REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the government to disclose details on $1.1 million deal with Mind's Eye Entertainment to produce commercials for the "Our Future is Wide Open" campaign.

Media reports have revealed that $1.2 million in production work on the province's much-maligned feel-good campaign went to government-owned and subsidized Mind's Eye Entertainment. Mind's Eye is currently operating under protection from its creditors, the largest of which are the taxpayers of Saskatchewan.

Premier Lorne Calvert is quoted as saying he is confident that proper tendering procedures were followed.

The CTF is calling on government to disclose the number of bids received for the contract, and documents proving that a formal Request for Proposals was issued.

"The province has lied about the budget for the campaign, lied about how much has been spent, and now they ask us to take their word for it that proper tendering procedures were followed," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David MacLean. "This government must prove to taxpayers that it received serious bids on this very substantial government contract, and that Mind's Eye was selected based on merit alone."

"The province has exhibited a clear pattern of ignoring tendering procedures," added MacLean. "The billion-dollar deal with EDS to outsource computer network services was done in secrecy, which is what ultimately scuttled the deal. Is the deal with Mind's Eye another backroom agreement aimed at rewarding NDP supporters "

Can we afford this campaign
" The campaign is currently costing taxpayers $131,000 per day. With Premier Calvert's recent 'belt tightening' announcement, and the Provincial Auditor's revelations of rampant government waste and mismanagement, we have to ask ourselves, can we afford this campaign " added MacLean.

"If the government has any respect for the wishes of taxpayers, they will scrap the ad campaign today," said MacLean.