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Opposition Leader Roger Grimes says that contrary to what Minister Sullivan
has suggested, Michael Gourley’s $8,000 trip for the public relations
exercise in January was not part of the original $115,000 contract for the
external audit report. In fact, an extra $16,781 was paid out in expenses as
an addendum to the original contract bringing the total cost of the external
audit to over $131,000.
"While government would have the public believe that the external
audit cost $115,000, there were actually two contracts," said Mr.
Grimes. "The original contract cost over $114,000, and the extra work
and trip for Mr. Gourley cost almost $17,000. The Department of Finance is
in possession of each of these contracts which demonstrate the cost. I find
it hard to believe that this minister is continuously willing to present
false figures to the people of the province.
"I challenge Minister Sullivan to make public the receipts for each
of the individual contracts. These receipts will show how much was paid to
PriceWaterhouseCoopers. A cheque for $131,000 would certainly help
pensioners keep their $5 a month. I suggest this minister come clean with
the people of the province and state once and for all that all
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must make financial sacrifices to reduce
the deficit, everyone except his government."
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