Premier Scott Moe faces criticism over cost of bringing former PM Stephen Harper on India trip
Premier Scott Moe is facing criticism after it was revealed that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined a recent Sask. trade mission to India.
The premier documented his trade mission on Twitter, with Harper appearing at his side in several photos over the course of the trip.
Harper joined the delegation as a private consultant. Members of the opposition posed questions to the premier and the government, asking who covered Harper’s fee.
“Why was it necessary to take an expensive, out of province consultant to India and what did it cost Saskatchewan people to take Mr. Harper on that trip?” Saskatchewan United Party Leader Nadine Wilson asked during question period.
The government didn’t provide a direct answer in the house.
“It’s important that we’re visible to our major customers, Mr. Speaker. India is a major customer,” Jim Reiter Minister of Energy and Resources said during the exchange.
The province later released a statement, explaining that the former prime minister’s firm, Harper & Associates, has had a contract with the provincial government since 2019.
“The firm provides valuable advice, access, expertise, and support to advance Saskatchewan’s economic interests around the world,” the statement read.
The contract pays $240,000 annually, while Harper is responsible for his own travel costs, the province explained.
According to Bruce Anderson, a member of the business faculty at the University of Regina, the results of Harper’s work can be measured.
“It would be fairly easy to measure whether he gives some access or not and if he doesn’t, then it’s not worth it,” he said.
“If he does gives them access and he makes those things possible, then it’s probably a worthwhile exercise.”
In its statement to CTV News, the Government of Saskatchewan stated the benefits of Harper’s contract are ‘’significant’ but did not go into more detail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New non-invasive tool detects early stages of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Researchers at Carleton University's Department of Electronics in Ottawa created a ground-breaking testing device to detect early signs of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s through biomolecular activities in a person’s saliva.
'Tone-deaf': Singh slams rapporteur Johnston for not stepping down
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slammed foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's refusal to heed the House of Commons' call for him to step down as 'tone-deaf.'
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
Jordan's royal wedding gets underway in ceremony packed with stars and deep symbolism
The wedding of Jordan's crown prince to the scion of a prominent Saudi family began on Thursday in a palace celebration that drew massive crowds and a mood of excitement around the kingdom, while presenting the young Hashemite royal as a new player on the global stage.
Hidden camera discovered in washroom at Gatineau, Que. elementary school
Gatineau police say officers responded to a call from staff at l’école l'Oiseau Bleu on Nelligan Street just after 10 a.m. Friday about a camera found in the washroom.
'Both of them had a heart of gold': Family releases statement on engaged couple shot dead at home near Hamilton
The family of an engaged couple who were shot dead following a dispute with their landlord in Stoney Creek over the weekend released a statement of their loved ones, remembering them as 'two beautiful souls.'
Air Canada reports communications system issue, flights operating at reduced rate
Air Canada reported a technical issue with its flight communications system on Thursday, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
RBC resolves technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada has resolved a technical issue that temporarily impacted online and mobile banking.
Biden trips after speech addressing U.S. Air Force Academy graduates
President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked U.S. Air Force Academy graduates for choosing “service over self” but said they now have the “great privilege” of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come. His appearance was punctuated by a stumble onstage after handing out diplomas to graduates.
Saskatoon
-
Following outcry, Sask. government pledges $40M top-up for education budget
A month after Premier Scott Moe said more money was on the way for school divisions, Saskatchewan's education minister announced a $40 million top-up.
-
Saskatoon woman randomly stabbed in torso while shopping downtown
The victim of a random stabbing in downtown Saskatoon last Thursday is sharing her story about the terrifying attack in broad daylight.
-
Sask. wildfire crews 'stretched' by hot start to season
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) says it’s looking to give provincial fire crews a break, but the fires raging in Nova Scotia and Alberta mean that respite could be in short supply.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg among parts of Manitoba under heat warning
The mercury is rising in parts of Manitoba including Winnipeg where heat warnings have been issued.
-
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
-
Search for missing teen has been suspended, family says
The search for a missing teen last seen more than a week ago in Winnipeg has been suspended after a body that has yet to be identified was found.
Calgary
-
Suspect sought in attempted sexual assault in Royal Oak
Calgary police are hoping the public can help them identify a man wanted in the attempted sexual assault of a woman in the community of Royal Oak last week.
-
Explosions erupt from southwest Calgary home's garage
Fire crews, along with police, are investigating after a double detached garage outside a southwest home burst into flames on Thursday morning.
-
Drawn to 'the joy of letters': Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild volunteers to host exhibit at Central Library
It's a celebration of the handwritten word throughout the month of June at Calgary's Central Library.
Edmonton
-
Remains of Edmonton man found west of the city
Police are searching for information in the homicide of an Edmonton man found west of the city.
-
Krispy Kreme planning Alberta expansion, starting in Edmonton
Krispy Kreme will soon have a drive-thru and dine-in location in the Alberta capital, and that's just the beginning, the global doughnut giant and a local developer announced Thursday.
