Premier Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party government heads toward an election in April, it has clearly recognized the need to mind its P's and Q's.
So one can only wonder why it's not better at minding its P3s.
Its justifications for its public-private partnership approach - especially when applied to the now $1.8-billion-plus Regina bypass - are becoming more specious by the day.
In fact, the government is in full spin mode, providing the media and even the NDP Opposition with Highways Ministry technical briefings.
The problem, however, is the more information it releases in dribs and drabs, the more legitimate appear the questions it seems to be providing for the media, Opposition and the "Why Tower Road?" crowd, which is now running a TV blitz on the costs.
This week, the questions seemed a lot better than the answers.
It all started with Opposition critic Trent Wotherspoon, who questioned the logic of government-employed snowplow operators plowing the Trans-Canada Highway having to lift their blades as they approach the 20-kilometre stretch of bypass from Balgonie to Regina.
This is what will happen once the bypass opens in 2018, because all maintenance matters (plowing, grass cutting, pothole and structural repairs, etc.) for 30 years will be the responsibility of the successful bidder - a Paris-based conglomerate. It will hire Saskatchewan crews to do the work.
Highways Minister Nancy Heppner was especially indignant, scolding Wotherspoon for not asking enough questions at his technical briefing and thus again bringing information to the assembly "that is not always correct."
The problem, however, is Wotherspoon does appear to be correct. And the Highways Ministry explanation as to why this would be the case was something-lessthan gracious.
The maintenance costs are a portion of an extra $680 million (essentially, the difference between the previous bypass construction estimate of $1.2 billion and the current $1.8-billion-plus price tag) that is called "risk transfer."
But how much of that extra $680 million taxpayers will shell out during the next 30 years for maintenance of the measly 20-kilometre stretch of highway remains an unknown. What we do know is that the snowplowing budget for the whole province is only $29 million a year.
Under the rules of the P3 bidding process, such a detailed breakdown in the bypass contract can't be released for competitive reasons, said SaskBuilds president Rupen Pandya.
more
P3 secrecy disrespectful to taxpayers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0j2saWqDBI&feature=player_detailpage
So one can only wonder why it's not better at minding its P3s.
Its justifications for its public-private partnership approach - especially when applied to the now $1.8-billion-plus Regina bypass - are becoming more specious by the day.
In fact, the government is in full spin mode, providing the media and even the NDP Opposition with Highways Ministry technical briefings.
The problem, however, is the more information it releases in dribs and drabs, the more legitimate appear the questions it seems to be providing for the media, Opposition and the "Why Tower Road?" crowd, which is now running a TV blitz on the costs.
This week, the questions seemed a lot better than the answers.
It all started with Opposition critic Trent Wotherspoon, who questioned the logic of government-employed snowplow operators plowing the Trans-Canada Highway having to lift their blades as they approach the 20-kilometre stretch of bypass from Balgonie to Regina.
This is what will happen once the bypass opens in 2018, because all maintenance matters (plowing, grass cutting, pothole and structural repairs, etc.) for 30 years will be the responsibility of the successful bidder - a Paris-based conglomerate. It will hire Saskatchewan crews to do the work.
Highways Minister Nancy Heppner was especially indignant, scolding Wotherspoon for not asking enough questions at his technical briefing and thus again bringing information to the assembly "that is not always correct."
The problem, however, is Wotherspoon does appear to be correct. And the Highways Ministry explanation as to why this would be the case was something-lessthan gracious.
The maintenance costs are a portion of an extra $680 million (essentially, the difference between the previous bypass construction estimate of $1.2 billion and the current $1.8-billion-plus price tag) that is called "risk transfer."
But how much of that extra $680 million taxpayers will shell out during the next 30 years for maintenance of the measly 20-kilometre stretch of highway remains an unknown. What we do know is that the snowplowing budget for the whole province is only $29 million a year.
Under the rules of the P3 bidding process, such a detailed breakdown in the bypass contract can't be released for competitive reasons, said SaskBuilds president Rupen Pandya.
more
P3 secrecy disrespectful to taxpayers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0j2saWqDBI&feature=player_detailpage
