• CTF releases SaskPower document that shows questionable "refurbishment plan" for its Regina headquarters

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released a SaskPower document today that outlines a partial cost breakdown for the proposed $143 million refurbishment of the crown corporation’s Regina head office. (Photo SaskPower head office: Flickr/SaskPower)

The CTF obtained the document through the Freedom of Information Act. Some of the more questionable expenses documented in the report include:

• $282,000 for a rooftop patio; including heaters and $72,750 for stone floors
• $65,628 for “living walls” (grass or moss covered walls?)
• $200,000 for kitchen equipment
• $173,250 on metal cladding for the “penthouse”
• $60,750 on “executive area” upgrades
• $20,000 for two electric car charging stations
• $100,000 for a rainwater tank and piping

“It’s good the board has put this project on hold,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “Raising peoples’ power rates substantially while building a rooftop patio and spending thousands to put grass on walls in SaskPower’s headquarters doesn’t make sense.”

“People usually don’t have a problem with basic maintenance such as fixing elevators or repainting the building,” added Craig. “But the board needs to carefully question this project. They should be asking who at the crown corporation thought taxpayers could afford some of the more ridiculous expenses in the proposal.”

To view the document – click here