Costs for negotiating Keeyask, Wuskwatim, Conawapa & Bipole III now hit $224 million - up from $160 million
WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released Freedom of Information documents today showing the cost of negotiating dams in northern Manitoba has now skyrocketed to $220 million ($223.6 million including Bipole III); up from $160 million in 2009.
In the past, whistleblowers raised concerns about some of the funds being used to pay people to attend meetings and door prizes such as Xboxes, TVs and deepfreezes. One band member even provided the CTF with a cheque stub from a consulting company that was allegedly provided as pay for attending a meeting about a proposed dam.
Incredibly, Hydro has refused to release details on these expenditures, claiming the information is confidential. Meanwhile, other government bodies such as the City of Winnipeg regularly disclose consulting costs and similar expenses.
“How can Manitoba Hydro spend $224 million without providing details to the public,” asked CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “Taxpayers own Manitoba Hydro so we deserve details on how the money was spent.”
Following changes to the Freedom of Information Act, the CTF plans to use a new tool to try and force the release of the information from Hydro – the Information and Privacy Adjudicator. Should the Ombudsman’s office agree with the CTF’s position that these details should be made public, they can request the Adjudicator to consider ordering Hydro to release the details.
To view the freedom of information response from Manitoba Hydro, click here.
To view the freedom of information response from Manitoba Hydro, click here.
