Consultants hired through a government program to streamline health services in Saskatchewan have spent more than $2.7 million on travel costs.

The province is paying $40 million over four years for the consultants, who are looking for ways to reduce spending and improve health-care efficiency.

A cost breakdown for the Lean contract with U.S. company John Black and Associates includes travel costs from July 2014 to November 2015.

Health Minister Dustin Duncan says the government knew that consultants would need to travel to Saskatchewan.

The costs include travel for John Black as well as a number of other people.

The Opposition is also criticizing an internal email that says the company was spending at least 25 per cent of its time and budget over three months earlier this year responding to comments and questions.