Hudak calls for public inquiry on Liberal eHealth scandal

QUEENS PARK, Oct. 13 /CNW/ -

    
    NEWS
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Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak today called for a public inquiry to resolve the many unanswered questions that remain about the serious, and potentially criminal, abuses of the taxpayer money that occurred with the McGuinty Liberal eHealth Scandal.

Hudak noted that the Auditor General lacked the mandate or the resources necessary to answer many of the most important unanswered questions about a scandal that saw hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars funneled to Liberal friendly consultants through untendered contracts and sweetheart deals.

In particular, Hudak singled out senior cabinet Ministers like Deputy Premier George Smitherman as requiring more extensive scrutiny.

Given the potentially criminal behaviour hinted at in the Auditor General's report as well as the instances of overt obstruction of the Auditor General's probe, the Ontario PC Caucus has concluded that only an independent, impartial public inquiry with a full mandate to subpoena testimony and documents will provide the answers the people of Ontario deserve to see.

    
    QUOTES
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"It is only fair to demand the full and complete truth as to why so much money could disappear, while so many Liberal friends and insiders get fat and rich on untendered contracts."

-- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak

"It is clear that Dalton McGuinty's promises of transparency and accountability can no longer be believed. This government will not give up its dirty secrets willingly."

-- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak

"An Auditor's report and a token resignation do not provide the closure the people of Ontario deserve to see. That is why today the Ontario PC Caucus are officially calling for a public inquiry into the Liberal eHealth scandal."

-- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak

    
    QUICK FACTS
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    The following issues require a public inquiry to resolve.

    -   The Auditor General's report strongly suggests that there may have
        been deliberate collusion and bid-rigging at eHealth. Given that this
        is potentially criminal behaviour a deeper probe into the bidding
        process is required.

    -   The Auditor General's report highlights the role of the Power
        Management Board of Cabinet in waiving the rules relating to
        untendered contracts. Members of the cabinet have also admitted that
        the Management Board actively signed off on the awarding of
        untendered contracts. A Public Inquiry can fully investigate how
        extensively members of the Management Board were involved in the
        eHealth Scandal.

    -   The Auditor General himself reported instances of overt obstruction
        of his probe by officials of the McGuinty government. This represents
        a potentially massive abuse of power that requires an independent
        probe.

    -   The Auditor General's Probe lacked the mandate and resources to fully
        examine the potential Liberal affiliations of the individuals
        involved in the scandal or to conclusively determine which
        individuals saw personal financial gain. A Public Inquiry can answer
        both questions.
    

For further information: Greg Medulun, [phone], [email protected]