Ghosts of Atcon affair haunt debate over travel-nurse contracts
---------- Original message --------- From: LeBlanc, Dominic - député<dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca> Date: Wed, Jun 26, 2024 at 1:52 PM Subject:
Automatic reply: Perhaps Higgy and Dr Desrosiers should review all the
comments in CBC on June the 6th before they send the RCMP to bother me
again EH Eddie Cornell? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
(English follows)
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Health minister won't express confidence in Vitalité CEO
Bruce Fitch says up to health authority board whether to fire France Desrosiers over travel-nurse controversy
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jun 06, 2024 4:19 PM EDT
Health
Minister Bruce Fitch earlier in the week accused Canadian Health Labs
of 'predator pricing' by using leverage it had during a health crisis to
get advantageous terms. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
New
Brunswick's health minister has refused to give the Vitalité health
authority's CEO a vote of confidence over the travel-nurse issue.
Bruce
Fitch refused to tell reporters Thursday whether he thinks Dr. France
Desrosiers should remain in the position following this week's scathing
audit of the health authority's contracts with Canadian Health Labs.
"That's
a good question. We changed the governance," Fitch said, referring to
the re-establishment of health authority boards last year.
"She's now an employee of the board. The board now hires and fires the CEO."
A
report this week by Auditor General Paul Martin criticized Vitalité's
signing of three contracts with Canadian Health Labs, concluding the
agreements "were not reflective of best practices and did not
demonstrate value for money."
Dr.
France Desrosiers is president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.
Health Minister Bruce Fitch repeatedly avoided commenting on whether he
thinks the Vitalité board should terminate her employment. (Bader Ben Amara/Radio-Canada)
Martin
questioned why the health authority did not seek bids from other
companies and did not submit the agreement to legal review by provincial
government lawyers.
Fitch echoed some of that criticism Thursday.
"There
were other travel-nurse companies out there that were hired that had
better terms," said the minister, who earlier in the week accused
Canadian Health Labs of "predator pricing" by using leverage it had
during a health crisis to get advantageous terms.
Martin's
audit also faulted Vitalité for not handing over three of its own
internal audits on its use of travel nurses — for which it paid the
company up to $300 per hour per nurse — and for agreeing to auto-renewal
causes that could extend the costly agreements for years.
Even so, Fitch repeatedly avoided commenting on whether he thinks the Vitalité board should keep or terminate Desrosiers.
"Now that decision rests with the board and we should leave those decisions with the board," he said.
"I don't think that a decision or a discussion for me today."
Auditor
General Paul Martin questioned why the health authority did not seek
bids from other companies and did not submit the agreement to legal
review by provincial government lawyers. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The Vitalité
and Horizon health authority boards were re-established last year after
two years during which the boards were run by trustees reporting to
Premier Blaine Higgs.
The first Vitalité contract with Canadian Health Labs was signed in July 2022, just days after the board was suspended.
Fitch
gave a stronger defence of the Department of Social Development's
contract with the company for travel nurses in long-term care homes,
signed earlier in 2022 when he was minister at that department.
The opposition Liberals focused on that contract in Thursday's Question Period.
"A
lot of money has gone unaccounted for without the kinds of checks and
balances many New Brunswickers use for their own businesses and their
own work," Liberal Leader Susan Holt said.
She asked current Social Development Minister Jill Green why the department didn't put the contract out for bids.
Green said long-term care homes experienced around 400 positive COVID tests at the time and had to move fast.
Later,
Fitch reminded reporters that the Liberals were part of an all-party
COVID cabinet committee that worked on the government's pandemic
response at the time.
And while the Canadian Health
Labs contract wasn't put to that committee for approval, the Liberals
"know how quickly decisions had to be made," Fitch said.
"I
will trump saving lives in nursing homes over procedural matters any
day of the week. … If the opposition is worried about some receipts,
those procedures hopefully will be corrected."
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for
the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New
Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty
International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New
Brunswick politics and history.
Methinks Higgy and Fitch know why their buddy Dr. France Desrosiers may wish to speak with me now N'esy Pas?
David Amos
I bet Mr Outhouse regrets taking this job
Sean Adams
Reply to David Amos
Got to admit, though, Outhouse is an apt name for a pol, 'cos they're all full of it!
David Amos
Reply to Sean Adams
Kinda like the name of Higgy's buddy the political lawyer I ran against 3 times
JOhn D Bond
Isn't a more important question whether the
public has confidence in the minister? This governments days are
numbered before the next election. That is what should be focused on.
Sean Adams
Not allowed to diss the Irvings or the Outhouses I guess LOL
Albalita Rose
Well when you cover up t ree sun....that's a pretty low bar...
David Amos
Reply to Albalita Rose
Please explain real slow
Bill Watson
I would instead fire the Minister.
Art McCarthy
It's OK Minister Fitch; we don't have confidence in you.
David Amos
Reply to Art McCarthy
Surely you jest
William Morton
So, Dr. France Desrosiers is to become the
latest person thrown to the curb by the current administration's lack of
competence and ability.
David Amos
Reply to William Morton
Don't bet on it
Doug kirby
Oh my another one bites the dust...I guarantee they all knew what was going on..Fitch and higgs included
David Amos
Reply to Doug kirby
Its easy to see though all the BS Its not Rocket Science
Denis Van Humbeck
And we have MP's hiding things.
David Amos
Reply to Denis Van Humbeck
They always do
Allan Marven
Might as well terminate another one and keep the taxpayer funded lawyer gravy train moving. At least something is.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Allan Marven
Par for the course Maybe someday somebody will figure out what I have been telling folks for 20 very long years
William Peters
Who is left with any confidence in this
government? They just look to fire someone every time something blows up
that they orchestrated to begin with. Putting out an order to have
healthcare run on fumes is asking for a whole lot of problems to arise.
