Documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) show the company hired to work with the Nova Scotia government to ensure the Bluenose is built on time and on budget, has been paid more than three times the original tender, and the boat is more than two and a half years late.
The documents, obtained through the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, shows MHPM Consultants (of Ottawa) have been charging taxpayers about $25,000 a month since November 2009. The original tender was for $375,000 and as of September 2013 Nova Scotians have given $1.3 million to this company.
“Why do taxpayers keep paying $25,000 a month to this company to manage the rebuild of the Bluenose when the project is already years late and millions over budget?” asked Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
The contract between MHPM and the government states the pre and post construction phase of the Bluenose would take just 17 months (note: information can be found HERE on page 11,12). Now more than 49 months after signing the contact the Bluenose still has not been delivered to the government.
“The real shame of the government’s bungling of this project is the stain it has put on the proud history of the Bluenose,” added Lacey.
The CTF believes MHPM and Department of Community, Culture and Heritage should turn over project management of the Bluenose to the Department of Transportation who is used to dealing with major projects (MHPM has never worked on wooden boats before). And a community advisory board be set up to ensure the historical nature of the boat is maintained even after boat has been delivered.
“It’s time end the $25,000 a month payments to the consultants who can’t seem to get the job done and pass it on to the folks in Transportation who might be able to pull the project out of the fire,” continued Lacey.
FOIP documents including the contract between the government and MHPM can be found HERE.
Tender for MHPM HERE
MHPM invoices can be found here for: 2009/10, 2011, 2012, 2013
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