New
Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin's report casts doubt on Vitalité
Health Network's rationale for its heavy spending on travel nurses. (Jacques Poitras / CBC)
New
Brunswick's auditor general is criticizing the Vitalité health
authority for its handling of $123 million in travel-nurse contracts
— and for its refusal to hand over key information about the agreements.
Paul
Martin acknowledges in his audit that the health system was facing dire
staffing shortages in 2022 when the authority signed its first contract
with Canadian Health Labs.
But he says the deployment
of travel nurses in Vitalité's hospitals "did not correlate with staff
absences due to COVID-19" — one of the main rationales provided for the
reliance on travel nurses — or with unplanned staff absences.
"The
contracts with private nursing agencies were not reflective of best
practices and did not demonstrate value for money," Martin said.
Premier
Blaine Higgs said he was 'disappointed' with what Martin uncovered and
called on both health authorities to follow the recommendations. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
What
is "quite scary," he told MLAs Tuesday, is that the current Canadian
Health Labs contract with Vitalité allows the company to deploy nurses
"regardless of the actual need" and still be paid up to $85 million
during the life of the agreement.
"They're going to get paid money this year if you don't use them," he said.
At
the same time, when the contract expires in 2026 it can be
automatically renewed up to five times if the company meets bilingualism
thresholds.
"I bet a lot of people would love to get a
contract like this, and I would challenge government to do better — way
better. This is not good."
'Lack of ownership' demonstrated, says AG
Vitalité
said in a statement that most of Martin's recommendations are already
standard practice, "while others will be implemented in the coming
days."
The authority claimed, incorrectly, that Martin
failed to mention "the emergency situation" in health care at the time
the contracts were signed along with other "information and
testimonials" not reflected in the audit.
In a response
published as an appendix to his report, the health authority disputes
many of Martin's findings — which Martin in turn rebutted during his
appearance Tuesday at the legislature's public accounts committee.
He
said given the health authority's pushback, his office was unable to
reach conclusions about whether it agreed with the findings.
WATCH | 'This has to be fixed':
‘I’m shocked’: auditor general on Vitalité’s travel nurse contracts
Duration 1:45
New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin says costly contracts did not provide good value to taxpayers.
"We
are very concerned with the lack of ownership for the issues identified
and unwillingness to clearly accept our recommendations," he said.
The
health authority is a large organization spending huge amounts of money
to provide health care to New Brunswickers, he said.
"The
oversight and accountability for those funds requires significantly
more due diligence than what has been demonstrated to us during our
work."
In Question Period, Premier Blaine Higgs said he
was "disappointed" with what Martin uncovered and called on both health
authorities to follow the recommendations.
"I do take responsibility because it's not acceptable," Higgs said.
Social
Development Minister Jill Green said she and Health Minister Bruce
Fitch have been working with government lawyers from the attorney
general’s office on 'how we can extricate ourselves from these
contracts.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC, Roger Cosman/CBC)
"It's clear that the contracts that were signed were not the best value for the taxpayers of New Brunswick."
Social
Development Minister Jill Green said she and Health Minister Bruce
Fitch have been working with government lawyers from the attorney
general's office on "how we can extricate ourselves from these
contracts."
At the end of Tuesday's public accounts
committee meeting, MLAs from all three parties voted unanimously to call
Vitalité, Horizon Health, and the departments of social development and
health to testify before June 30 about the contracts.
Progressive Conservative MLA Jeff Carr called Vitalité's approach "an insult" to taxpayers.
"What I'm seeing here with the lack of accountability … flies in the face of what our government stands for," he said.
"I really worry about the signal it sends to the rest of the good people in the system."
Liberal
MLA Benoit Bourque, a former health minister, said Martin’s audit was
'by far the most scathing report' he’d seen during a decade in politics.
(CBC)
Liberal MLA Benoit
Bourque, a former health minister, said Martin's audit was "by far the
most scathing report" he'd seen during a decade in politics.
"This is beyond words."
Green
Party MLA Megan Mitton told Martin that Canadian Health Labs must be
"laughing all the way to the bank. They have had quite a lucrative time
in New Brunswick so far."
