Charlottetown, PE - Like many Islanders, I was shocked when I read the Auditor General’s findings on executive leadership compensation at Health PEI. This report uncovers a serious abuse of public funds that did nothing to address our province’s urgent healthcare needs. The revelations of inflated executive salaries stand in stark contrast to the reality faced by frontline healthcare workers who have been continuously denied financial incentives and face delayed contract negotiations.

The responsibility when it comes to this lack of oversight lies squarely with Minister McLane who, as Minister responsible for the delivery of healthcare, allowed the abuse of public funds to occur. Islanders deserve answers: if the Minister truly wasn’t aware, why not? All three Green MLAs, including me, raised red flags about these ballooning executive salaries during the March budget debate. Despite this, Minister McLane claims he had no prior knowledge of this situation.

Under the leadership of Premier Dennis King and Health Minister Mark McLane, these issues have persisted. The recent installation of a new CEO at Health PEI has done little to alter the status quo. In just a few short months, we’ve witnessed alarming levels of bureaucratic growth, including the creation of a costly 'transformation office' and a $2 million sole-source contract with KPMG. I’ve spoken with many frontline healthcare workers and not one has suggested that more bureaucrats will help to fix our struggling healthcare system.

This continued lack of oversight represents a further breach of public trust and confidence in the King government. Every dollar given to inflated executive pay and bureaucratic waste is a dollar taken away from frontline healthcare workers and the Islanders they serve. It’s time for transparency, accountability, and a government that puts Islanders’ healthcare first.

Matt MacFarlane

Third Party Critic for Health

MLA Borden-Kinkora