'The needs of the client': Ministry refutes Sask. NDP allegations of gov't funnelling social service funding to MLA owned hotels
Tuesday night in government committee saw the Ministry of Social Services release documents revealing how much funding was sent to two Regina motels associated with Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal.
The report showed in the three years prior to Grewal’s election in 2020 – the province paid the hotels just $1,309.
Since Grewal’s election, that number has risen to $731,194. Social Services has said it utilizes hotels when shelter spaces are unavailable.
The ministry has explained the increased funding to a rise of importance relating to assisting those with complex needs.
However, the Saskatchewan NDP have called the increase an explosion of public funds being funnelled to government officials.
Jeff Redekop, the executive director of income assistance delivery with the ministry, categorically denied the allegations.
“Frontline staff are looking for what options [are] available for clients who are in need,” he explained. “The ministry has generally no knowledge of who owns the hotel and has never been instructed by government to use a certain hotel.”
“It’s about the needs of the client,” he added.
Opposition critic for social services Meara Conway said the numbers don’t lie.
“Three quarters of a million dollars – it’s damning,” she said. “It’s right there in black and white. I know they want to make this about something personal. The numbers speak for themselves.”
Conway added that the hotel’s inflated their rates for rooms used by social services.
Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky has said amendments to the government’s procurement process and a pilot project are underway to bring hotel room related costs down.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977485.1721935249!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.