Martin also found no proper
bidding process, no legal review of the contracts and no review before
Canadian Health Labs was paid for its travel nurses in long-term care
homes under a separate contract with the Department of Social
Development, the audit says.
His audit also criticized
Horizon Health's travel-nurse contracts but said it did a better job
ensuring that the services it was paying for were delivered.
He
contrasted Horizon's approach with Vitalite's decision to hire Canadian
Health Labs without a bidding process, noting Horizon was able to
choose among proposals from 37 travel-nurse agencies and did not pick
that company.
"It seems like there's some fish in the pond," he said.
Vitalité's
rebuttal says its use of travel nurses allowed it to avoid a two-thirds
reduction in emergency capacity at Moncton's Dr. Georges-L. Dumont
University Hospital Centre, among other things. (CBC)
Martin
casts doubt on Vitalité's rationale for its heavy spending on travel
nurses: that French-speaking nurses are harder to recruit, which
created a more severe shortage at the health authority's facilities,
which operate in French.
The auditor general says the
contract required that Canadian Health Labs provide only "limited"
service in French in some hospitals.
Won't rule out court action
He
also says Vitalité refused to give his office three internal audits it
conducted itself into its contracts with the company, a violation of the
Auditor General Act which says the office is entitled to "free access"
to all documents whether they're confidential or not.
"Due
to the lack of co-operation from Vitalité, risks that they identified
in the audit reports and to what extent those risks were addressed is
not known," Martin's report says.
"It is critical that
government organizations understand the powers of the Auditor General
and comply with the Auditor General Act."
Martin told MLAs that he wasn't ruling out going to court to force the health authority to turn over the three internal audits.
Vitalité
said in its statement it had been "irreproachable" in its co-operation
with Martin's office and the three audits were withheld only because the
health authority "is in the midst of a dispute with one of the
companies targeted in this investigation" and sharing them might have
hurt negotiations.
In its rebuttal in the audit's appendix, Vitalité says its use of travel nurses allowed it to avoid:
The closure of the Campbellton Regional Hospital's emergency department.
A two-thirds reduction in emergency capacity at Moncton's Dr. Georges-L. Dumont University Hospital Centre.
The closure of the Restigouche Hospital Centre, the province's forensic psychology facility.
"The network had to act quickly to counter the nursing shortage," it says.
$98M in contracts with one company
Martin's
audit did not include an examination of the Department of Health's role
because it did not sign any travel-nurse contracts, he said.
He
added that Tuesday's audit was only "a piece of this" but he wanted to
get his findings out quickly, and his office may do more work on travel
nurse issues in the future.
The total value of all travel contracts with 10 companies was $173 million, Martin said.
The largest amount was $98 million for three contracts between Vitalité and Canadian Health Labs.
The
company's CEO, Bill Hennessey, said in an email he was travelling
Tuesday and would likely be unable to respond to questions.
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.
"Brian Macdonald, a former Progressive Conservative MLA,
represented Canadian Health Labs in early 2023, seeking to arrange
meetings with senior government officials, including his former PC
caucus colleague Premier Blaine Higgs."
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
This is how crazy it truly is, nobody will ever
be held accountable and they know it. Wicked wicked game. All on the
taxpayers dime
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
I explained this to you 20 years ago during our long drive to Beantown Remember?
David Amos
"Social Development Minister Jill Green said she and
Health Minister Bruce Fitch have been working with government lawyers
from the attorney general’s office on 'how we can extricate ourselves
from these contracts"
Perhaps they should ask for my help
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
I truly hope they do LOL
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
Speak of the devil and he sure to appear
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Harvey York
When may I expect some more butter tarts?
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
Bingo
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
I'm honored you were thinking of me, bestie
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
Its not like you to misspell honour eh Mr Cardy?
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
That's the way your Massachusetts neighbors spelled it, Nes'y Pas?
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
True How do they spell it Kathmandu?
David Amos
Reply to Harvey York
BTW Who got custody of Puffin?
