Sask. NDP even now waiting for answers from province on Sunrise Resort controversy

The Minister of Social Services has nevertheless to provide info on the Dawn Resort controversy in Regina just after promising answers, the provincial NDP statements.

On Thursday, NDP MLA and Ethics and Democracy Critic Meara Conway called for answers to the scandal, declaring that Gene Makowsky, the minister of social services, refused to answer to two independence of information and facts requests about payments into the Dawn Motel.

“Minister Makowsky promised solutions months in the past and continue to has not sent. All the evidence implies that he’s working interference for a teammate maybe actively playing dirty,” Conway reported in a information launch.

“Saskatchewan individuals get the job done really hard for their tax dollars. They ought to have to know no matter if Sask. Bash MLAs are applying their impact in just govt to benefit the personal enterprises of politicians.”

The provincial NDP initially alleged that the Dawn Motel in Regina, owned by Saskatchewan Bash MLA Gary Grewal, inflated a room price for a Regina resident on social aid on Nov. 15. The rate of a place for Evelyn Harper rose by 50 per cent after the Ministry of Social Solutions commenced footing the invoice.

The provincial governing administration disputed that declare, calling it “unfounded.” Grewal said he does not play any component in the day-to-day operations.

The provincial NDP submitted two freedom of information requests to the minister’s business on Dec. 12, one particular asking for guidelines on resort stays and one inquiring for clarity on which accommodations are utilised by the Ministry of Social Providers.

Makowsky’s business office did not supply answers by the deadline, in accordance to the NDP, proclaiming they did not have ample time to investigate.

The NDP is accusing the province of hiding the information but the governing administration stated it will be released by Feb. 10.

Meanwhile, the provincial auditor will investigate Saskatchewan’s procurement and payment methods when men and women on social support have to have to continue to be at inns, which will be launched in December in the 2024 Report (Quantity Two).

Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Makowsky reported the system is underway and the ministry will be capable to release something quickly.

“[We’re] surely not hiding everything. It’s just that these items do consider time. There is a whole lot of information and facts that officers have to go as a result of and that method has been underway for a when. Which is the place we’re at. It’s not a ducking out or making an attempt to not to do what I’ve committed to. I have dedicated to what the opposition has questioned for many occasions. It is just a issue of timing,” he mentioned.

The Ministry of Social Solutions pays bigger premiums at motels in lieu of harm deposits. That coverage is under review. The governing administration states it will get back again to the NDP quickly.

– With documents from Wayne Mantyka
