St. John’s, NL (June 27, 2025) – Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, today called for an immediate judicial inquiry into health sector contracts for travel agency nurses.

Wakeham’s call follows the release of the shocking Auditor General’s report that showed financial mismanagement, potential fraud, and a complete lack of oversight of the $241 million spent on travel nurses within the province.

“This is a Liberal scandal that requires immediate action,” said Wakeham. “While dozens of casual nurses were issued layoffs, private, for-profit agency nurses were hired at four times the cost. In addition, millions more were wasted on milk frothers, air fryers, hotel rooms, and rental electric cars that did not exist.  This is simply outrageous. It is a blatant abuse of taxpayers’ money.”

Wakeham said the profound seriousness of this issue, involving the highest level of the Liberal government, demands an inquiry.

“We now know that this started with a call to the Premier’s Office. The Attorney General, John Haggie, signed off on the travel nurse contracts. The Minister of Health and Community Services, Krista Lynn Howell, routinely and arrogantly dismissed and downplayed the issue. But worst of all, Premier Hogan, who was also Minister of Health, failed to act on such a serious issue and remains silent today,” added Wakeham.

He said the Liberal government must be held accountable for its reckless handling of the contracts.

“The travel nurse scandal goes to the very core of the Liberal Cabinet, yet we have not heard a peep in way of accountability,” continued Wakeham. “In a similar scandal involving the former NL English School District, people lost jobs and charges were laid.  But in this shocking travel nurse situation, I have heard of neither so far.”

Wakeham said the people of the province deserve action and answers immediately. “If Premier Hogan and the Liberal government won’t do the right thing and call a judicial inquiry, then I will do so when I’m elected Premier.”