Does the Minister Believe the AG’s Findings on Travel Nurse Contracts?

St. John’s, NL (July 3, 2025) – Barry Petten, PC Shadow Minister for Health and Community Services and MHA for Conception Bay South, today spoke out after a media report that indicates NL Health Services CEO Dr. Pat Parfrey is arguing some of the findings of Auditor General (AG) Denise Hanrahan regarding travel nurse contracts.

Hanrahan released a scathing report last week that outlined the Liberal government’s failure to manage and oversee $241 million in spending on private agency travel nurses.

In her report, the AG was critical of the CEO for misleading statements on the alleged reduction of travel agency use. The CEO doubled down yesterday in disputing the actual costs of private agency nurses by saying, “I don’t believe that to be true.”

“This is simply incredible that the CEO is arguing the validity and accuracy of findings from the auditor general,” said Petten. “This Liberal scandal started with a call to the Premier’s Office that has cost taxpayers $241 million, which even included spending on milk frothers, air fryers, hotel rooms and electric car rentals. If you don’t believe there is a problem, how are you ever going to fix it?”

In light of the CEO’s comments questioning aspects of the AG’s report, Petten said Minister Krista Lynn Howell needs to immediately clarify whether or not she believes the AG.

“Denise Hanrahan is a respected officer of the House of Assembly whose findings and reputation have now been called into question,” added Petten. “While the Liberals try to evade responsibility for one of the biggest scandals in the province’s history, it is clear – now more than ever – that only a judicial inquiry will be able to get to the bottom of this shocking issue.”

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