The inherent problems that come with not spending will never be able to
be managed away by CEOs. They' 'll be fired one after another to
scapegoat someone.
Allan Marven
Reply to William Peters
Didn't you get your flyer LOL? Mrs Popenrock
has a new wardrobe, She's good with it. The flyer has to be worth a buck
a copy easy. Wonder how many went out? Last count NB population was
approx 750 G ..total.
David Amos
Content Deactivated Reply to William Peters
I never had any confidence in any government Why else would I run as an Independent 7 times?
Gilles Vienneau
Under the bus as per usual. While the board of
both authorities was fired, they hired two people to "improve things".
This is one of the thing they did rspidly as there was goind to be
two-three emergencies thay were going to close. At that time, Higgs and
Fitch were beating the drum being sinproud of those nominations. Then,
the big bus arrives and squish you. Ah, politics in New Brunswink;
banana republic with an oligarch King.
David Amos
Reply to Gilles Vienneau
Speaking of the health authority board Higgy and Dr.
Desrosiers know what I think of them I emailed them my indignation after
making comments
CBC News asked for an interview with Desrosiers about the dinner but Vitalité made Soucy available instead.
The dinner featured federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as a guest speaker.
"I would rather spend my Friday night with my kids at
home than driving four hours to Saint John and back," he said. "But
that's the way we have to contribute to political parties."
Mack Leigh
Way, way past time that those in government no
matter the position must be held accountable. Hire those most qualified
for the position and not as a political appointment. If they do not do
their job properly then they get the boot with no severance package and
no recommendations.
MR Cain
Reply to Mack Leigh
Never get an applicant.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Mack Leigh
Now your talking or at least its a start.
David Amos
Reply to Mack Leigh
How do you propose to bring that about?
Kevin Archibald
Those contracts were so blatantly wrong. How could any sensible, ethical person sign them?
Mack Leigh
Reply to Kevin Archibald
Guess you just answered your own question with :
sensible, ethical person -- which seems to be an extreme rarity
nowadays. Those in power must be held accountable.
G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Kevin Archibald
They were an impulse hire by Higgs, so I wouldn't have high expectations.
Health
Minister Bruce Fitch is comparing the current travel-nurse controversy
his government is facing with the Atcon scandal from 2010, in which the
Liberal government propped up a Miramichi-based construction company in a
bid to save jobs. Fitch, right, is pictured in 2015 as then-PC
opposition leader carrying an Atcon server into the RCMP for
investigation. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Maybe
it was inevitable that within 24 hours of a report into what one MLA
called "one of the worst economic scandals in the history of New
Brunswick," politicians invoked another of the worst-ever scandals.
It
was Liberal MLA Robert Gauvin who labelled the travel-nurse controversy
as "one of the worst" — and Health Minister Bruce Fitch who promptly
tried to one-up him.
"When he talks about financial disasters — remember the Atcon scandal," Fitch said during question period Wednesday.
For
a second straight day, exchanges at the legislature were dominated by
the scathing report by Auditor General Paul Martin on $173 million in
contracts with private sector travel-nurse companies filling staffing
gaps in New Brunswick hospitals.
Martin described a
litany of problems with the contracts, particularly three agreements
between the Vitalité Health Network and Canadian Health Labs, that he
says were inked without due diligence.
"There's some
common sense missing here that went out the window. People were just
pressing 'click' on the pay button," Martin said earlier this week.
New
Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin delivered a report on Tuesday
criticizing travel-nurse contracts signed during the pandemic. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
Vitalité
has paid Canadian Health Labs up to $300 per hour per nurse — far more
than what it would cost to employ unionized nurses.
In
some circumstances, the company can deploy its nurses "regardless of the
actual need" and can still be paid up to $85 million during the life of
its agreements, Martin said.
Vitalité has argued it
urgently needed to do something to avoid closing or reducing services at
some of its hospitals in 2022 — though critics say a properly funded
public health-care system wouldn't need a costly private-sector backstop
in the first place.
Government money couldn't save Atcon
Liberals
argued they were responding to an emergency, too, when they approved
$70 million in loans and loan guarantees for Atcon in 2009 — potentially
major job losses in Miramichi if the company shut down.
But the money didn't save Atcon.
The company went bankrupt anyway, in April 2010, and taxpayers lost almost all of the $70 million.
How exactly that ranks compared to the travel-nurses controversy is hard to measure precisely.
The
Liberal premier at the time, Shawn Graham, was eventually found to be
in a conflict of interest for his role in the loans because of his
father's business connections to the company.
The Atcon scandal happened under Shawn Graham's Liberal government. (Radio-Canada)
Even after Graham was gone, the Progressive Conservatives feasted on Atcon for years.
They
used the legislature's public accounts committee, Atcon's drawn-out
bankruptcy proceedings and two auditor-general reports to keep the
Liberal loans in the public eye.
They zeroed in on six
former Graham cabinet ministers who approved the funding, remained
MLAs and returned as ministers in Brian Gallant's Liberal government in
2014.
In 2015, Fitch, then the acting leader of the PC
opposition, took part in a photo-op where he and some party staffers
delivered Atcon computer servers — purchased during a bankruptcy auction
— to the RCMP for investigation.
No charges were ever laid as a result of the stunt.
The
Atcon loans were approved by Liberal politicians, despite advice from
civil servants who warned that the company was likely to fail. (CBC)
The travel nurses affair has the potential to drag on for a similar extended period.
Health-care
officials will be grilled over the contracts by the public accounts
committee later this month, but other aspects of the story could ripple
for years.
Vitalité said this week it's in a
"dispute" with one of its travel-nurse contractors, while the government
says it will try to "extricate" the health authority from the current
Canadian Health Labs agreement.
The
so-called "auto-renewal" clause in the Canadian Health Labs contract
may also allow the company to extend its role in the province beyond
2026, Martin says.
