The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on former premier Andrew Furey to consent to releasing the Rothschild and Company report on provincial government assets that cost taxpayers $5.4 million.

“Taxpayers paid more than $5 million for this report and they deserve to see it,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director and General Counsel. “Why would Furey want to hide the report from the taxpayers who paid for it?”

The Newfoundland and Labrador government hired Rothschild and Company to review provincial government assets and explore options for managing or selling them in 2021. The work was delivered to government in the spring of 2022, but the public has still not seen the analysis or recommendations.

Premier Tony Wakeham said he tried to obtain the report since taking office last year. The work was delivered to cabinet under the previous government, that means releasing the material requires permission from Furey.

Furey has refused, arguing the report falls under cabinet confidence.

“Cabinet confidence should not be used to bury a consulting report paid for by taxpayers,” Drover said. “When government hires outside consultants to study public assets, taxpayers should be able to see the results.”

Newfoundland and Labrador carries one of the highest per capita debt burdens in the country, with each resident’s share of the provincial debt exceeding $35,000. Debt interest payments are projected to cost taxpayers more than $1.2 billion this year.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is facing serious financial challenges and every option needs to be on the table, including those studied in the report,” Drover said. “Before politicians spend another cent on studies, taxpayers deserve to see what $5.4 million already bought.

“Taxpayers funded the Rothschild review and they deserve to see the results.”