, who is also the Mayor of Yarmouth.

Mood adds that healthcare is a provincial mandate, and they can only do so much.

But having that voice at the federal level is very important.

“I think sometimes we feel we’re all alone in this, but we’re not. It’s happening from B.C. right to Nova Scotia.”

She says out-of-the-box ideas are needed in healthcare.

Mood adds that municipalities are taking more of an active role in doctor recruitment and local service delivery.