Harrison can’t escape GTH, Sask. Party government record

It’s understandable why Jeremy Harrison would want to launch his Saskatchewan Party leadership bid on an otherwise quiet Saturday afternoon in his hometown of Meadow Lake — a place as far away from Regina’s legislature and the Global Transportation Hub as possible.

Fiercely independent of the provincial capital and its “influence of union leaders and bureaucrats,” (as Harrison described them in his leadership announcement) one suspects this is where the 39-year-old lawyer and career politician has always found some sanctuary.

But while Regina may be seven hours away, there will be no escaping its politics for Harrison. Even if it is his sincerest desire to do so, others won’t allow it.

To his credit, Harrison did answer questions Saturday from the Leader-Post’s David Fraser about the elephant-in-the-room — his unwavering support of Bill Boyd, his mentor in the Economy Ministry, and Boyd’s handling of the GTH, which provincial auditor Judy Ferguson said resulted in taxpayers buying 204 acres at a “significantly higher price” and “not in a fiscally responsible manner.”

“I’m going to have much to say in the near future, perhaps some retrospective thoughts,” Harrison told Fraser.

That would be a massive departure. Nothing in Harrison’s Meadow Lake leadership announcement Saturday was distinguishable from the Sask. Party’s company line.

He spoke of how heartbroken he and his party was to see Premier Brad Wall go and vowed to carry on the Wall agenda of population growth, keeping the Sask. Party coalition together, opposing the federal Liberal government carbon tax and defending rural Saskatchewan. Potentially the most partisan competitor we will see in this race, the former Conservative MP will appeal to delegates wanting to relive the glory of the Wall years and maintain the status quo.

But with that also comes the hefty baggage of defending a government that’s added $9.5 billion in the last five years to a now-$20.9-billion public debt — one incurred because of spending decisions like the GTH. And that may just be the beginning of Harrison’s problems.

On Friday, interim NDP leader Nicole Sarauer told reporters she has written to both the RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency asking them to investigate whether Boyd’s March trip to China to promote a personal business and immigration dealings violated any law.

The Kindersley MLA used his old ministerial title (which belonged to Harrison at the time) and Saskatchewan government logo on promotion material for investment in an irrigation company in which he held private interests. Whether Boyd was truly presenting as “a farmer and private businessman, not the current economy minister,” is now a matter for conflict of interest commissioner Ron Barclay to sort through.

What it is, is fodder for the NDP and Sarauer, whose political mantra last week was “scandals are also in the DNA of the Sask. Party.” It’s political sloganeering, but it will hurt those closest to ground zero of allegations. And don’t assume it will just be New Democrats making the connection.

On Monday, Democracy Watch encouraged Barclay to also “consider possible insider information and gift rule violations in his investigation.” Harrison may be out of cabinet, (Dustin Duncan has taken over his Economy duties) but he will have to account for all of Boyd’s doings on the Sask. Party leadership campaign trail.

In fact, having spent the last year insisting daily there was “no wrongdoing” at the GTH may yet prove to be the most effective undermining of Harrison’s leadership bid.

And this isn’t the only issue. Within an hour of his announcement, already circulating on social media was a glowing 2010 legislative assembly introduction Harrison offered to Rebel Media principal Ezra Levant, from whom Harrison said he bought his first Conservative membership. This is not exactly the bullet point you want on a resume supposedly about holding the Liberal/Conservative Sask. Party coalition together.

Bet rivals in the Sask. Party leadership will be as eager to see such connections as New Democrats.

For Harrison, there is just no escaping Regina’s politics.