The Government of New Brunswick has announced an $8M upgrade to Mount Saint Joseph Nursing home. This is certainly needed as the Mount is an older building that needs a lot of upgrades but this does not solve the problem of a shortage of beds. We currently have a large number of seniors occupying hospital beds and we seen over 30 of our acute hospital beds designated as ALC (Alternate Level of Care) beds. Essentially over 30 of our beds that were intended for sick patients in need of medical attention, have been turned into Nursing Home "waiting" beds. This is unacceptable. Miramichi has one of the highest senior populations in the province and yet virtually every other major center in the province has had new nursing homes built or approved. WE MATTER ALSO!! It's time Miramichi be treated like the rest of the Province.... please sign this petition!!!