Sask. Party MLA addresses motel rates for Social Services clients

Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal spoke Monday for the first time since questions were raised about the motel he owns in Regina.

In November, his motel was called out for charging higher rates for Ministry of Social Services clients.

Evelyn Harper was one of the people staying at the hotel.

When she first checked in, and for her first couple of nights at the motel, Harper paid $132.09 per night, with tax. For the next four nights, which were paid for by the Ministry of Social Services, the cost went up to $168.55 per night. Then, the cost went up again, to $200 a night.

Since then, Harper has been refunded for her damage deposit.

Grewal said Monday he is not involved with the day-to-day operations of the motel and does not set rates or manage bookings.

“I do not recall because there are different rates. Motel rates always fluctuate, depending on demand and supply,” he said.

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Grewal claims he wasn’t aware that Social Services clients were being charged a higher price. But he argues that motels who accept “high-risk” clients tend to have more damage done to rooms, justifying the higher damage deposit.

“In order to recoup that cost, to do renovations and make the room rentable again, the rate is higher,” said Grewal.

Premier Scott Moe had said Grewal would be in touch with the conflict of interest commissioner to discuss the situation. Grewal said he had contacted the commissioner last Friday.

“I am confident that I have disclosed and provided all the information necessary,” he said.

Grewal is waiting for a written response from the commissioner to confirm the discussion they had.

When asked about charging Social Services clients more, he said he wasn’t in position to speak for that ministry. However, he was willing to speak on behalf of the motel, saying he thought charging $50 or $60 more was worth it for Social Services to pay.

“Sometimes the damage is $700 or $800,” Grewal said. “In order to control and run the business, in a business manner, that is a choice that managers have made.”

He said the managers make the policies, and he accepts how the managers choose to run the motel.

When it was brought up that Social Services paid much more than an extra $50 or $60 like Grewal mentioned, he said he couldn’t comment further on why this case was so much more money.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn

Editor’s note: This article has been amended from an earlier version.