The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released an audit letter today showing serious concerns with expenses being racked up at the Tataskweyak Cree Nation related to Manitoba Hydro projects. The expenses are part of $224 million racked up by all northern reserves that Hydro has paid for, but refuses to release a single receipt.

The audit letter notes: “It has been estimated that the total travel that has been double reimbursed during the year amounted to approximately $100,000.”

“One-hundred thousand dollars worth of double billing for travel is nothing to dismiss,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “Hydro must be questioning what is going in with other expenses it has paid for on the reserve. It should also revisit allegations of public funds being spent on video game systems, big screen TVs and cash payouts to band members.”

The audit letter goes on to note “projects are ‘lending’ funds to other projects which is not allowed per the contribution agreements and could result in clawback of funds. For instance, the Water and Sewer Project, forwarded $2,320,000 to Water and Sewer Participation which could be clawed back by Hydro as the contribution agreement prohibits lending to other projects.”

This information supports concerns raised by Manitoba’s official opposition and others about money flowing to the community for a “Keeyask Centre” and sewage upgrades but have been spent on other things.

“Plain and simple, Hydro is giving money to the reserve and the money is being spent without regard for the rules,” continued Craig. “We’ve been blowing this whistle for four years now and yet all the way along Hydro and government officials just put their hands over their ears and ignore the problem.”

The CTF’s concerns were also backed up by former Public Utilities Board Chairman Graham Lane who called on the government to conduct an audit into the $224 million of expenses hydro has paid for northern reserves at a recent Frontier Centre for Public Policy luncheon.

To view the audit letter - click here

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