Sept. 27, 2018

Canadian Taxpayers Federation demands an investigation into stadium-loan debacle

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) called today for a comprehensive investigation into the Winnipeg stadium deal that has now saddled taxpayers with more than $200 million in costs due to loans being written off.

“Politicians told taxpayers not to worry because they had a rock-solid plan to build a stadium,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director. “Now, just a few years later, taxpayers are being asked to pay for an enormous mess. We can’t just shrug and put this in the past. The provincial government has a responsibility to get to the bottom of the situation, hold people responsible and learn the lessons necessary to make sure this never happens again.”

The provincial government recently announced that it’s writing off a loan of $82 million because it does not believe the Blue Bombers and others will have the ability to pay it off.

The provincial government previously wrote off a loan for $118.7 million that was supposed to be paid with tax revenue generated by developments at the old stadium site – a location that remains largely undeveloped.

“Obviously, former premier Greg Selinger and the government of the day are responsible for the debacle,” said MacKay. “But that cannot be the end of the story. Premier Brian Pallister and the current government were elected to clean up these messes. This government needs to initiate a comprehensive investigation.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Todd MacKay – CTF Prairie Director – 306-582-7717 – [email protected]