REGINA – After much controversy, the government decided to let a third party review a series of land deals involving the Global Transportation Hub (GTH).
The NDP and Saskatchewan Progressive Conservatives have been accusing the province of buying land for the GTH at nearly three times the market value. The province paid $21 million, but the NDP claims the land was appraised at $35,000 per acre.
The land in question stretches 204 acres along Regina’s west side, adjacent to the GTH
On Monday morning, NDP leader Cam Broten asked Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair Danielle Chartier to recall the committee in order to put forward a motion to launch a provincial auditor’s investigation.
“Mr. Wall, if there’s nothing to hide, should object in no way to having the provincial auditor do her work and provide answers to the Saskatchewan public about why he signed off on paying millions of extra dollars,” Broten said in Saskatoon.
READ MORE: NDP says government land deal ‘stinks,’ calls for investigation
However, Premier Brad Wall requested an audit of the sale himself just hours later.
“I’m completely satisfied with the work of the GTH in purchasing these things,” Wall said.
“But if the auditor wants to look at it, and if it would help, we’re absolutely open to that for the same reasons.”
The NDP chaired PAC still plans on recalling members. They want to include a motion that the auditor release an interim report on the land sale before the April 4th election.
The NDP also point to a potential conflict of interest involving the Minister Responsible for the GTH Bill Boyd and one of the former landowners.
With files from Teri Fikowski
Comments