REGINA — As expected, an NDP motion at committee calling for a special investigation by the Provincial Auditor into the water bomber purchase did not get very far.
A motion by Saskatoon Silverspring MLA Hugh Gordon was moved at the start of the Public Accounts Committee meeting on Monday, calling for the special investigation into the grounding of four water bombers during the wildfires, and concerns that taxpayers were overcharged $100 million for the new planes.
It was defeated by a 4-2 vote, with the four Sask Party MLAs on the committee voting against.
The motion had come on the heels of the recent controversy over the province's purchase of four water bombers to Conair at a price tag of $187 million. A competing bidder, Coulson Aircrane, has filed court documents against the province challenging that deal, claiming their own planes would have cost $100 million less.
In a statement Monday morning, Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail blasted the government for failing to support the call for a special investigation.
“People have lost homes – the least they deserve is answers from their government,” said McPhail.
“After 18 years, the Sask. Party has grown tired, out of touch, and they don't think the rules apply to them. A full-fledged investigation into this scandal is the only way to make sure this never happens again.”
