The Opposition says the fact that only one bidder, with deep ties to Premier Andrew Furey, came forward for a recent contract is raising more concerns over public procurement in the province.

HealthHub Patient Engagement Solutions was the sole bidder on a five-year contract for the Corner Brook Acute Care Hospital. The company is connected to Liberal donors Brendan Paddick and John Risley according to PC MHA Barry Petten.

And it’s part a growing pattern says Petten, citing the sole-bid contract awarded for a new prison and the recent awarding of a lucrative contract to Fonemed for the province’s 811 services.

The $31 million Fonemed contract was brought to the public’s attention through an Access to Information request made by the Medical Association. Health Minister Tom Osborne acknowledged the contract was pricey, and indicated that he had hoped for more bids to come forward.

Petten says the Premier claims his “ethical walls” are protecting him but says they aren’t protecting the public purse from sole-bid contracts.