The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released “blacked out” Manitoba Hydro documents today that are fully readable. The documents confirm what the CTF has said for years – consultants are gorging off Hydro dam negotiations; some charging more than $250 per hour.

The documents are part of freedom of information responses to a CTF contact. Hydro attempted to black out the “confidential” information, but failed to properly conceal the details. In one document it shows there was an attempt to expense someone’s laundry services. Another notes Tataskweyak Cree Nation was approved for $74,757 for a “Signing Ceremony” for the Keeyask Dam while its partner, War Lake, only was approved for $6,978.

“We’ve been saying for years that there’s a whole industry of consultants feeding off the $224 million Hydro has given to aboriginal communities up north for dam negotiations,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “Whistleblowers have been raising legitimate concerns such as the millions being provided for buildings and sewage systems that don’t even exist. Now we see as much as $75,000 was blown on a signing ceremony. It’s time for the auditor to look into the whole situation.”

The CTF has tried in the past to obtain information on the $224 million paid by Manitoba Hydro, but has been refused by the crown corporation every step of the way – normally claiming it’s all confidential.

“How a crown corporation can cover up $224 million in spending by refusing to disclosing any details, is absurd,” concluded Craig.

The CTF also released Band Council Resolutions (BCRs) which show the Tataskweyak Cree Nation paid amounts over and above the $250/hr cap Manitoba Hydro imposed.

To view the signing ceremony document - click here.
To view the consultant bills - click here.
To view the “laundry services” bill - click here.
To view the Tataskweyak Cree Nation’s Band Council Resolutions – click here.

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