Eddie Joyce, MHA for Bay Islands District and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, welcomes Minister Sullivan’s willingness in an afternoon press release inviting the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General to investigate the recent pilot palliative care program for the VON in Corner Brook. Joyce also stated that he has still been unsuccessful in reaching the Vice-Chair of the Committee, Harry Harding.

“I read Minister Sullivan’s press release, and once again I have no further information about this program,” said Mr. Joyce. “Listening to Minister Sullivan’s response has confused me even more. It is no wonder the Premier is trying to distance himself from the situation and leave the Minister of Finance to speak to the issue. This issue was botched so badly that nobody knows any details of the program. While the finance minister might have an opinion on the matter, it is not his role to judge what has happened here as he has stated publicly that he is not sure of the amount of money allotted for this program, nor the terms of reference. That is a job for an independent person such as the Auditor General. If the minister wants to be helpful in the matter, he can provide me with the terms of reference for the program; the costs associated with this program; and whether treasury board gave approval for this program before it was announced by the Premier.”

The Liberal MHA says what is now important is that the conservative MHAs on the Public Accounts Committee allow the investigation to go forward. “The vice chair of the committee, Mr. Harry Harding is not returning my calls and I have not yet been able to set a date for a meeting of the committee. I would like to see this dealt with as soon as possible.

“Government has been providing so much contradictory information about the pilot palliative care program for the VON, that nobody seems to know any details about the initiative. This program has already cost government a minister and a deputy minister. Listening to the comments of Minister Sullivan over the past 24 hours certainly verify our concerns that the Department of Health and Treasury Board officials recommended against the program.

“It is the role of the Opposition to keep a government accountable for their actions. I have no intention, even after listening to Minister Sullivan’s and the Premier’s personal attacks,  to discontinue my role as the Member for the Bay of Islands and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. We feel this government has already misled the people of the province on many issues, and we will continue to raise issues whether the Premier or any of his ministers want to answer the questions.”