Sask. Party votes down NDP motion calling for auditor’s investigation into motel

The Saskatchewan Party government has blocked an investigation by the provincial auditor into the Sunrise Motel, which is owned by Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal.

The motel was spotlighted when the Saskatchewan NDP reported price increases for a woman seeking housing aid from Social Services.

The NDP introduced a motion Thursday to have an investigation done into the Ministry of Social Services’ policy on hotel stays. Grewal’s motel received $172,000 last year alone, which is about eight per cent of the government’s total hotel spending for the year.

Premier Scott Moe told reporters Thursday morning that Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky is looking into the situation.

“He is doing an internal review in the Ministry of Social Services on their procurement policies when it comes to providing hotel space for people on a short-term basis when we may not have shelter space available,” said Moe.

Sask. Party MLAs voted down the motion for an investigation by the auditor.

“The auditor can look into any government operations that they choose, and most certainly we support the auditor’s work when that occurs,” explained Moe.

Moe said Grewal has already made plans to meet with the province’s conflict of interest commissioner “upon his return from mourning the passing of his brother, to confirm that there is no conflict of interest in this case.”

The Sunrise Motel, owned by Sask. Party MLA Gary Grewal, increased its nightly rate when the bill for a woman who was staying there started being paid by the Ministry of Social Services. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Opposition Leader Carla Beck is upset with the government’s refusal of an investigation.

“After 16 years in power, it seems like there’s a never-ending stream of problems coming out of the Sask. Party government caucus,” Beck said in a written statement.

The statement outlined what the NDP wanted the auditor to investigate. That included the Ministry of Social Services’ policies, expenditures and procedures regarding the management of public funds through the payment of hotel fees for clients in the care of the ministry.

Meara Conway, the NDP’s critic for social services, said the people of Saskatchewan deserve transparency from the government.

“It’s a bad look when taxpayers are billed two hundred bucks for a motel off the Ring Road that’s owned by a government MLA. It’s even more concerning when the government acts like there is something to hide and blocks the investigation,” Conway said in a statement.

The Opposition also requested that the Ministry of Social Services disclosed the amount of money the government has paid Sunrise Motel since Grewal was elected.

The government paid $172,000 in 2022, but has yet to confirm the figures dating back to 2020.