NDP hoisting more red flags over land transactions at GTH

NDP Opposition Leader Nicole Sarauer is once again raising red flags over land purchases made by the Saskatchewan Party government for the Global Transportation Hub (GTH).

“The more we learn about this scandal, the deeper the scandal looks and the quieter the Sask. Party gets,” she said.

On Wednesday, the RCMP said it is close to concluding the investigation into the GTH land deals, which saw two Sask. Party connected businessman profit off the sale of 204 acres. The provincial auditor has already stated taxpayers paid too much when the government purchased those acres.

Sources say the matter will be turned over to prosecutors in Manitoba to determine whether charges are necessary, with preliminary findings of the investigation likely already in the hands of the Crown in Manitoba.

In a statement, the premier’s office said, “The government welcomes the scrutiny of the RCMP on this matter and has co-operated fully. It is up to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice to decide where the file is reviewed once the RCMP have completed their work.”

Sarauer said that no matter what the results of the RCMP investigation are, it is up to opposition MLAs to determine what happens to taxpayers’ money.

“The people of Saskatchewan deserve to know what happened with this land deal. At a very minimum, we know millions of dollars of taxpayer money was wasted,” she said. “We don’t know why and Saskatchewan people deserve to know the answers,” she said.

She added that Saskatchewan people also deserve to know why conversations were being had between the government and one of the Sask. Party supporting individuals involved about purchasing a piece of land not even owned by that individual.

Thursday saw an NDP member — Carla Beck — once again attempt to have key witnesses involved in the GTH land deals appear before a public accounts committee.

NDP committee members have tried and failed several times to bring witnesses forward.

Beck’s request was ruled out of order by her caucus colleague Danielle Chartier, who chairs the committee, because the matter had already been reviewed.