Untendered $7.7-million Contract Went to PC Donors

March 15, 2019

Winnipeg - Manitoba Liberals say Premier Pallister's recently announced "ethical procurement plan" is meaningless, given that Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler granted $11.2-million in untendered contracts - including one for $7.7-million to a company whose Owner and CEO are PC Party donors.

On March 6th, Pallister told the legislature that there was no comparison between his own government and the previous NDP, which the Premier and his party had attacked for giving a $5-million contract for "tiger dams" to an NDP donor.

"Unlike handing contracts to donors without even trying to shop around, which the previous government did ... we are strengthening the integrity of the purchasing process in this province," Pallister said.

A review of the PC donors lists show that some of the principals involved in Sigfusson Northern have made significant donations to the PC party.

"The Premier is absolutely obsessed with Ottawa, while ignoring what is happening in his own cabinet," said Lamont. "This is exactly what the Premier complained about with the NDP and Tiger Dams, except the untendered contract is worth even more money."

Page 48 of PC annual financial report for 2017 has the following donations:

Grant Sigfusson - Owner of Sigfusson Northern LTD - donated $1150

Warren Sigfusson - Chairman of the Board and Director - Donated $4050

Page 54 of PC annual financial report for 2016 has the following donations:

Grant Sigfusson - Owner of Sigfusson Northern LTD - donated $375

Warren Sigfusson - Chairman of the Board and Director - Donated $2250

"The PCs latest scandal is extremely frustrating, because all it does is contribute to cynicism and apathy, and it makes reforms even harder," said Lamont.

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