Still, there are differences between the current controversy and Atcon.
The
Atcon loans were approved by Liberal politicians, despite advice from
civil servants who warned that the company was likely to fail
regardless and take the $70 million with it.
"With
Atcon, we've been able to find out over time that cabinet was directly
related to that," PC MLA Jeff Carr observed this week.
"We don't know here [with the travel nurses] if any of that happened."
The opposition is trying to pin responsibility on Premier Blaine Higgs but haven't proven the case.
Higgs
fired the CEO of Horizon Health, shuffled Fitch into the health
minister position and fired the Horizon and Vitalité boards just two
weeks before Vitalité signed the first of three contracts with Canadian
Health Labs.
Premier Blaine Higgs told Liberal Leader Susan Holt he was not micro-managing the health authorities or their contracts. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
"I'm
prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect and improve the
health-care system in our province," Higgs declared at a July 15, 2022
news conference.
This week, Higgs told Liberal Leader Susan Holt he was not micro-managing the health authorities or their contracts.
"If she thinks all of these invoices show up on my desk, well, they don't."
The
health department's deputy minister, Eric Beaulieu, said in February he
knew of Vitalité's first contract with Canadian Health Labs, dated July
29, 2022, but wasn't told of two subsequent agreements.
The trustee running Vitalité at the time, Gérald Richard, was also in the loop and said in March he supported the decision.
"It
is important to note that the use of agency staff was endorsed by the
Department of Health," Vitalité said in a statement this week.
"Several meetings were held with the Department during which travel nurses were discussed."
'Who knew what,' and when
Higgs
said in February he didn't know about the $300 hourly billing rate
until the Globe and Mail revealed it in a story earlier that month.
"What I really want to know is who knew what, and when," Green MLA Megan Mitton said.
Fitch
says he was briefed on Vitalité's first contract in the fall of 2022,
but only grasped the cost implications in early 2023 as the annual
government budgeting process began.
By then Vitalité had signed two more contracts with Canadian Health Labs.
The three contracts were worth up to $98 million, more than half of the total $173 million value of all travel-nurse agreements.
That's much more than what was lost with Atcon but Fitch argues there was a key difference.
"The Atcon money went to the bank. The bank just ended up taking it," he said.
"The travel nurse money went to help provide care to the people of New Brunswick."
Health
Minister Bruce Fitch says the Atcon scandal is worse because the money
spent by the government went right to the banks, while money spent on
travel-nurse contracts went into health care. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
But not all the money, according to the auditor general.
Martin said the Canadian Health Labs contract allows it to deploy nurses even if they're not needed.
"You pay whether they show up or not," he said.
Fitch
acknowledged that to reporters, who asked him whether he thinks
Vitalité should have signed the second and third contracts with Canadian
Heath Labs.
"We're looking in the rear-view mirror now,
which is always 20-20 vision," said the minister, who earlier in the
morning was looking back himself at the Atcon controversy.
"They signed those contracts," Fitch said, "and if we had had a look at it, it might have been a different outcome."
Jacques
Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick
since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for
the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New
Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television
Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty
International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New
Brunswick politics and history.
Hi David, not a Summer time poll...try Oct..maybe mid Sept..maybe you should let your name stand independent of course
David Amos
Reply to Ralph SkavinskyNaw
I promised that I would never run again 5 long years ago These days I
am busy discussing litigation in two countries with numerous lawyers
David Amos
Methinks its an interesting coincidence that I mentioned Aton yesterday N'esy Pas?
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
It certainly stirred the pot.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Ringy Dingy
Shawn Tabor
Just wait, there more, a lot more, just has not made it to the CBC yet. Give it time. A week maybe.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
This is a never ending story
Shawn Tabor
You know what sad, is the whole country reads this. Like we are from a terrible undemocratic country. Democracy is a myth here.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
"Democracy is a myth"
Who told you that?
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
Well we do still have First Past the Post which is kinda archaic but the statement is untrue.
Marcel Belanger
How far back can they go, how about if the liberals bring up the Bricklin fiasco.
Or maybe the Coleson Cove orimulsion debacle, that one wax over $750 million down the hole.
How
about the estimated $400 million Higgs let the Irving forestry group
have when lumber prices were going thru the roof and he would not raise
stumpage fees.
The list is as long for the cons and way more expensive.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Marcel Belanger
So true, when does it stop
Al Clark
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Oddly they keep bringing up the atcon debacle, yet were afraid to upset brother Robbie during TEN years plus in power?
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
You should know why that is
Ed Franks
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Well history tells me it will stop with pitchforks and torches.
david arseneau
someone needs to go to court
David Amos
Reply to david arseneau
I wholeheartedly agree
Ed Franks
Reply to david arseneau
Why would someone need to go to court.
Lou Bell
Perhaps Gauvin should look back at what his party attempted to do with their undisclosed Phonie Games plan .
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
Perhaps you should look back to when he was Higgy's Deputy Premier
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Lou Bell
One is no better then the other, you know this
Al Clark
Reply to Lou Bell
but but! Focus!
Lou Bell
With
the Nurses contracts we at least got some3thing out of the contracts .
The Atcon deal was a 60 million dollar giveaway to an inside failing
company , nothing less . Maybe the deals where the McKenna Liberals gave
hundreds of millions to call centers in return for minimum wage jobs
that had no pensions , minimum wage jobs , and no future should also be
included . Taxpayers are paying for that huge mistake to this day as
well into the future . It cost us billions in the long run .
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
Nobody cares We get the governments we deserve when apathy rules the day eh?
Lou Bell
The
Liberals complined about Horizon / Vitalite , not having sole
responsibility in running their own show . Well they showed it in flying
colours . Vitalite' ran it like a Liberal .
