The Official Opposition is raising serious concerns following revelations that a political staffer is being paid $275,000 from Medical Care Plan (MCP) funding to provide part-time political advice to the Premier.
Rather than appointing him to a political staff position within the existing budget, the Premier has quietly found a way to pay him significantly more using funds allocated for health care for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
“MCP exists to pay for medical care. Full stop,” says Opposition Leader, John Hogan. “Premier Wakeham is using that money to pay $275,000 for part-time political advice in the Premier’s Office. He is diverting essential medical funding for political purposes.”
The salary in question makes this individual the highest-paid member of the Premier’s Office, well above policies for political pay scales.
“Did the government change the policy, or simply ignore it?” asks Hogan. “At a time when frontline health care workers are stretched thin, patients are waiting for care, residents are struggling with affordability and rising power bills, this decision raises serious questions.”
Opposition Finance Critic, Sarah Stoodley, also points out that “the Conservative government previously claimed it would “shrink” Cabinet and save $400,000, only to create a series of new political positions across departments, many earning $120,000 or more.”
The Conservatives are adding Special Advisors, many with PC ties, including former candidates, cabinet ministers and long-time staffers, while insisting they are spending responsibly. These are six-figure political positions created quietly, on top of Executive Assistants and Ministerial Liaison roles already in place.
“This government is finding ways to pay political staff significantly more on the public payroll, while diverting money meant for patient care,” says Opposition Health Critic, Lisa Dempster.
The Opposition is calling on the Premier to provide full transparency as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve. Health care funding must go to health care, not political insiders.
-30-