Green Party leader Andrew Weaver is calling for a public inquiry into Port Mann Bridge construction spending after a CBC News investigation uncovered millions in allegedly misspent funds.
The story, which was based in large part on leaked documents provided to the public broadcaster, broke Thursday morning and outlined how $150 million was spent to speed up work on the infrastructure project.
In a statement yesterday, Weaver said an independent review of Port Mann Bridge construction spending is required to determine whether taxpayers’ interests were adequately protected.
“The allegations that at least $150 million of taxpayer money has been misspent by the [former BC] Liberal government on this project is deeply troubling,” Weaver said. “British Columbians deserve answers.”
According to the CBC, a lack of oversight and verification of invoices meant the province overpaid millions for the Port Mann Bridge construction. The media outlet also learned that in some cases, the province ignored its own rules about tendering and oversight over the course of the project in order for the crossing to be opened on schedule in December 2012 — ahead of the May 2013 provincial election.
Coquitlam-Maillardville NDP MLA Selina Robinson stopped short of calling for a public inquiry into the matter but told The Tri-City News Thursday that she is outraged at some of the allegations made in the CBC report.
She noted that at the time the incident took place in 2012, the province was making cuts to education, seniors care and adult basic education.
“They [made the cuts] because they preferred to spend money to speed up a project so they could look good,” she said.
Robinson added that the NDP government is currently looking into the matter and will be determining next steps in the weeks ahead.
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