Another Broken Promise: Furey Liberals Fail to Deliver Incentives to

Recruited Doctors

St. John’s, NL (September 10, 2024)

PC Shadow Minister for Health Barry Petten (MHA Conception Bay South) says he has been informed that at least some of the doctors the government recruited by offering large financial bonuses and other incentives are not getting the payments they were promised, and they don't know why or where to turn.

"Doctors are frustrated and disheartened. They shouldn't have to chase after the government to receive what was promised," said Petten.

"Some are even afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. It's a shameful situation."

The new Minister of Health has repeatedly stated that these bonuses are meant to show how much the government values physicians. Yet, the delays and confusion suggest otherwise.

"The Furey government is not valuing our healthcare professionals if they can't even deliver on the incentives they touted," Petten continued. "This is no way to keep doctors here, nor is it going to attract others to fill the growing gaps in healthcare."

According to Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association estimates, over 175,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians—more than a quarter of the population—are currently without access to a primary care physician.

Petten pointed out that under the Furey government's watch, the province has been losing physicians at an alarming rate. Doctors have been disrespected, nickel-and-dimed, and buried in paperwork.

"This failure to follow through on promised incentives is just another slap in the face to the professionals we desperately need. Is this the message we want to send to physicians – that Newfoundland and Labrador, under this Liberal government, is a place where promises are made but not kept?"