Bruce MacIntosh defends choice of Campbellton for youth centre

Campbellton Mayor Bruce MacIntosh is fighting back against critical reaction to his city being chosen as the home of a new youth treatment centre.

Bernard Richard, the province's former child and youth advocate, and others have said Moncton would have been a better choice, given its close proximity to universities and the larger population base in the south of the province.

MacIntosh has had enough of the criticism.

"It's a fiscal responsible deal and he should look at that and he should realize that there's more to New Brunswick than Moncton," said MacIntosh.

"We are a bilingual facility, an area here that provides services in both official languages, and we certainly have nothing to learn from Bernard Richard."

We certainly have nothing to learn from Bernard Richard.- Bruce MacIntosh, Campbellton mayor

Health Minister Victor Boudreau and Campbellton-Dalhousie MLA Donald Arseneault say Campbellton was chosen as the site because it's already home to a psychiatric hospital and by putting the youth treatment centre near it, a "cluster" of expertise in mental health treatment can be developed in Campbellton.

"I think the major success of this centre of excellence — they should be pleased that we're going to have it here in our province," said Boudreau.

Another criticism of the Campbellton selection is the city's northern location will mean people from the more heavily populated south will have to spend hours driving to Campbellton to visit family members in care.

MacIntosh is quick to point out northern residents routinely drive south for treatment of cancer, cardiac problems and trauma services.

Natalie Langlois, a clinical nurse specialist at the Restigouche Hospital Centre says the area has already established expertise in mental health and has been going out of its way to accommodate youth.

"Because the Restigouche Hospital doesn't have the mandate for the youth but the court couldn't send them anywhere and it's like the province was stuck, so they send them to us," she said.

"And so we were king of putting all our efforts to give our best care to them and we have great success."

Langlois said the Restigouche Hospital currently receives youth as young as 12 years of age for treatment.

Construction of the $12.6 million, 15-bed facility is scheduled to take place next year and open in the fall of 2016.