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Get these people, hold them to account. Impossible but at least expose it.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Methinks around the Bay Fundy we still spell neighbours the English way N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
FYI Every time I mention a certain kind of tart he flags me
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Kk
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
OK
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Ok.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Funny
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Yup Lamrock signed the note with a big K
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
David Amos
"Martin told MLAs that he wasn't ruling out going to
court to force the health authority to turn over the three internal
audits."
Oh My MY Ain't that rather special?
Bobby Richards
Reply to David Amos
Maybe Martin can recruit Hogan since he has experience in this.
Frank Brace
Overpaying private industry with taxpayer money is conservative policy and practice
David Amos
Reply to Frank Brace
They are not alone
Rob Lehtisaari
Private Healthcare in NB, fails to provide Nurses, and fails to be accountable...
Who signs such terrible contracts as these, and why are they still employed ?
David Amos
Reply to Rob Lehtisaari
Higgy owes the answer
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
The buck stops with him
Graham McCormack
And Brian MacDonald, a good friend of Higgs, is a lobbyist for Canadian Health Labs. Who could have guessed.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Scroll down
William Morton
So just another demonstration of total incompetence and mis-micromanagement on Mr. Higgs part? Definitely!
David Amos
Reply to William Morton
Yup
pete prosser
Bring in the RCMP for this one. This needs some answers. Truthful answers.
David Amos
Reply to pete prosser
Wouldn't that be special?
Samual Johnston
The crazy renewal options also warrant an
investigation. These are the type of deals that make it look like
someone is getting something on the side.
David Amos
Reply to Samual Johnston
Did you read what I said about such things in June of 2004? It was published 2 newsrags and many blogs
Shawn Tabor
Welcome to NB the place to be, where folks and
their families get wealthy on the backs of taxpayers. This is just the
tip of the iceberg. Much much more. Who allowed this to happen and again
nobody will ever be held accountable. What we are reading today, is
really nothing in the big picture. There is more.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
I wonder if the taxpayers paid for the butter tarts Higgy et al sent to Ronnie's farm in 2017
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
You think i do not know about him. His daughter
is my niece. Haven’t talk to him and his buddies in years, best to stay
away from all them. Somehow i will end up, guilty by association.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Your living in the USA now.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
Small world
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Nope I am living in the camp I offered you when you lost your home
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Nope
MR Cain
Politicians need to keep their noses out of education and health. They are legislators, not managers.
Samual Johnston
Reply to MR Cain
Are you saying these contracts should not be
scrutinized? The high value of them and the unreal options to renew
must raise questions.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to MR Cain
Nothing but white collar crime and you know it
MR Cain
Reply to Shawn Tabor
I know what the article says, but nothing about
white collar crime. Somebody had to sign off the money, and that person
was not the janitor.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to MR Cain
Enjoy paying your out of control taxes, for someone else’s benefit. Wow
MR Cain
Reply to Shawn Tabor
No idea what your story is about; and don't care.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Of course he knows it
Frank Blacklock
Federal Auditor General and Parliamentary
Budget Officer are really not sure where our tax dollars and 600 billion
added debt went to.
MR Cain
Reply to Frank Blacklock
wrong article
David Amos
Reply to Frank Blacklock
Strange eh?
Don Corey
Reply to Frank Blacklock
I’m sure the PM will provide us with a thorough and transparent explanation when he gets back to Ottawa. Sunny ways always!
Christine Martinez
I'd like to know where I can get a job that pays me 85
million for services rendered, but actually rendering those services is
not required.
The incompetence here is astounding, but given we're talking about Vitalité, hardly surprising.
Dan Lee
Reply to Christine Martinez
somebody wayyyyy up signed theses contracts and it wasnt the janitor who approved them
David Amos
Reply to Christine Martinez
Amen
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Christine Martinez
Isn’t absolutely crazy. Imagine if they could
collect on just 25% of the bad deals, scams etc. its out of control.
Maybe all this is not true. It just seems that there is nothing but
scams, by folks in the know. NB Government seems to be nothing but
scams, somehow. Everyone is always steeling or misappropriating tax
dollars.
rayma allaby
so if horizon health did a good job why are
they being called in...vitalite needs to be questioned on their
decision making. in this province it isn't just one side of the
province paying for what vitalite did it is the whole province.
