Sask. NDP criticizes nearly $1 million spent on former Prime Minister's consulting firm
The Government of Saskatchewan has paid former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s consulting firm nearly $1 million over the past four years for trade advice. The opposition says it has been blocked while trying to gather more details on the contract.
Harpers' name entered into debate during question period on Monday – as the Saskatchewan NDP criticized the performance of the provincial economy, citing recent numbers from Statistics Canada.
“For eleven consecutive months the value of merchandise exports in Saskatchewan has fallen year over year,” NDP MLA Aleana Young said during question period. “Job growth is anemic.”
According to Statistic’s Canada, Saskatchewan’s domestic exports averaged $3.7 billion per month from March 2024 to May 2023.
In the previous 11 month span, the province’s average monthly domestic exports were valued at around $5 billion.
The Saskatchewan NDP requested a copy of the $240,000 annual contract granted to the former prime minister's Calgary based consulting firm – Harper and Associates.
According to the document, the former PM is instructed to focus on four key areas. They include senior level trade advice, advice on international strategy, trade intelligence and investment attraction.
Beyond the general focuses, specific details are redacted. An omission not appreciated by the Official Opposition.
“This is a question of transparency,” Young told reporters. “When it comes to spending taxpayer dollars this is a government that has been playing pretty fast and loose when it comes to using Saskatchewan people’s money to reward their friends and insiders.”
“It’s completely reasonable to ask what the deliverables are for this contract.”
The NDP raised the issue while the former Prime Minister was in Regina, speaking at Saskatchewan’s Food, Fuel and Fertilizer Global Summit on Monday.
“I’ll say once again, congratulations but I think you’re only scratching the surface of the opportunity that really exists for this province,” Harper said in his remarks.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Trade and Export Development Jeremy Harrison defended the contract with Harper’s firm.
“Our direct engagement with leaders around the world has resulted in literally hundreds of millions of dollars of opportunity for our companies to do business which results in tens of thousands of jobs,” Harrison argued.
Young argued that the statistics show the opposite.
“We have those same statistics that the minister pointed to in question period and they show for key sectors in Saskatchewan, whether its agriculture, whether its oil and gas, whether it’s mining, transportation, retail or admin – they’re going down under this premier,” Young argued.
In a written statement, the government said Harper provides advice on energy, resources and agriculture but did not provide further details.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tanks reach Rafah's centre as Israel presses assault despite global scrutiny
Israeli tanks reached the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground operation in the southern Gaza city that has sparked global condemnation.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.
Five of Ontario's top 10 worst roads are located in the Toronto area
A new pothole-riddled street in Hamilton has taken the top spot for the worst road in Ontario, according to a new list released by the Canadian Automotive Association (CAA) on Tuesday.
DEVELOPING In Trump's hush money trial, prosecutors and defence lawyers are poised to make final pitch to jury
Prosecutors and defence lawyers in Donald Trump's hush money trial are set to deliver closing arguments to the jury Tuesday, each side looking to score final points with the panel before it starts deliberating the fate of the first former American president to be charged with felony crimes.
Red Lobster in Ontario court to discuss U.S. bankruptcy case, Canadian assets: docs
A lawyer for Red Lobster Canada, Inc. says he will ask an Ontario court today to recognize and enforce the chain’s U.S. bankruptcy protection proceedings, a process which documents show could include selling Canadian assets.