EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released information obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act regarding the absence of work performed by Tory insider Kelley Charlebois, for which he received $373,774.46.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness paid Charlebois Consulting Ltd. $143,019.56 in 2001-02, then $119,342.75 in 2002-03, then $111,412.15 in 2003-04 for "advice, analysis and recommendations regarding strategic direction" and "advice for key and emerging issues."

According to the Freedom of Information response obtained by the CTF:

"The work done by the consultant was advisory in nature; therefore the consultant was not required to produce reports."

The Ministry of Health and Wellness currently has 1,287 employees.

"What advice did Mr. Charlebois give to cabinet that was worth $374,000 " asked CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.

"Was the advice given by Mr. Charlebois political advice If yes, why are taxpayers paying for that " added Carpay.

"Does Health Minister Gary Mar lack confidence in his 1,287 employees, that he would pay hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to a Tory insider as a consultant " asked Carpay.

"With 25,788 provincial employees working for the Alberta government, many of them in communications, there is no need to give away tax dollars to consultants," concluded Carpay.

The only document provided to the CTF in respect of the $374,000 paid to Charlebois Consulting Ltd. was a seven-page "Communications audit" from which all relevant information has been blanked out because it would reveal advice to cabinet. The "Communications audit" contains a list of 46 people whom Kelley Charlebois "interviewed," but no further information.

"If this kind of consulting work is truly beneficial to taxpayers, it should be put out to a competitive bid," concluded Carpay.