Auditor Responds to CTF Request to Open Province's Books
WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today commended the Provincial Auditor for taking the first step toward an audit of provincial subsidies awarded to the True North Entertainment Complex.
Replying to an audit request by the CTF, Provincial Auditor Jon Singleton agreed to include the arena subsidy deal to his list of potential audits executed by his office. "I have added this particular project to the list of potential audits," stated Singleton in a letter to the CTF. "I will undertake to revisit this particular potential audit when the project is formally launched and public monies have been transferred to the project."
Victor Vrsnik, CTF provincial Director is optimistic that Mr. Singleton will, upon weighing the body of evidence, arrive at the decision to order a value-for-money audit.
"The secrecy, half-truths and misrepresentations surrounding the arena subsidy negotiations have left a surprising number of clues, bits of evidence and irregularities to warrant a full fledged audit of the government's books," said Vrsnik.
Misrepresentation:- Public mislead by Ron Lemieux, Minister of Culture Heritage and Tourism, who first denied and later admitted that he was appraised of a Manitoba Heritage Council recommendation on Eaton's heritage status.
- Public mislead by government on the full extent of VLT revenue caps for arena owners.
Secrecy:- No cost/benefit analysis or business plan is made available for public scrutiny.
- No public hearings are scheduled to review the provincial subsidy deal.
Half-Truth:- Public hoodwinked into believing arena-funding package is a private sector lead initiative. CTF shows full public costs (subsidies and tax credits) are at least $47 million in the first year and $256 million in 25 years (see: June 26th news release: http://www.taxpayer.com/newsreleases/mb/June25-01.htm).
"To ensure that Manitobans receive value for the public monies invested in the arena deal, the provincial auditor should open the province's books without delay," concluded Vrsnik