David Amos
Reply to rayma allaby
Good point
Dan Lee
the paper work is unreal for 300 bucks but here
they are giving millions even if they dont need nurses........whats
wrong with this picture
David Amos
Reply to Dan Lee
Do tell
Bob de trelleg
Not a day goes by without some negative news
about Higgs and Company. But, free publicity is free publicity. Trump
would approve.
Albalita Rose
Reply to Bob de trelleg
Another old saying...If you don't have
something nice to say about someone don't say anything at all"...hence
no real news about the feds...or his current trip....
David Amos
Reply to Albalita Rose
Where is the fun in that?
Ed Franks
Reply to Albalita Rose
If you tell me which costume he was wearing. I can guess which country he went to.
David Amos
Reply to Ed Franks
Now thats funny
Kevin Archibald
Sounds like a contract a soocer or football player would get nowadays.
David Amos
Reply to Kevin Archibald
Not really
Andre Kornhauser
What kind of contract is this? Sounds quite one
sided. The negotiator of the contract should go, and the powers that be
who signed as well.
David Amos
Reply to Andre Kornhauser
Good luck with that
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Andre Kornhauser
Nobody will ever held accountable
MR Cain
Reply to Shawn Tabor
The ballot box is where they are held accountable.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to MR Cain
Sure, then we just go through the same thing
again. What, you think the Redcoats are not going to be the same way. We
have been down this same road before. Please study the History of it
all. Forget Political affiliation kk. Get rid of them all and let A I
take over. The humans can’t do it. Everything is political and its alway
about money.
MR Cain
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Yup, AI that's the ticket. No politics there.
Solves all the earthly problems. Cool man, purple haze. yeah just
don't forget to plug it in before you leave.
Daniel Franklin
Typical for so much secrecy within a
conservative government. They don't want you to see that so-and-so's
cousin benefited from this contract.
David Amos
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Atcon
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Daniel Franklin
Exactly
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
So true, saw that x- premier in the Toronto airport. Not much to see, feel the evil from a distance
Hugh MacDonald
Whoever was responsible for awarding the
contract without tendering, not monitoring the Vitalité contract, and
not questioning the discrepancies in nurse deployments and costs should
lose their job(s). Most likely someone in the NB Dept. of Health with a
personal relationship with Vitalité.
David Amos
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
Welcome back to the circus
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
That was the fastest cont. deact I have very had.
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
Maybe it was the word clowns
Ed Franks Reply to Ed Franks
ever had
Ed Franks
Reply to David Amos
Funny clowns
David Amos
Reply to Ed Franks
It happens to me all the time
ralph jacobs
Any time you read about hiding information you can bet it isn't above board.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
Of course
Bobby Richards
Reply to ralph jacobs
Not above the hospital board either because
they don't exist anymore. Higgs got rid of those so now we have the CEO
of Vitalie refusing to hand over information to the AG.
Frank Blacklock
Canada’s Auditor General under a gag order to stop talking about the carbon tax?
David Amos
Reply to Frank Blacklock
Methinks folks should tune into the news today N'esy Pas?
Ministers respond to performance audit reports of the Auditor General of Canada
June 4, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Government of Canada
The Government of Canada will respond to three
performance audit reports of the Auditor General of Canada. The
following Ministers will address the reports and answer questions from
the media:
Eddy Geek
Reply to Frank Blacklock
It appears Frank knows about as much of Canada's Auditor
General as he does about Covid vaccines or the carbon tax - very
bleeping little
The carbon tax adds 2-3 cents per litre Frank - not 16-17 cents
The Federal Auditor General held a new conference an hour ago which included the carbon tax
MR Cain
Reply to Eddy Geek
16 - 17 cents would be the total carbon tax on a litre.
Akimbo Alogo
JPs daily attempt at a hit piece. Yawn.
David Amos
Reply to Akimbo Alogo
Its working
Akimbo Alogo
Reply to David Amos
It really isnt. Its just polarizing...and there
will be another PC win. An easy one at that. Seems the liberals cant
even get out of their own way.
