Province reviews FOIPOP request into Irving loans
Posted Jun 13, 2012 12:52:31 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Dexter Government has re-opened a request for details into the $304-million provincial loan to Irving. The initial request made under the province’s Freedom of Information and Protect of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation was denied by the province last month, citing that the information could hurt the Nova Scotia economy.
“The size of the amount of money is so much. It’s $300-million that’s coming out of health care, education and tax reductions that will instead go to this company,” says Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Taxpayers deserve to know what the terms and conditions of that money are.”
Lacey says he learned early Wednesday that his request was getting a second look. Lacey says this review doesn’t necessarily mean that the government will end up releasing the terms and conditions of the loan, but he’s optimistic.
“We’re really confident actually,” he says. “I think taxpayers both deserve it, and I think they are demanding it. As a result, I think eventually we are going to see the terms and conditions of the deal, and then we can debate whether or not this was a good deal for taxpayers.”
Lacey says the department of Economic and Rural Development has indicated that a decision will be released within the next 34 days.
