And while we heard the Leader of the opposition make that call for realignment of the ministry's contract awards, we raised that very question with the newly appointed Minister yesterday, asking him whether his tenure will bring transparency to the issuance of contracts.
Bernard did make a kind of, sort of pledge to transparency, but he also hid behind the contractor general.
Cherisse Halsall:
"There has been a lack of transparency coming out from the ministry of health especially where contracts are concerned, what will you be differently sir to make sure that there is transparency in that area the public knows who is getting awarded what contract?"
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health
"Well, I believe that all contracts given out by any public body in the case of the Ministry of health must go through the contractor general, there is a process and I'm sure that the Ministry has a specific, specified process that it uses. I cannot answer the allegation that there may have been any issues there but I can tell you that under my leadership I will make sure that there is utmost transparency and accountability to the people. I am an open door policy type of individual, the media can tell you this. I have never shunned away from the media and I would never do so and I want to run an open-door policy. I want to see better service done to our facilities at every level in the MInistry and I'm prepared to ensure that the people know what's going on at the Ministry of health."
Minister Bernard took up his post as Minister of Health and Wellness immediately and told us that he would be meeting with his predecessor Chebat after the cabinet meeting today for some type of exchange of notes.
