Young Conservative calls PM out on role in replacing 'deplorable hospitals'

As he left the prime minister's town hall in DartmouthMonday night, Tristan Shaw was congratulated by total strangers for the polite but pointed question he put to Justin Trudeau.

Trudeaupicked Shaw out of the crowd to ask the third question of the night and the young man didn't waste the opportunity, urging the prime minister to help finance the replacement of Nova Scotia's "deplorable hospitals."

"You are very well spoken," one passerby told Shawafter the event.

"You should serve ona committeewith him," said another.

Aging VG building

"I was wondering whether you would partner with our provincial government to replace our hospitals," Shaw asked Trudeau, earning a lengthy round of applause and appreciative cheers.

Shaw citedTrudeau's plan to invest in infrastructure renewal andreferred specifically to the aging Victoria General hospital building, where the tap water is not safe to drink and there have been a couple of major floods in recent years.

Trudeau sidestepped the question,saying it's not for the federal government to set local priorities.

He also referred to the recent health care funding agreement with Nova Scotia, making a rare reference to Liberal Premier Stephen McNeil by name.

Afterwards,Shawtold CBC News he is a young Conservative.Hesaid he asked the questionbecause it's an issue that affects every Maritimer.

"When the prime minister promised to fund infrastructure, he must replace things that need replacing and that means our hospitals," he said.