Saskatchewan. Party blocks NDP from calling former MP to testify on hotel costs

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Former Saskatchewan Party MP Gary Grewal will not be required to appear before the legislature to answer questions about violating conflict of interest law.

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On Thursday, the opposition New Democrats introduced two emergency motions, one of which called for Grewal to appear before the Assembly’s committee of the whole “to answer questions about the Department of Social Services’ hotel policies and the “opinion of the conflicts of interest commissioner of October 21, 2008”. 2024.”

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This review of Conflict of Interest Commissioner (COIC) Maurice Herauf found that Grewal had violated the Act twice while sitting in Saskatchewan. Party MP. Grewal became the subject of two COIC investigations when it emerged that two hotels he was affiliated with or owned had entered into contracts with the Department of Human Services.

Specifically, Sunrise Motels and Thriftlodge experienced an increase in government contracts after Grewal’s 2020 election. Over those four years, Grewal-related motels received $731,000 from the department.

Speaking after question period, Premier Scott Moe said, “You don’t see Mr. Grewal here,” in response to questions about a penalty. Asked what message it sends if the former congressman faces no consequences, Moe replied: “Historically, has this ever happened? Not to my knowledge.

Moe pointed out that Grewal did not run in the recent election.

However, MPs receive four months of transition allowance after serving in this position. NDP Leader Carla Beck pressed the point, saying Herauf was leaving it up to the Legislative Assembly to decide on a sanction.

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“Maybe just because there’s no precedent doesn’t mean something shouldn’t be done,” Beck said.

The motion failed in the Assembly after a heated question period.

The motion was presented by Meara Conway, the opposition ethics and democracy critic, who questioned the government’s decision not to impose sanctions on Grewal.

“Gary Grewal used to be a Saskois. A party MP, he earned $1,309 from government contracts. When he was an MP, he earned $731,000,” said Mr. Conway, who asked what the government believes would be an appropriate sanction in this matter.

“Or should one-term lawmakers who don’t run again just be allowed to ride off into the sunset with three-quarters of a million dollars in their pockets?”

Social Services Minister Terry Jensen did not consider any possible sanctions, instead saying that “the person across the way should know that the MP is a private citizen, and that is where he will stay,” Jensen said, adding that he accepted the COIC report that left the decision on sanctions with the Legislature.

“This is why people hate white-collar crime,” said Conway, who noted that the government seemed to let Grewal get away with it “without even a slap on the wrist.”

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Conway was cautioned by House Speaker Todd Goudy, who said the statements “did not seem appropriate.”

As well as rejecting the emergency motion on Grewal, the government also opposed a motion to conduct an investigation into food prices in the North, in response to reports that northern doctors La Ronge has treated 27 cases of scurvy in the last six months.

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