Sask NDP is calling for the provincial auditor to conduct a formal investigation into what they're dubbing the "Costco scandal," which allegedly cost the City of Regina nearly $7 million and nearly jeopardized plans for a second Regina Costco location.Sask NDP says the Saskatchewan Party government needlessly pitted two levels of government against each other in a bidding war for the retail giant's new store.NDP shadow ministers Hugh Gordon and Jared Clarke, who oversee Highways and Municipal Affairs, respectively, sent a letter requesting the auditor examine actions, policies, and expenditures of both the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) and the Ministry of Highways related to the matter."This is highway robbery — plain and simple," Gordon said. "It's outrageous that the Sask Party used the GTH and Ministry of Highways to pit one level of government against another, costing Regina taxpayers millions.".According to the NDP, Regina officials felt compelled to offer millions in subsidies to secure the Costco planned for the Westerra development — concessions they argue wouldn't have been necessary without provincial interference."The City is already facing massive budget pressures," said Clarke. "Forcing them into a bidding war with another level of government is boneheaded. This is yet another example of the Sask Party putting political games ahead of the public interest."The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of the GTH, which has faced previous allegations of mismanagement. In 2019, the provincial auditor confirmed irregularities in GTH land transactions that benefited Sask Party insiders and cost taxpayers millions, according to the opposition.Last week, Sask Party MLAs blocked a motion at the Public Accounts Committee that would have launched an investigation into the matter.The provincial government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