David Amos
Reply to Akimbo Alogo
True but I believe that Higgy win only win a minority because JP's work
Bobby Richards
Reply to Akimbo Alogo
Higgs likes it when NBers are polarized. He's been working on that for 6 years now.
Wilson Rose
I withhold information all the time and nothing happens to me. These guys aren't very good at it.
David Amos
Reply to Wilson Rose
Do tell
Wilson Rose
Reply to David Amos
I'm withholding it.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Wilson Rose
As you no doubt know I practice the spirit of full disclosure every day
David Amos
Reply to Wilson Rose
BTW Speak of the devil "Harvey York" and he will likely appear
ralph jacobs
Reply to Wilson Rose
You aren't playing with government funds so no one cares.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
Are you certain?
ralph jacobs
Reply to David Amos
No,just a guess as to why you aren't being bothered.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
I am being bothered This thread is a good example
ralph jacobs
Reply to David Amos
The only thing that bothers me on this thread is how little you can say on important subjects.
MR Cain
Reply to ralph jacobs
Most important subjects are too contentious for
an intelligent conversation. As it is, there is a lot of wasted space
on social media, regardless of the subject.
ralph jacobs
Reply to MR Cain
There are some bad ones but I just ignore them.
There are some great replies though that explain things clearer.
Someone having a different opinion or view than I do doesn't bother
me.
MR Cain
Reply to ralph jacobs
It can be quite entertaining; the odd time one
checks other sources to validate a comment. Usually ends up as a
one-upmanship and turns silly.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
I agree but at least Cardy appeared as predicted
Lorelei Stott
was this under watch of that vitalite ceo that
got canned? maybe a link maybe not would be good to know though as a
taxpayer propping up 2 hospital oranizations that should be 1
David Amos
Reply to Lorelei Stott
Vitalite still owes me money and their CEO and her minions won't talk about it No Thanks to Higgy et al
MR Cain
Reply to Lorelei Stott
The boss is the government, so we actually have a single health authority.
ralph jacobs
It seems it is so easy to scam or misuse any funds related to health care.
William Peters
Reply to ralph jacobs
It is easy to shift expenses around to create
accounting magic. The province doesn't hire nurses. They credit
themselves with being fiscally responsible. The thing becomes a cost to
the Health Authority which can then be vilified for having to try and
run a patchwork system that doesn't work that well and costs more.
Lorelei Stott
Reply to ralph jacobs
doctors in charge of administering funds
doesn't seem to be a good match maybe a finance person should be in
charge of these organizations
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to Lorelei Stott
Absolutely..I know first hand docs are not adept with financial matters.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Trust that I know a lot about such things
MR Cain
Reply to Ralph Skavinsky
Any idea how they go about requesting and dispersing funds? Highly unlikely the doctor is alone.
Ralph Skavinsky
Reply to MR Cain
Never said they were but they seem to be becoming more vocal..
Doug kirby
Auditor general is going to be unemployed if he gets the sitting government uneasy
MR Cain
Reply to Doug kirby
They always seem to find another job.
William Peters
Reply to Doug kirby
He has no teeth and what says falls on deaf ears.
David Amos
Reply to William Peters
True
the paper work is unreal for 300 bucks but here they are
giving millions even if they dont need nurses........whats wrong with
this picture
Reply by David Amos.
Do tell
Comment by Bob de trelleg.
Not a day goes by without some negative news about Higgs
and Company. But, free publicity is free publicity. Trump would
approve.
Reply by Albalita Rose.
Another old saying...If you don't have something nice to
say about someone don't say anything at all"...hence no real news about
the feds...or his current trip....
Reply by David Amos.
Where is the fun in that?
Reply by Ed Franks.
If you tell me which costume he was wearing. I can guess which country he went to.
Comment by Kevin Archibald.
Sounds like a contract a soocer or football player would get nowadays.
Reply by David Amos.
Not really
Comment by Daniel Franklin.
Typical for so much secrecy within a conservative
government. They don't want you to see that so-and-so's cousin benefited
from this contract.
Reply by David Amos.
Atcon
Comment by Andre Kornhauser.
What kind of contract is this? Sounds quite one sided.
