May 13, 2010
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FOR THE RICH ONLY
Twelve thousand dollar information fee a classic NDP manipulation: McFadyen
A simple request for information relating to a $1.5-million travel and hospitality expenditure at the University College of the North would cost $12,175, a ridiculous sum created in effort to deny access to information, says the Progressive Conservatives.
“It is inconceivable that it would take 19,200 minutes – or 320 hours – just to provide a breakdown of the travel and hospitality expenditure, especially considering the information was previously reported in the university’s annual report,” says Opposition Leader Hugh McFadyen. “It is clearly an attempt to deny access to information.”
McFadyen said the $1.5 million travel and hospitality budget is a taxpayer-funded expense and therefore the taxpayer has a right to know how the funds are spent. “We’re not suggesting anything untoward has taken place. We just want to know how taxpayer’s money is being spent during this era of massive deficits.”
When NDP Minister of Advanced Education Diane McGifford was asked about UCN’s $1.5 million travel and hospitality expenditure in estimates last week, she simply shrugged her shoulders and deferred to the college.
“I would think it is part of her job to know how universities are spending taxpayer dollars,” said PC Advanced Education Critic Mavis Taillieu. “This expenditure was part of an audited financial statement and yet she’s clueless about it. What else is she clueless about?”
The public has also been stonewalled in obtaining information through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by the following departments:
· Department of Housing and Community Development – 3 non-responses
· Department of Family Services – 12 non-responses
· Hydro – 6 non-responses
· Entrepreneurship, Training, & Trade – 3 non-responses
· Finance – 2 non-responses
· Sport – 1 non-response
· Hydro – 6 non-responses
· Health - 2 responses with an $8,205 fee estimate
For more information, please contact:
Rochelle Squires, Acting Director of Media Relations
Manitoba Progressive Conservative Caucus
Tel: (204) 945-5519 Cell: (204) 791-8221
Email: rochelle.squires@leg.gov.mb.ca
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