It’s all over but the crying.
  
After a seemingly endless deluge of election hype and . . . 

play-by-play coverage of all the bumps along the campaign trail, it’s finally, mercifully over. There were some big upsets, some spicy commentary and more than a few dull moments as Canadians watched the numbers roll in. 
 Though Pontiac residents will see a familiar face representing them in Ottawa, the rest of the House of Commons has been turned on its head, and there’s no telling what those clowns will get up to this term. But let’s leave that analysis to the real pundits and wonks. 
 One of the biggest issues facing Canadians today was recently experienced in microcosm by the residents of Pontiac: access to health care. The spate of service interruptions caused by short-staffing at Pontiac Community Hospital has been picking up over the course of the year. There have been four breaks in obstetrics services since September, and the trend shows no sign of abating. 
 Even for those who aren’t expecting children in the near future, this disturbing trend should be a cause for concern. Obstetrics is a vital pillar in a small hospital, up there with the emergency medicine or anesthesiology, and it could be the canary in the coal mine for what’s to come. 
 Management at CISSSO have been trying to shore up local staff, even going so far as to ask retired employees to come in and pick up some shifts. But in the midst of a province-wide labour shortage, it’s a bit like raking leaves on a windy day. 
 Being close to Ontario and only an hour from the city, there has to be some kind of incentive program to attract workers to the area and the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with CISSSO. The “Community Hospital” moniker is one that Pontiac residents have earned, through their continuous investment and volunteering, and the institution is the pride of the region. 
 According to stats from the Hospital Foundation, there were nearly 1,000 surgeries performed in that building on the hill last year, in addition to more than 1,000 endoscopy procedures and numerous other operations. This institution is a cornerstone of the region during this economically depressed period, and will be instrumental to any economic growth that could materialize. 
 The last four years there has been a lot of discussion about increasing the cell and internet coverage for the area, but investment in our health care system should not be overlooked. The population is aging and current facilities will see even more strain if something isn’t done now. 
 The federal leaders have made some big promises about health care funding this term, and with any luck, their feet will be held close to the fire. Our livelihoods depend on it.
 Caleb Nickerson