The negotiator of the contract should go, and the powers that be who
signed as well.
Reply by David Amos.
Good luck with that
Comment by Hugh MacDonald.
Whoever was responsible for awarding the contract
without tendering, not monitoring the Vitalité contract, and not
questioning the discrepancies in nurse deployments and costs should lose
their job(s). Most likely someone in the NB Dept. of Health with a
personal relationship with Vitalité.
Reply by David Amos.
Welcome back to the circus
Reply by Ed Franks.
That was the fastest cont. deact I have very had.
Reply by Ed Franks.
ever had
Reply by Ed Franks.
Funny clowns
Reply by Ed Franks.
Maybe it was the word clowns
Reply by David Amos.
It happens to me all the time
Comment by ralph jacobs.
Any time you read about hiding information you can bet it isn't above board.
Reply by David Amos.
Of course
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Not above the hospital board either because they don't
exist anymore. Higgs got rid of those so now we have the CEO of Vitalie
refusing to hand over information to the AG.
Comment by David Amos.
"Martin told MLAs that he wasn't ruling out going to
court to force the health authority to turn over the three internal
audits."
Oh My MY Ain't that rather special?
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Maybe Martin can recruit Hogan since he has experience in this.
Comment by Frank Blacklock.
Canada’s Auditor General under a gag order to stop talking about the carbon tax?
Reply by David Amos.
Methinks folks should tune into the news today N'esy Pas?
Ministers respond to performance audit reports of the Auditor General of Canada
June 4, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Government of Canada
The Government of Canada will respond to three
performance audit reports of the Auditor General of Canada. The
following Ministers will address the reports and answer questions from
the media:
Reply by Eddy Geek.
It appears Frank knows about as much of Canada's Auditor
General as he does about Covid vaccines or the carbon tax - very
bleeping little
The carbon tax adds 2-3 cents per litre Frank - not 16-17 cents
The Federal Auditor General held a new conference an hour ago which included the carbon tax
Comment by Akimbo Alogo.
JPs daily attempt at a hit piece. Yawn.
Reply by David Amos.
Its working
Reply by Akimbo Alogo.
It really isnt. Its just polarizing...and there will be
another PC win. An easy one at that. Seems the liberals cant even get
out of their own way.
Reply by David Amos.
True but I believe that Higgy win only win a minority because JP's work
Reply by Bobby Richards.
Higgs likes it when NBers are polarized. He's been working on that for 6 years now.
Comment by Wilson Rose.
I withhold information all the time and nothing happens to me. These guys aren't very good at it.
Reply by David Amos.
Do tell
Reply by Wilson Rose.
I'm withholding it.
Reply by David Amos.
content deactivated
–
As you no doubt know I practice the spirit of full disclosure every day
Reply by David Amos.
BTW Speak of the devil "Harvey York" and he will likely appear
Reply by ralph jacobs.
You aren't playing with government funds so no one cares.
Reply by David Amos.
Are you certain?
Reply by ralph jacobs.
No,just a guess as to why you aren't being bothered.
Reply by David Amos.
I am being bothered This thread is a good example
Comment by Lorelei Stott.
was this under watch of that vitalite ceo that got
canned? maybe a link maybe not would be good to know though as a
taxpayer propping up 2 hospital oranizations that should be 1
Reply by David Amos.
Vitalite still owes me money and their CEO and her minions won't talk about it No Thanks to Higgy et al
Comment by ralph jacobs.
It seems it is so easy to scam or misuse any funds related to health care.
Reply by William Peters.
It is easy to shift expenses around to create accounting
magic. The province doesn't hire nurses. They credit themselves with
being fiscally responsible. The thing becomes a cost to the Health
Authority which can then be vilified for having to try and run a
patchwork system that doesn't work that well and costs more.
Reply by Lorelei Stott.
doctors in charge of administering funds doesn't seem to
be a good match maybe a finance person should be in charge of these
organizations
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Absolutely..I know first hand docs are not adept with financial matters.
Reply by David Amos.
Trust that I know a lot about such things
Comment by Doug kirby.
