The provincial government sought to inject some clarity yesterday into the ongoing controversy regarding a PET scanner for the new hospital in Corner Brook.

But the PC Opposition says the hastily arranged briefing only served to further muddy the waters on the issue.

Health Minister John Haggie and Corner Book MHA Gerry Byrne, who had made conflicting comments regarding the PET scanner, jointly announced that money would be set aside in a trust until the time is right for it to be installed.

While Haggie outlined the process, he declined to say when it will happen. He says $2-million will be set aside in a trust with the Western Regional Hospital Foundation. The decision how and when to spend it will be based on recommendations of cancer-care providers who are delivering the services.

Meanwhile, west coast PC MHA Tony Wakeham says it’s clear yesterday’s briefing was an exercise in damage control with an election on the horizon.

He likens the government’s messaging on the issue to an Abbott and Costello movie with Byrne saying yes, Haggie saying maybe and Premier Andrew Furey saying no.

A PET scanner, or positron emission tomography, is an imaging test that helps show how tissues and organs are functioning. It uses a radioactive drug that can sometimes detect disease before it shows up on other imaging tests.

The new Corner Brook hospital is scheduled to open in 2023.