'Bitterly disappointed': Sask. political coalition responds to auditor's decision not to investigate funding
The provincial auditor has announced it will not perform an audit on the public-private Communities of Tomorrow partnership, after a coalition of Saskatchewan politicians requested an investigation into what happened to $34 million in funding.
Communities of Tomorrow was a research group formed in 2003 to provide leading edge research into community infrastructure needs. It produced several papers before disbanding in 2013.
The coalition of several Saskatchewan political entities, including the Green Party and Progress Party, were calling on the provincial auditor to investigate what happened to the funding, which was granted to the group more than two decades ago.
In a news release, the auditor’s office said their mandate “does not include assessing the appropriateness of government’s policy decisions, rather we focus on the government’s administration of public policy.”
“We do not see significant risks around public money being provided by the provincial government as a portion of the partnership back in 2003 and not being used for the purposes intended,” the news release read.
In response to the auditor’s announcement, the coalition said they were “bitterly disappointed” by the decision not to investigate.
The decision not to look into Communities of Tomorrow “means Saskatchewan taxpayers may never know how $34-million in public money was spent, and why nothing was ever done about old asbestos cement water pipes.”
“What could possibly be more important than reports saying the water pipes that people are using might cause cancer,” asked Saskatchewan Green Party Leader, Naomi Hunter.
Rose Buscholl, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, said this is “an issue of transparency and accountability.”
“Taxpayers shelled out at least $34 million to find solutions, and all we got was a word salad,” she said.
- With files from Wayne Mantyka
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Bank of Canada drops key interest rate to 3.25%, Trump tariff threat 'new source of uncertainty'
Canada's central bank has cut its key rate for the fifth consecutive time – now sitting at 3.25 per cent – as the country's economy grows at a slower rate than projected.
Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages
Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of 'man-made holes and tunnels' during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Sask. hockey coach convicted of historic sex crime back on day parole after 'behavioural concerns'
A former WHL coach found guilty last year of sexually assaulting a teen boy is back on day parole.
Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
The Body Shop Canada to be sold to Serruya Private Equity
The Body Shop Canada is due to be sold to a company led by the co-founder of frozen yogurt chain Yogen Früz.
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYC
Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with luring, drugging and violently raping dozens of women over more than a decade.
Saskatoon
-
Cold weather in Saskatchewan spurs furnace breakdowns, carbon monoxide concerns
The return of bitterly cold temperatures has first responders and HVAC technicians on stand-by, ready to respond to emergencies.
-
'Whatever anybody can donate': Sask. man uses school bus to help people stay warm
A Saskatchewan man who turned a school bus into a warmup shelter says his nonprofit desperately needs donations.
-
University of Saskatchewan's historic building slated for demolition
There is a building on the University of Saskatchewan campus that has been an eyesore for a few years, and now the historic building is slated for demolition. However, historians want campus officials to rethink the plan to get rid of it.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeggers face 5.95 per cent property tax increase in budget
Winnipeggers will be paying more property taxes than expected next year.
-
'We're not used to it this year': Extreme cold impacting Winnipeggers
The extreme cold has settled over much of Manitoba and the bone chilling temperatures are impacting people across the province, including in Winnipeg.
-
Woman, 72, dies following crash on Highway 41: RCMP
A 72-year-old woman is dead following a crash on an icy Manitoba highway Tuesday morning.
Edmonton
-
Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories
A man and a woman charged in the killing of a security guard in Edmonton will spend Christmas and New Year's behind bars.
-
Nurse 'best D' on Oilers as NHL team extends winning ways
Darnell Nurse has been a difference-maker for the Edmonton Oilers in their recent resurgence.
-
Struggling in your search for a sandbox in Edmonton? You're not alone
Some Edmontonians are finding the recent weather difficult to navigate without the help of city-supplied traction materials.
Calgary
-
'Scared and confused': 9-year-old Calgary girl recalls terrifying experience being stuck in stolen vehicle
A Calgary girl who was sitting in her dad's vehicle when it was stolen on Monday night is speaking out about the horrifying experience, along with her father.
-
Woman found badly injured along Nose Creek Pathway dies in hospital
A woman who was on life support after she was found badly injured in Calgary's northeast has died.
