Sask. auditor to release report on use of hotels for social services recipients
CBC
The government's use of former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal's hotel is expected to be part of the focus of an auditor general's report being filed with the provincial legislature Tuesday afternoon.
Part of auditor Tara Clemett's report will examine how the province procures hotel rooms for social services clients.
Last year, the Official Opposition said motels owned by Grewal raised the price on rooms once social services started footing the bill to house clients at those locations.
That prompted Clemett's office to examine the topic, with her conclusions to be tabled as part of her second 2024 report.
Documents released this year by the Opposition NDP show The Sunrise Motel and the Thriftlodge, which Grewal has ownership stakes in, received a combined $384,178 from social services in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Then-social services minister Gene Makowsky defended the province's use of the hotels for immediate assistance to individuals or families in emergency situations, or for longer-term support for families and children in crisis.
The province's options are limited, because some hotels won't accept people on income assistance, he said.
Saskatchewan's conflict of interest commissioner eventually ruled that Grewal violated conflict of interest laws with the contracts between the hotels and the provincial government.
Grewal denied any wrongdoing and did not run in the fall election.
In response to scrutiny, the Ministry of Social Services changed how it procures rooms, requiring three quotes from hotels before picking one.
The Ministry must also enter into a formal contract with hotels in Saskatoon and Regina.
Clemett's report is also expected to look at other topics including:
Clemett's report will become publicly available once it is tabled with the legislature.
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