Ralph Skavinsky
Content Deactivated
Reply to Lou Bell
Oh Boy! Did they ever Lou Bell
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Little Lou ain't got a clue
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
Flag much?
Lou Bell
JP
forgot to mention the attempted pilfering of 130 million taxpayer
dollars under the Gallant government . The only thing that stopped it
was a defeat in an election .
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Lou Bell
JP has a questionable memory just like you
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen
Jonathan Martin
Gotta love the libas with their desperate arttacks, the pot calling the kettle black.
Don Corey
Reply to Jonathan Martin
Their federal leader is good at it, and certainly likes the colour.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
True
Jonathan Martin
Gotta love the liberals with their desperate attacks, the pot calling the kettle black.
David Amos
Reply to Jonathan Martin
Rest assured that I am enjoying it
Jonathan Martin
From the article photograph, it looks like they've located Biden's laptop.
David Amos
Reply to Jonathan Martin
Kinda redundant
Jonathan Martin
test
David Amos
Reply to Jonathan Martin
1 2 3
Lee Bronson
From the article photograph, it looks like they've located Biden's laptop.
David Amos
Reply to Lee Bronson
Kinda sorta
Wilbur Ross
Running our Province like its a division of an oil company doesn't seem to be working for Higgs & Co.
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Wilbur Ross
How so? If you are referring to the9 Vitale fiasco what you say doesn't wash..try again
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
He don't know nothing
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Nah ... privatizing Medicare doesn't add up and you know it. Try again.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
Privatizing healthcare is un-Canadian. I know that.
James Risdon
Clearly, the solution to all of these scandals is to elect me to the Legislature.
As premier, I would clean things up and make our provincial government more accountable to the people.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to James Risdon
Dream on.
Don Corey
Reply to James Risdon
That's a scary thought.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
I concur
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
FYI He ran for the KISS Party in 2018
Wilbur Ross
Reply to James Risdon
Someone said you are trespassed from the Legislature.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
How would you know?
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
Wilma knows everything.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
Court documents can be used to verify.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Check out my litigation
Hugh MacDonald
"Liberal
MLA Robert Gauvin who labelled the travel-nurse controversy as "one of
the worst" — and Health Minister Bruce Fitch who promptly tried to
one-up him."
Political gamesmanship and New Brunswick taxpayers are the unfortunate spectators.
David Amos
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
Welcome back to the Circus
David Amos
Reply to Hugh MacDonaldRemember when he was Higgy's second in command?
Wilbur Ross
Corporate
welfare in NB ... this whole Province is set up to be one big giant
corporate subsidy machine. Companies come here to have taxpayer dollars
thrown at them while also lowering their labour costs. Meanwhile the
citizens of NB are systematically mined for tax revenue to feed needy
corporations. Our taxes are Higgs' most important resource to hand out
however he feels.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Wilbur Ross
What province or state doesn't do that?
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Good question
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Graham McCormack
Ya
I guess there's really no difference between Provinces or States.
What's the difference? Every government does everything EXACTALY the
same, right? Makes sense.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
Its
a matter of how much. Come on. Just look at the tax burden in this
Province. There's a reason Irving stays and continues to 'thrive' here.
Yes they all subsides, but Higgs' Tories do it like bumpkins. These
companies know a mark when they see it.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilbur Ross
So says a union dude
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
I'm a Custodian. I work hard for my meager pay and benefits.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Yea Right
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilbur Ross
You work hard all day and night typing things in here for the benefit of your union
Don Corey
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Unions love corporate welfare don’t they?
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Don Corey
I am a custodian and a taxpayer. I don't like corporate welfare. But you do right?
Lou Bell
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Liberals
, Greens and the Nurses Union demanded help immediately and they got it
. They also demanded the Health Units have control of their spending .
They got that too . Time to look in the mirror floks ,you got what you
asked for .
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
G-F-Y I clean up after 300+ students each and everyday. Nothing easy about that.
Lou Bell
Reply to Wilbur Ross
When
one has huge surpluses it justifies more spending . The mistake made
here was that the trust was put on the shoulders of the Health
Authorities to do it right . And Vitalite' especially spent like a
Liberal . Higgs paid off billions accumulated by the Liberals in their
last term . Surpluses and excellent fiscal management , something the
Liberals have never been able to do save the province hundreds of
millions in interest that could be spent where needed . The Nurses Union
claimed they were overworked and , in collaberation with the Health
Authorities , aq plan was put in place . Unfortunately , one Health
Authority showed they had no fiscal responsibility whatsoever and
basically wrote blank cheques and blank contracts .
Lou Bell
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Really
? The Fed Liberals gave Irving shipyards in Halifax half a billion
dollars a few months ago . That's not millions , it's billions !!!
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
CUPE
in PEI is now in government contract negotiations . They're demandin
wage increases of 10 dollars an hour over 4 years . 400 dollars a week .
20,800 dollars a year ( plus , plus , plus ) . They refused a
government offer of 2.50 an hour . 100 dollars a week , 5200 dollars a
year . ( plus , plus , plus ) . In fact , the NB Union is advertising
excessively they're " with you all the way " . Really ? For 4 years
they've claimed their members were all leaving NB for better pay .
Doesn't sound like they're with us at all .
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
Yup
, sounds like nothing gets cleaned . Instead of 15 minute coffee breaks
it appears like 15 minute work breaks . 3 hour coffee breaks , then 15
minutes of work , if that .
Lou Bell
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Sounds like you do , as long as it's not others getting it .
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Lou Bell
What? I'm not a corporation.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Lou Bell
😭😭😭
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Lou Bell
I work three jobs. Only one is Union. You have no clue.
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Flag much???
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Lou Bell
Gibberish. 🤡
Lou Bell
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Don't cry . We understand .
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
Not me.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Lou Bell
Okay. What is your point?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilbur Ross
It certainly appears to me that both you and Lou are doing it to my replies
David Amos
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Need I say Bingo?
