Doctors say the shortage is urgent but Madeleine Dubé says money won't be available until the new provincial budget lands in March.
She tells CHSJ News it is a top priority of doctors and she will present it as such when she goes before the Finance Minister for her budget.
8 out of 13 operating rooms at the Regional are currently dormant due to a lack of funding.
Dubé says it will cost millions to open up more rooms.
