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Auditor General Paul Martin delivers a report to the legislature on Sept. 7, 2023. Image: Submitted

AG report into travel nurse contracts coming next week

By Brad Perry May 30, 2024 | 12:50 PM

We will soon get a more detailed look into the management of the province’s travel nurse contracts.

Auditor General Paul Martin is expected to release a report by his office next Tuesday morning.

Martin first announced the audit in March, saying his team would look at issues related to procurement, oversight, internal controls, and overall value for money.

“This work is very important in keeping government departments and agencies accountable for the spending of New Brunswick tax dollars,” Martin said in a statement at the time.

Those being audited include the Vitalité and Horizon health networks, as well as the Department of Social Development.

The news came on the heels of a Globe and Mail investigation that found health authorities have spent tens of millions on travel nurses.

According to the investigation, Vitalité signed two agreements with Canadian Health Labs worth up to $138 million and is charging rates that work out to $300 per hour, much higher than other agencies and what local nurses earn.

The investigation also revealed that the health authority failed to inform the province when it signed the two large contracts.

Meanwhile, Martin’s report will also look at pupil transportation and the province’s housing strategy.