Richard Bend
It's a bit of a strange argument - "Atcon was bad, really bad - should never have happened". But then they went and copied it?
David Amos
Reply to Richard Bend
How so?
Shawn Tabor
Nobody
is ever held accountable for anything for what these folks do.
Disgusting and disgraceful and dispiriting and despicable. We all might
as well move to Australia. We change parties, or government, just to do
it all over again. These are taxpayers dollars.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Everybody knows and nobody cares
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
I think that its going to change
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Thats true, it is a game isn’t it. Sad but true
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
I
explained the wicked game to you 20 years as we rode through the night
so that I could get to court in time in Beantown Remember?
Jack Bell
"How exactly that ranks compared to the travel-nurses controversy is hard to measure precisely."
It really isn't hard to measure.
One is to keep people alive, the other was because the premiers father sat on the board of an Atcon subsidiary.
Allan Marven
Reply to Jack Bell
Which one cost taxpayers more lol. That how you measure it.
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
I wonder when the Shippagan caisse bailout will be mentioned
I prefer to look at how many lives each one saved.
Jack Bell
Reply to David Amos
Good call, forgot about that one.
My
favorite part of that was them blaming the conservatives for "failing
to properly regulate the northern financial institution."
If you need to be babysat, maybe you shouldn't be running a bank.
Lou Bell
Reply to Allan Marven
I'll take the deal where we actually got something for what we paid for !
Allan Marven
The
PC's had more than an ample amount of time and opportunity to deal with
the Atcon 6, for the taxpayers of NB, but for some reason, chose not
to. As a result, that type of behavior has become accepted practice .
Pc's are just as responsible for it, if not more.
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven
I agree
Lou Bell
Reply to Allan Marven
Sure
. Don't blame the guilty , blame the innocent . Atcon was broke . Can't
" get blood outta a turnip " ! Your claim sounds like what we see out
of the US .
Greg Doak
Always many, many scandals to chose from in NB. Nature of the people, I guess...
David Amos Reply to Greg Doak
We all know the root of all evil
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
Politicians ?
David Amos Reply to Ed Franks
Nope Preachers will tell you its the love of money/lucre
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
I’m not religious. It interfers with my spirituality.
David Amos
Reply to Ed Franks
I’m not religious either but simple truths are simple truths
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
You're
listening to the wrong people . They're not preachers , they're people
who prey on the gullible . They just tell you they're preachers . Unlike
most all real Churches those people just take, there's no giving . Real
Churches look after those in need . Check out all the ones who provide
food , warming shelters , clothes , money , gift cards to those in need .
And the funny thing is , those who deny the Churches haven't got a cent
invested in them . It all come from their members , fundraisers ,
donations . They employ people who pay taxes , raise families , They're
nonprofit and all their profits go to those who need it . And they don't
complain because or about there are those who give nothing .
David Amos Reply to Lou Bell
IMHO You're the one who is listening to the wrong people
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
Amen
Frank Brown
There is another detail that might of increased
the cost of this contract - the company Canadian Health Labs who
manages the doctors and nurses also provided alot of the health care
professionals with electric cars. As of May 2023 Cdn Health labs had
over 100 electrics vehicle in NB that were being used by the doctors and
nurses. It was a range of vehicles from Teslas, polestars, ford 150
lightings, volkswage id. and Konas. Theses electric vehicles were used
for day use - personal or health travel.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Frank Brown
They were also represented by a good friend of Higgs, Brian MacDonald.
David Amos
Reply to Frank Brown
That is more than merely interesting
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Yup
Lou Bell
Reply to Graham McCormack
McDonald is registered just like anyone else
hired to represent a company / companies in Canada . Appears you don't
realize that fact , or that they're paid . There are hundreds all
across Canada .
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
Except he didn't report he was representing them for a year after he started. Facts seem to fly right past you.
Flip Er
Hold on... We have a massive surplus, let's give to health care.
David Amos Reply to Flip Er
Dream on
Max Ruby
The biggest scandal is the skyrocketing residential property tax, we pay the highest in Canada...FOR WHAT?
David Webb
Reply to Max Ruby
Duel/duplicate health care and education isn't cheap.
David Amos Reply to David Webb
C'est Vrai
Ed Franks
Reply to Max Ruby
Property
tax is one of the few taxes that i actually dont mind paying. Provincal
not so much. Federal is like flushing down the toilet.
Lou Bell
Reply to Max Ruby
You
mean that when the value of ones house increases from 300, 000 to
400,000 dollars we should continue paying the same amount . Everything
else increases , including costs for streets , maintenace , labour ,
equipment , so just what do we do ? Not pay for them ? The Liberals
tried that and we added billions to our debt in 4 years !
Max Ruby
What is Shawn Graham up to these days?
David Amos Reply to Max Ruby
Type his name into your favourite browser
Graham McCormack
What the Liberals did on the past has nothing to do wit this Bruce. Stop playing the Trump "but Hillary" card.
David Amos Reply to Graham McCormack
Are you serious???
Don Corey
As per the article:
That's much more than what was lost with Atcon but Fitch argues there was a key difference.
"The Atcon money went to the bank. The bank just ended up taking it," he said.
"The travel nurse money went to help provide care to the people of New Brunswick."
Fitch is correct.
Dan Lee
Reply to Don Corey
at 300 bucks an hour.........ohhhhh what a tangle web............
Ron parker
Reply to Don Corey
So that's okay?
Allan Marven
Reply to Don Corey
To a FOR PROFIT company? Give me a break.
David Amos Reply to Don Corey
"Fitch is correct."
Even a busted clock is correct twice a day.
However 2 wrongs don't make a right Correct?
Don Corey
Reply to Ron parker
There is a difference. It's that simple really. I didn't say it was "right".
