The opposition PCs are calling on the NDP government to justify surprise spending on the once-proposed Conawapa hydro dam.
In June 2014, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) said Conawapa has no viable business plan and recommended the $10.7-billion project be “discontinued immediately and the projects terminated.”
“The NDP said last July it accepted the PUB’s recommendations to scrap Conawapa and to stop all spending on it,” said Ralph Eichler, opposition critic for Manitoba Hydro. “Since then, about $31 million has been spent on the project. The NDP government must explain why Manitoba Hydro rates are going up to pay for a project experts said has no viable business plan.”
According to the PCs, Manitoba Hydro’s financial reports show the utility continued to spend millions on “Future Conawapa Generation” for at least five months after the PUB recommended no more money be put into it.
