Statement on Minister Howell’s Dismissive Remarks

St. John’s, NL (July 4, 2025) – Barry Petten, PC Shadow Minister for Health and Community Services and MHA for Conception Bay South, today issued the following statement:

“The Minister of Health and Community Services’ reference to Santa Claus on NTV News yesterday while addressing the serious findings in the Auditor General’s report on the Liberal travel nurse scandal was flippant and deeply inappropriate.

It is disgraceful that Minister Howell used such a comparison when discussing a matter involving millions in taxpayer dollars, potential fraud, the erosion of trust in our healthcare system, and the treatment of local nurses. It demonstrates a shocking lack of respect for the seriousness of the issue.

The Minister owes a clear and sincere apology to local nurses, first and foremost; to patients who rely on a stable healthcare system; and to the taxpayers of our province whose money has been recklessly mismanaged.

If the Minister is genuinely committed to uncovering how this Liberal travel nurse scandal was allowed to happen and ensuring it doesn’t happen again, she will stop deflecting and join our call for a full judicial inquiry. Only then can we ensure accountability and better healthcare for all of us.”

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