NEWS RELEASE: Taxpayers call for answers on paving contract overruns

St. John’s, N.L. – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is demanding answers from the Furey government regarding cost overruns on taxpayer-funded paving contracts across Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The Furey government has been unable to provide basic information regarding cost overruns in paving contracts funded by taxpayers in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Devin Drover, Atlantic Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “This includes answering fundamental questions about how our tax dollars are being spent and the specific causes and frequency of overruns.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation filed access-to-information requests to find out how many contracts go over budget and how often these contracts are extended.

The provincial government replied that it can’t provide the information because it doesn’t track cost overruns. The government said it would charge $7,000 and take a year to respond to the CTF’s access-to-information request.

“It’s almost unbelievable that the government doesn’t know how much its overpaying for paving,” said Drover. “And it’s absolutely outrageous that it would charge thousands of dollars and drag its feet for a year to check invoices it should already be watching like a hawk.

“Here’s an idea: the government should apologize for failing to keep an eye on paving contracts and provide this basic transparency immediately.”

The CTF is filing a request for review by the information commission regarding the government’s failure to follow the law and provide the documents.