Don Corey
Reply to Allan Marven
Such a shame that a company would want to make a profit huh.
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
True.
Graeme Scott
Atcon
was a political cabinet decision to help a party supporter against
advice from senior civil servants. Travel nursing was a management
decision made by Vitalitie amidst a worldwide pandemic and the potential
for an unprecedented staffing crisis. Was it a hasty, perhaps stupid
decision verging on incompetence?
....almost certainly yes......but I haven't seen anything (YET) to indicate it was corrupt.
Max Ruby
Reply to Graeme Scott
The
electric cars taxpayers paid for the nurses cost $150-$300 per day and
car rental company linked to insider. As a side note government said the
cost for gov employees car rental is $60 - $80 per day maximum...
David Amos Reply to Max Ruby
I wonder what Minister Mikey knows about the electric cars
Graeme Scott
Two very different scandal's
Rene Cusson
Reply to Graeme Scott
Right, one was PC and the other Liberal.
So
whoever is in power, the OTHER scandal will be the most horrific waste
of taxpayer dollars and a textbook example of mismanagement...while
theirs is NOTHING compared to the ghosts of that scandal...whichever it
is!
The facts could be
argued which is worse but in the end it doesn't matter...each is a
distraction for their respective party to protect against their own
equivalency...and absolutely nothing more since neither plans to DO
anything about either one.
David Amos Reply to Graeme Scott
Nope They both involve our money
Christopher Logan
I
didn't like the Atcon scandal, but that was now 15 years ago. The real
scandal is happening right now with these travel nurse contracts and is
3x as much as a dollar value
David Amos Reply to Christopher Logan
Are you sure?
Mike Sauerteig
Fitch’s
comments would be laughable if it weren’t for the $$costs incurred with
these contract nursing services. He brings up as a defence the Atcon
affair, with his picture front and centre as some crusading defender of
the NB purse, and now finds himself in the Health Minister’s chair while
an even bigger mess is created. Obviously learned nothing about
managing his portfolio.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Mike Sauerteig
This is Fitch's last kick at the can of worms before he is put out to pasture
David Amos Reply to Mike Sauerteig
Perhaps you should contact Fitch ASAP?
Kyle Woodman
Hello
the Orimulsion/ Venezuela boondoggle cost more the the travel nurses
and Atcon combined, by a long shot. If we are going to play this game,
lets put all the cards on the table.
Dan Lee
Reply by Kyle Woodman
Dont
forget the royalties and payments for our crown lands ........imagine
...we pay them to cut and sell our forests and they keep the
money...........................
Don Corey
Reply to Dan Lee
Your comment is false.
Graeme Scott
Reply by Kyle Woodman
Don't for get the creating energy from water
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply by Kyle Woodman
Deja Vu?
November 25, 2005
Liberal leader jeopardizing NB Power's chances in lawsuit over failed Orimulsion deal: Tory MLA
New
Brunswickers should question whether Liberal Leader Shawn Graham is
fighting for them or for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, says a Tory
MLA. Jody Carr, MLA for Oromocto-Gagetown, made the stinging indictment
against Mr.Graham Thursday during a heated committee hearing where the
Liberal leader took repeated swipes at David Hay, NB Power's president
and chief executive officer, for failing to answer legal questions
regarding the utilityâ's Orimulsion lawsuit. Mr. Graham questioned some
of the tactics being advanced by NB Power's legal staff and demanded to
know how much the power corporation budgeted for the legal battle
against the Venezuelan government and its state-owned oil company.
Mr.
Carr said the Liberal leader crossed the line in Thursday's committee
hearing and could endanger NB Power's lawsuit. The issue is complicated
and it shows the issue is far over his head to what he can comprehend,
Mr. Carr said in an interview later."He was in effect working on the
side of the Venezuelan government by jeopardizing the court
proceedings."He was jeopardizing the chances of government and NB Power
recouping the $2.2 billion in savings and therefore, in essence, that
put him on the other side NB Power restarted its lawsuit on Sept. 1,
when it filed a statement of claim looking for $2.2 billion in financial
damages, which equates to the price difference between purchasing heavy
fuel oil to burn at the Coleson Cove Generation Station and Orimulsion,
a cheap water-and-bitumen mixture patented by Petroleos de Venezuela,
S.A. (PDVSA).
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply by David Amos
NB
Power has hired Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales to quarterback the
lawsuits filed in Fredericton and New York along with Simpson Thacher
& Bartlett LLP to serve as their U.S. counsel. Mr. Hay estimated
that the corporation has already spent as much as $600,000 on legal
bills relating to the Orimulsion lawsuit.The Liberal leader grew
increasingly frustrated when Mr. Hay stonewalled his attempt to get a
firm answer on NB Power's budget for Orimulsion-related legal fees. For
the life of me I can't understand how it could jeopardize the court
proceedings in saying how much we are thinking this court challenge may
cost, Mr. Graham said.Throughout the committee session, Mr. Hay assured
the Liberal leader that the power corporation was evaluating the
risk-reward ratio at each legal fork in the road. Mr. Hay said he cannot
disclose any details that could tip the utility's legal hand
considering the Venezuelans are keeping a close eye on the
proceedings."We are dealing with people with extremely deep pockets. And
if you go to a poker game “... and you say, I have my $1,000 here or
whatever it is you are playing with, that gives an advantage to the
other side, Mr. Hay said.
Mr.
Carr also accused Mr. Graham of misleading Saint John residents about
the Orimulsion costs during the recent byelection campaign in Saint John
Harbour. Mr. Carr said he found it disconcerting that Liberal campaign
signs said the Conservative government lost $2.2 billion through the
bungled Orimulsion fuel deal but now Mr. Graham admits the money was a
potential loss of savings.