-
Calgary dry cleaner who pays it forward by feeding and clothing homeless says city hall throws up roadblocks
Imran Rajpoot, owner of Calgary-based Dolphin Dry Cleaners, has been providing essential clothing and food to many in Calgary’s homeless population for years.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge post-secondary schools trying to help students manage exam stress
Southern Alberta students are busy cramming for the final stretch of the exam season --and with all that extra work comes stress.
-
LDE will continue to operate Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, property tax increase deferred
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) will continue to operate the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre for at least for the next two years.
-
Advance voting begins for Lethbridge-West byelection
Plenty of voters were at the University Drive Alliance Church in Lethbridge on Tuesday to take advantage of advance voting for the Lethbridge-West byelection.
Toronto
-
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of 'man-made holes and tunnels' during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
-
Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago
Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river.
Ottawa
-
Council approves 3.9% tax hike in 2025 City of Ottawa budget, hikes senior monthly fares $9
City council has voted to approve the 2025 City of Ottawa budget that will include scaled back fares hikes for seniors and retain youth discount passes while raising taxes across the board for most homeowners.
-
Driver receives $10K in fines for speeding 134 km/h over speed limit on Highway 174 in Ottawa, police say
An Ottawa driver faces $10,000 in fines and is banned from driving for two years after being observed going 134 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 174.
-
Canada Post workers rally at headquarters as strike enters fourth week
Canada Post workers are continuing their fight for a deal as their strike stretches into its fourth week.
Montreal
-
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller facing new sex charges
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller is facing new criminal charges as he waits to go on trial on several sex offences.
-
Quebec hockey referees speak out about being subjected to violence on the ice
Hockey can be a violent sport but it’s not only the players receiving the blows. In a three-part report, Noovo Info uncovered stories of referees who have been badly injured on the ice, with some suffering scarring, head trauma and PTSD.
-
Montreal plans to turn Molson Brewery site into residential neighbourhood
The old industrial Molson Brewery site downtown Montreal will be transformed into a residential neighbourhood with a public park and some 5,000 housing units.
Vancouver
-
'He's building community': Video of joyful Surrey school crossing guard goes viral
A video showcasing a well-liked Surrey school crossing guard has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media.
-
Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island
Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device.
-
B.C. hunter used vehicle's headlights to shoot moose at night, conservation officers say
A man from northern B.C. has been given a $3,000 penalty after he was caught hunting moose at night.
Vancouver Island
-
Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island
Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device.
-
No Santa, no Rudolph: B.C. mother questions lyric changes for son's school concert
A Saanich, B.C., mom is questioning why her son came home from school with the words “Santa,” “Rudolph” and “Christmas” crossed out on a lyric sheet for his winter concert.
-
Commercial truck driver fired, facing charges after parked cars struck in Metro Vancouver
A commercial truck driver has been fired and is facing potential impaired driving charges after police say his tractor-trailer collided with four parked cars in Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
London
-
Blizzard, snow squall warnings in effect, as much as 80cm possible in some areas
More snow is expected to roll through the region this afternoon, and it’s coming out swinging.
-
Accused in bush bash shooting testifies claiming he feared for his life
Testifying in his own defence, Carlos Guerra Guerra said he showed up to the bush party for young people in a field off of Pack Road in southwest London in July of 2021 after his friend Emily Altmann called him for help.
-
Man assaults and disarms police in Hyde Park bank: London police
Police responded to the business, and upon their arrival the man was asked to leave. He then threw an object in the direction of two police officers.
Kitchener
-
140-pound dog strolls solo into Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont.
A furry, four-legged shopper was spotted in the aisles of a Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. on Sunday morning.
-
Another blast of winter weather coming our way
After a few days of warmer weather, winter is making its return.
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury police make big drug bust at apartment connected to assault suspect
As Sudbury police continue to investigate Tuesday's assault on Elm Street, a search of the apartment where some of the suspects were found uncovered $135,000 in drugs.
-
Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston
Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims.
-
Sudbury family celebrates liberation of their home country of Syria
A Syrian family living in Sudbury, Ont., is celebrating a significant political shift in their home country after rebels took over the government.
Atlantic
-
Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without boots
A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
-
Truro man wanted on provincewide warrant: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is searching for a man from Truro, N.S., who is wanted on a provincewide warrant.
-
Maritime weather: Rainy, windy weather moves through region
More rain and wind are ahead for the Maritimes Wednesday through Thursday, with weather warnings in effect for parts of the region.
N.L.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
