Ghiz called for more witnesses at Public Accounts on Polar but now rejects more PNP

(Updated with quotes from Hansard)

Opposition Leader Crane asked the government ministers if they would support calling more witnesses to allow the Public Accounts Committee to do their job. Crane asked a series of questions that went from one Liberal Cabinet Minister to another and ended up at the Premier.

When Crane got to Premier Ghiz, she quoted from his own words when Polar Seafoods was under investigation and turned those words on him.

At that time, while in Opposition Ghiz called on the government to bring more witnesses including Neil Stewart to the Public Accounts Committee.

Crane quoted Ghiz 2006, “I move, Mr. Chairman, (of the PAC) that in light of some of this information that came to light today regarding insufficient answers, regarding
hearsay, regarding as not being able to find out who exactly gave information to KPMG, that we ask KPMG to come before this committee. And we ask the bureaucrats – I believe their names are Kent Scales, who was interviewed, Mr. Neil Stewart, if I’m correct on that, Mr. Chairman. I believe that we should ask these individuals to come before the committee.” Hansard

Crane asked Ghiz today would he support call more witnesses to the Public Accounts Committee including deputy ministers, other public servants and other people.

“My question – these are your own words, Premier. Do you support having witnesses at Public Accounts, all witnesses, Premier?” Crane in Hansard.

Ghiz replied that it was “apples and oranges.” The Auditor General had called for a forensic audit of Polar and that included the RCMP. There was no forensic audit or RCMP of the PNP which meant the two were not similar.

Crane noted the double standard when Robert Ghiz himself wanted Neil Stewart, a high ranking civil servant, to testify but a few years later would not let him testify.

“Laws were broken,” said Ghiz. Laws have not been broken this time.”

Ghiz said he would not ask Public Accounts to call more witnesses and “tar people’s reputation.”

Prior to calling on the Premier, Crane had quizzed each cabinet minister one after the other: If you were on the Public Accounts Committee, would you support calling more witnesses including ministers, deputies and civil servants.

Wes Sheridan, Gerard Greenan, Neil LeClair, Carolyn Bertram, Valerie Docherty, Doug Currie and Ronnie McKinley all refused to suggest more witnesses be called.

McKinley said he would respect the rules of the House and the rules of the Public Accounts. “You are trying to intimidate members of the committee.”

Crane was undeterred and called on the each Minister to be part of more open and transparent government.