NDP says GTH deal with Brightenview smacks of 'desperation' in light of revelations about company

A Saskatchewan NDP member says it appears the Global Transportation Hub signed on a tenant "without due diligence," which she says shows "desperation."

Cathy Sproule, the NDP's critic for the inland port west of Regina, was referring to an agreement between the provincial government, which runs the GTH, and Brightenview Development International.

On Tuesday, CBC's iTeam revealed that Brightenview was affiliated with a Toronto immigration company that has been accused of ripping off Chinese people who were trying to immigrate to Saskatchewan. Brightenview says it is no longer connected with the company in any way.

• The China Connection | How the Saskatchewan government partnered with a company linked to a businessman who was wanted by China for fraud
• VIDEO| CBC's Geoff Leo explains The China Connection

The iTeam also revealed that one of Brightenview's founders, Mike Niu, has been wanted by the Chinese government for loan fraud, according to Interpol documents obtained by CBC.

Niu has been removed as a director from Brightenview's corporate records. Brightenview says Niu is no longer active with the company.

"To me, the Sask. Party government is just desperate to prove the GTH," said Sproule. "And their willingness to get into these types of arrangements without doing due diligence and checking in properly is concerning."

Brightenview deal a distraction, says Sproule

On Feb. 3, 2016, the GTH signed a land sale agreement with Brightenview. The two organizations also agreed to closely co-operate.

Brightenview plans to build a 300-unit wholesale mall at the GTH that would allow Chinese entrepreneurs to access the North American market.

The deal was signed the same day CBC broke the story about the GTH land deal. That's the story of how two politically well-connected businessmen made $11 million on two parcels of land that wound up in taxpayers' hands at two to three times more than appraisals said they were worth.

• Businessmen made millions on Regina land that wound up in taxpayers' hands

Sproule said it appears to her that the government pushed for this Brightenview deal as a distraction from that scandal.

"They want us to forget about these [GTH] parcels and see all this great new activity going on at the GTH," said Sproule. "So, Brightenview is very critical to that desperation to paint the new picture of the GTH."

NDP claim 'ridiculous': Premier's Office

In an email, the Premier's Office responded that the NDP's claim is "ridiculous."

"GTH management makes business decisions independent of any political consideration," the email says. "We welcome Brightenview's investment of millions and note that GTH has already received $3 million from this company."

Previously, the government told CBC the GTH does due diligence on all land sales, though it did not address any specific issues in CBC's report.