REGINA – Attempts by media to obtain documents relating to the controversial Global Transportation Hub (GTH) land deal isn’t coming cheap; the province says it’s going to cost $180,000.
A total of 29 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were filed by the CBC.
Fifteen were sent to the GTH and 14 to the Ministry of Highways.
According to the province’s estimates the requests could total approximately 9,500 pages.
“In the electronic age it means going back to back-up tapes to get some things. Also, government’s older records are stored off site and we have to get those things in,” Deputy Minister of Justice Kevin Fenwick explained.
However, the opposition NDP decried the government’s excuses and is calling it a clear cover-up.
“Over and over again, from Bill Boyd to Mr. Wall himself, we’ve heard the Sask. Party claim they have nothing to hide,” NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon said.
“We are talking about a fiasco that ultimately saw a Crown corporation pay alleged Sask. Party insiders three times the estimated value of land close to the Regina highway bypass,” Wotherspoon added. “He needs to scrap this bill and hand over this information.”
Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed by the CBC with Saskatchewan’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Comments