Premier Brad Wall has asked provincial auditor Judy Ferguson to examine why the government paid $21 million for just over a quarter section of land that's in the path of the Regina bypass project.
“The auditor is welcome to look at this,” Wall said in a media scrum Monday.
The move comes just hours after the NDP initiated steps that could have forced the government's hand. The opposition used its power to recall the legislature's public account's committee, where the matter might have unfolded in front of television cameras.
“Saskatchewan people, Saskatchewan taxpayers, Saskatchewan citizens deserve to know the truth and the provincial auditor, that's what she does best," said NDP Leader Cam Broten.
At issue is why the government's Global Transportation Hub paid land speculators $103,000 an acre for property that the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure believed was worth only half that. The GTH subsequently sold a portion of the land back to the ministry at a 50 per cent financial loss.
"I'm completely satisfied with the work of the GTH in purchasing these things," Wall said.
Ferguson is expected to meet with her officials next week to chart the course of the review.
Progressive Conservative Leader Rick Swenson, who helped bring the land deal to light, says the auditor’s report should be released before the upcoming provincial election.
“Most voters, most taxpayers would like to know these issues before we elect a government," Swenson said.
However, voters likely won’t see the outcome of any review until well after the April 4 election.
Based on a report by CTV Regina’s Wayne Mantyka