- Daniel McHardie - Canadaeast News Service Source: Telegraph-Journal | page A5 on Nov. 25, 2005
David Amos
Reply by Kyle Woodman
Why doesn't anything surprise me?
David Amos Reply to Don Corey
I should have read you my response
David Amos Reply to Dan Lee
Trust that I never did
David Amos Reply to Graeme Scott
I never will
Greg Miller
So
what's the bottom-line -- mismanagement by both sides of the House and
no relief in sight! Come voting time you might as well stay home -- it's
simply a bunch of incompetent "same-olds" positioning for a pension and
a taste of the limelight.
David Amos Reply to Greg Miller
Well put
Ed Franks
Reply to Greg Miller
Perhaps
the solution is electoral reform with more oversight and a recall
mechanism. Try getting a politician to do any of those things would be
impossible.
Shawn Tabor
What
was once good, or maybe you could feel proud, has gone to hell. Sad
state of affairs in little NB the place to be, where folks and families
have got wealthy on taxpayers dollars.
David Amos Reply to Shawn Tabor
True
Bobby Richards
I
thought Bruce might have an ounce of self respect before going out but
he does not. Greenfield of Miramichi (formerly Atcon) does work in NB
today. They made a big mess on Grand Manan recently that made the news.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Bobby Richards
Yes
David Amos Reply to Bobby Richards
What are you doing about this/ Can I expect to see your name on a ballot very soon?
David Amos Reply to Shawn Tabor
How about you?
Shawn Tabor
We
change parties, just to do the same thing, for someone or their
families to capitalize on taxpayers money. I feel bad for the younger
ones.
David Amos Reply to Shawn Tabor
I always did
Bobby Richards
I
thought Bruce might have an ounce of self respect before going out but
he does not. Greenfield of Miramichi (formerly Atcon) does work in NB
today.
you
want to see mess......take a look at all over NB at our once beautiful
forests stripped and now hideous and unwalkable thru the piles of junk
left over while we paid irving and com probably billions to take our
forests................
Don Corey
Reply to Bobby Richards
Read the article. They were hired by the feds. Guess they're just keeping the good ole Liberal connections.
David Amos Reply to Don Corey
I doubt he will answer you
Don Corey
Reply to David Amos
I'm still waiting.
Art McCarthy
This
was always a boon-doggle. Not just are the finances enormously
wasteful, but the concept is ineffective. The equipment and protocols in
different health care systems are significantly different. Parachuting a
nurse here or there in an empty seat makes this worse, as they need to
rely on the knowledge of existing staff, dragging down their
effectiveness. What a total waste. Worst of all, it takes resources away
from solving the problem of the nursing shortage.
David Amos Reply to Art McCarthy
Everything is political and its always about the money
Art McCarthy
Reply toDavid Amos
I'm
talking about the systemic issues of dropping extra resources into the
mix and expecting more productivity. It does not work that way.
The
political part is the spin Fitch et al are trying to put on it. I bet
the nurses who were trying to bring these resources up to speed are
rolling their eyes (and grinding their teeth) reading this article.
David Amos
Reply to Art McCarthy
I am talking about rampant pubic corruption before another writ is dropped
Shawn Tabor
Time to start to clean it all up, or start banging a few heads.
David Amos Reply to Shawn Tabor
Is that a threat?
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Methinks you need to calm down Its best look for the fun in this madness N'esy Pas?
Shawn Tabor
Reply toDavid Amos
Thats
my tax dollars, going into someone or folks pocket. Did you notice,
that taxes have increased on everything. Not a game, what fun is there
in this madness. Welcome to NB the place to be, where folks get wealthy
on the backs of taxpayers. Regardless of who is in power. Red or Blue.
Shawn Tabor
Reply toDavid Amos
Get rid of them all, let A I take over, none of these humans can do it.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
I explained the wicked game to you 20 years as
we rode through the night so that I could get to court in time in
Beantown Remember?
Michel Pelletier
higg's
cannot say he did not know, his job is to make sure that he get
informed. The legal definition of negligence, is either you knew or you
should have known, Higg's and is government is either part of the
problem of part of the solution. They knew that there was a problem in
health care.
David Amos Reply to Michel Pelletier
The loonies stop with him
Allan Marven
Sad part is , Atcon is now Greenfield, and still doing business with GNB.
Richard Folkins
Reply to Allan Marven
Tozer's
daughter acquired any profitable portions of the businesses from
bankruptcy which is another scandal that was swept under the rug.
Art McCarthy
Reply to Richard Folkins
That
would not be a scandal, as they were available to all who wished to
participate in the bankruptcy proceedings. I agree that it is unsavory.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Allan Marven
Yes, it is truly sad. Wow
David Amos Reply to Allan Marven
I am glad somebody noticed
Allan Marven
The Atcon 6 were never brought to justice.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Allan Marven
Yes
Don Corey
Reply to Allan Marven
Gallant rewarded them with cabinet positions.
Ron parker
Reply to Allan Marven
That's the problem with all parties, no accountability.
David Amos Reply to Ron parker
Amen
Fanny Chmeler
Follow the money . Let’s find out who lined their pockets .
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Fanny Chmeler
Yes
Don Corey
Reply to Fanny Chmeler
Absolutely. Anyone who disagrees has something to hide.
David Amos Reply to Don Corey
Oh SoTrue
Laura Smith
The
RHAs are independent. Often they spend money and ask Department of
Health (Mommy) to pay their bills. What is the alternative, having them
shut down? Common sense would have been helpful here.
David Amos Reply to Laura Smith
Common sense is a rare thing in governments
Wilbur Ross
Trying to run the Province like its a division of an oil company doesn't seem to be working for Higgs & Co.
Don Corey
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Would you like another lesson on your very generous shared-risk plan?
Wilbur Ross
Content Deactivated
Reply to Don Corey
Don Corey
Reply to Wilbur Ross
You always have the nicest things to say Wilma.