Auditor general is going to be unemployed if he gets the sitting government uneasy
Reply by MR Cain.
They always seem to find another job.
Reply by William Peters.
He has no teeth and what says falls on deaf ears.
Reply by David Amos.
True
Comment by Allan Marven.
"It is critical that government organizations understand
the powers of the Auditor General and comply with the Auditor General
Act."
So if you have all that power, use it, to it's maximum.
Comment by Max Ruby.
Vitalité's travel nurse contract with Canadian Health
Labs required they provide only "limited" service in French.
Time to merge the two health authorities, save taxpayer money and cut residential property taxes Mr. Higgs.
Reply by Allan Marven.
I'm sure Canadian Health labs had nothing but the health
and welfare of NBer's in mind when it bid on the contract.........
Reply by MR Cain.
How much do you think that would save? There is still a constitutional right that must be complied with.
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
..which should be changed...this is a new day
Reply by MR Cain.
Why?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Because we are no longer a French English country..haven't you noticed ?
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
And, in any event, frankly, duplication is far too costly
Reply by MR Cain.
That would be an opinion without fact.
Reply by John Gray.
Ok so we adopt french as the primary language in New
Brunswick? Because what your boldly and publically saying is forcing the
French to give up their constitutional rights here
Reply by MR Cain.
A little historical tidbit: the central states of France
and England, later Britain,, fought 41 wars against each other between
the first Anglo-French War in 1109 and the Hundred Days in 1815. On
average that's a war every 17.3 years. In total France won 24 wars,
England/Britain won 11 and 6 were a tie.
Reply by Mathieu Laperriere.
We have always been a French and English country.
Reply by Greg Miller.
Property tax -- you've got that right -- mine has gone up 55% in 4 years!
Reply by David Amos.
Nope
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
I am saying we have get with reality orwith the times as they say...we have become more than two languages
Reply by Ralph Skavinsky.
Oui,c'est vrai, mais this as said is rapidly becoming a new day
Reply by John Gray.
We're a bilingual province, it would be political suicide for any party to abolish the language lol
Comment by Allan Marven.
If the AG can't get the info, it's time for a criminal investigation.
Reply by David Amos.
I concur
Comment by Jonathan Martin.
NB is the only province that wastes tax payer dollars on
duplication of services in all aspects. This is not only wasteful, but
almost criminal considering the small size of the province.
Reply by David Amos.
I agree
Comment by Jimmy Cochrane.
Ho hum. Another audit/committee/inquiry. With the end result being the same.
More tax payer monies squandered.
Reply by Jack Bell.
Correction.... squandered in the language of your choice.
Reply by David Amos.
Oh so true
Comment by JOhn D Bond.
How is it government organizations can withhold information from auditors that public companies cannot.
Time for a change in the leadership in the province and Vitalité .
Time for the tax payers to hold these bureaucrats personally liable for the terrible decisions they make.
Reply by Mack Leigh.
Accountability for ones' actions is not something that politicians and CEOs' are
familiar with.... Wonder how many pay increases and bonus's have been handed out to Vitality.
Reply by David Amos.
IMHO Far too many
Comment by Greg Miller.
"Withholding information" has become an art form in New Brunswick!
Reply by William Peters.
The art is spinning it into an increase in transparency
when you do it. Up is down times...Con artists rise to the top before
they fall.
Reply by Mack Leigh.
Sadly here in NB they seldom fall but rather run for another office.
Premier
Blaine Higgs said he was 'disappointed' with what Martin uncovered and
called on both health authorities to follow the recommendations. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Social
Development Minister Jill Green said she and Health Minister Bruce
Fitch have been working with government lawyers from the attorney
general’s office on 'how we can extricate ourselves from these
contracts.' (Jacques Poitras/CBC, Roger Cosman/CBC)
Liberal
MLA Benoit Bourque, a former health minister, said Martin’s audit was
'by far the most scathing report' he’d seen during a decade in politics.
(CBC)
Vitalité's
rebuttal says its use of travel nurses allowed it to avoid a two-thirds
reduction in emergency capacity at Moncton's Dr. Georges-L. Dumont
University Hospital Centre, among other things. (CBC)
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