-
2 Edmonton outdoor pools open for season, 2 more to open in following weeks
Thursday's overcast weather didn't stop Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack from turning up to Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool's grand opening in swimming trunks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Debate cancelled as police look for man who allegedly threatened to shoot Toronto mayoral candidates
A 29-year-old man is wanted by police for allegedly threatening to shoot candidates running for Toronto mayor on Thursday.
-
Ontario airport set to shutdown as landowner explores redevelopment plans
An Ontario airport announced it is planning on shutting down as its landowner explores redeveloping the grounds north of Toronto.
-
Large part of Ontario now under provincial fire ban
A large part of Ontario is under a provincial fire ban due to high risk of forest fires.
Ottawa
-
HEAT WARNING
HEAT WARNING | Hottest June 1 in Ottawa history
The temperature hit 29.8 C at 11 a.m. Thursday, setting a record for the warmest June 1 in Ottawa’s history. The old record was 29.6 C, set back in 2011, according to Environment Canada.
-
Hidden camera discovered in washroom at Gatineau, Que. elementary school
Gatineau police say officers responded to a call from staff at l’école l'Oiseau Bleu on Nelligan Street just after 10 a.m. Friday about a camera found in the washroom.
-
Two city employees fired following tips to Ottawa's fraud and waste hotline in 2022
The city of Ottawa fired two employees with "medical related duties" for submitting falsified vaccination status documents last year following a tip to the city's fraud and waste hotline, according to a new report from the city's auditor general.
Vancouver
-
Man arrested after cyclist struck with rock on Kamloops trail, RCMP say
A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a cyclist with a rock in Kamloops earlier this week.
-
B.C. bus driver who drove drunk with 35 passengers on board fined, has licence suspended
A B.C. man who drove a commercial bus carrying 35 passengers while he was drunk has been fined $1,000 and had his licence suspended for one year.
-
ICBC introduces new 'distance-based discount' for drivers
British Columbians who drive fewer than 10,000 kilometres a year are now eligible for a break on their insurance, according to ICBC.
Montreal
-
About 41,000 Hydro-Quebec customers still without power due to forest fires
Several regions of the province have been hit by power outages. The total of Quebec customers without electricity right now stands at 227,881.
-
Calling 311? Bill 96 now requires Montrealers to 'attest' they can get English services
Residents who wish to speak with the City of Montreal by calling 311 now have to attest they can receive services in English because of Bill 96. New provisions of the language law came into effect Thursday.
-
Success is as sweet as sorbet for grade 6 students at Dorval high school
Grade six students at Ecole Gentilly in Dorval are looking forward to the end of the school year, for a variety of obvious reasons, but also because the fundraising project they've been working on is pretty sweet.
Vancouver Island
-
Wildfire near Sayward, B.C., remains out of control, but officials say progress being made
British Columbia wildfire officials say crews are making progress in their efforts to suppress a large forest fire on northern Vancouver Island, though the 160-hectare blaze was still burning out of control Thursday.
-
Staff shortage, illnesses behind bus cancellations in Sooke School District
The Sooke School District says an ongoing staffing shortage and recent illnesses are behind the cancellation of several school bus routes.
-
B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon
The British Columbia government is adding $17.25 million for ongoing efforts to save declining populations of wild Pacific salmon.
Atlantic
-
N.S. premier calls for urgent, proactive firefighting help from Ottawa
Premier Tim Houston repeated his calls for urgent firefighting help Thursday, asking Ottawa to “be proactive” with aid as multiple wildfires continue to burn out of control.
-
Waegwoltic Club burns in south-end Halifax
A historic athletic club in south-end Halifax is on fire.
-
Prospect Road fire 'knocked down,' but not yet under control: Halifax deputy fire chief
Halifax deputy fire chief David Meldrum says a new fire started Thursday afternoon on Prospect Road, near St. Margaret’s Bay Road, and “a large area of forest and brush are involved.”
Northern Ontario
-
New non-invasive tool detects early stages of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Researchers at Carleton University's Department of Electronics in Ottawa created a ground-breaking testing device to detect early signs of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s through biomolecular activities in a person’s saliva.
-
Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape, 'That '70s Show' actor faces 30 years to life
'That '70s Show' star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.
-
3 girls now charged in assault, kidnapping investigation in Huntsville
Huntsville OPP has charged a third girl in connection to an alleged assault captured on video at a local high school and shared on social media earlier this month.
Kitchener
-
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
CAUGHT ON CAMERA | Staff at Kitchener, Ont. business thwart attempted robbery
“Nope this isn’t going to happen today, that’s not how it’s going to go down,” employee Mallory Robinson recalls thinking.
-
Serious collision injures two in Guelph
Two people have been taken to hospital after a serious crash in a Guelph parking lot.
-
Two injured in downtown Kitchener stabbing
Waterloo regional police say two people were sent to hospital after a stabbing in downtown Kitchener.