David Amos Reply to Wilbur Ross
Are you sure about that?
Wilbur Ross.
Reply to David Amos
If
you're talking about Atcon instead of your accomplishments I think
you've lost the argument. Bruce is digging deep to save face.
Wilbur Ross
Reply to Don Corey
Confused about the topic again? Maybe the nurse can help you.
David Amos Reply to Wilbur Ross
What do you know of my accomplishments?
Wilbur Ross
Reply to David Amos
I'm talking about Bruce.
Deborah Reddon
How
can Conservatives claim it's "hindsight" to say whether the second and
third contracts should have been signed and then, they try to divert
attention with a situation from 15 years ago? Yes, hindsight indeed!
David Amos Reply to Deborah Reddon
Indeed
Deborah Reddon
So
now we know that the Vitalite executives reported directly to Higgs and
they were aware of the travelling nurses contracts. Since the amounts
of money were well into the millions they would have shared this
information as I doubt their signing authority would cover that without a
conversation with Higgs.
David Amos Reply to Deborah Reddon
The
Vitalite executives don't call me anymore because Higgy no doubt
ordered them not to after Fitch finally gave me a Health Care Card
JOhn D Bond
What
absolute nonsense. A clear example of a provincial government out of
control. Bringing up 15 year old issues as fodder for an issue ( health
care) that has never been worse in the province than over the last 5
years and to think that anyone would consider 300.00 an hour a
reasonable compensation level for contract travel nurses.
How can they claim they are even trying to fix the issue when we keep hearing about these absolute failures
Graeme Scott
Reply to JOhn D Bond
Just to be clear...the nurses aren't getting the $300/hr. It's the agency. Huge markup on labour.
JOhn D Bond
Reply to Graeme Scott
I understand the comment was in relation to the bureaucrat that made such a foolish agreement.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Graeme Scott
But the nurses are getting a lot more than nurses employed by the Province.
Graeme Scott
Reply to Graham McCormack
Sure
because in a free market supply and demand sets labour rates. If there
were enough nurses willing to work for Vitalitie or Horizon for the
union contract pay rate there would be no need for temps.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Graeme Scott
And who sets that pay rate? The same people willing to let the health authorities enter into these unreasonable contracts.
David Amos Reply to Graeme Scott
The nurses are not to blame for this nonsense
Al Clark
oh, and trudeau...........
David Amos Reply to Al Clark
Your hero
David Amos Reply to Al Clark
When is your buddy Harvey York gonna add his 2 bits worth?
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Seems to be ur buddy.....
Al Clark
Greenfield is glad Bruce didn't say a peep about them during 10+ years in power.
Don Corey
Reply to Al Clark
The provincial Liberals were the ones who didn't, and don't, want to hear about Atcon. It's all Liberal baggage.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Don Corey
It's old news. Next a certain poster will be along to bring up the Jeux de la Francophonie.
Don Corey
Reply to Graham McCormack
I didn't bring it up but can certainly comment when the issue comes up. You don't like old news?
Graham McCormack
Reply to Don Corey
It's old news and has nothing to do with this issue.
David Amos Reply to Graham McCormack
It most certainly does
Don Corey
Reply to Graham McCormack
And why not?
Don Corey
Reply to Graham McCormack
Speaking of Gallant’s games, you’ve just brought them up.
Al Clark
Reply to Don Corey
Kindly EXPLAIN why team blue did nothing in a decade, other than anonymous online comments.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Don Corey
Just ringing the Bell.
David Amos Reply to Al Clark
Why don't you or your buddy Harvey explain it to us?
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Ask brother Robbie when he joins faytene and blaine for a love fest/ healing at qplex later this month
A prominent
New Brunswick lawyer has no trouble admitting his support of the federal
Liberal party translates into government business. David Lutz of
Hampton says his firm works for the federal Justice Department because
he works for the party.
Last February, David Lutz sent a memo to
the staff at his firm instructing them when, where and how to vote for
Shawn Graham in the provincial Liberal leadership race.
The memo
said voting for Graham would help the firm, because its number one
client is the federal department of justice, and that business is
secured by Lutz's profile in the party.
"We've done work work for
the party in the past, and it's been my experience that the party
returns the favour," Lutz said on Thursday.
The business brought up to $100,000 in revenue to the firm in 2002, enough to keep three of his employees busy.
While the lawyer has no trouble talking about the memo, Graham says the memo is news to him.
"I
can say though that I've never discussed government contracts with Mr.
Lutz or with the Federal Department of Justice. And I can't comment on
the observations made in this memo because it was an inter-office memo
in a private sector company and certainly nothing I had any involvement
in."
The leader says he does appreciate the support Lutz provided in helping him win the Liberal leadership.
Health
Minister Bruce Fitch earlier in the week accused Canadian Health Labs
of 'predator pricing' by using leverage it had during a health crisis to
get advantageous terms. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Dr.
France Desrosiers is president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.
Health Minister Bruce Fitch repeatedly avoided commenting on whether he
thinks the Vitalité board should terminate her employment. (Bader Ben Amara/Radio-Canada)
Auditor
General Paul Martin questioned why the health authority did not seek
bids from other companies and did not submit the agreement to legal
review by provincial government lawyers. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
New
Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin delivered a report on Tuesday
criticizing travel-nurse contracts signed during the pandemic. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
The Atcon scandal happened under Shawn Graham's Liberal government. (Radio-Canada)
The
Atcon loans were approved by Liberal politicians, despite advice from
civil servants who warned that the company was likely to fail. (CBC)
Premier Blaine Higgs told Liberal Leader Susan Holt he was not micro-managing the health authorities or their contracts. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Health
Minister Bruce Fitch says the Atcon scandal is worse because the money
spent by the government went right to the banks, while money spent on
travel-nurse contracts went into health care. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
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