Release e-gaming documents, says Lantz

Progressive Conservative Leader Rob Lantz has called for Premier Wade MacLauchlan to release all documents related the P.E.I. government's failed e-gaming initiative.

Lantz made the call during a campaign news conference Monday. The event focused on a $25-million lawsuit filed against the province last week that is connected to the e-gaming controversy.

Capital Markets Technologies alleges the government acted in bad faith regarding a memorandum of understanding, costing it $25 million in potential business growth.

 "The Premier must finally be forthright with Islanders about the actions of his government now that $25 million of tax dollars are at risk," said Lantz in a news release.

"However unpleasant it may be for him sometimes scabs must be picked in order for wounds to heal."

Lantz said he first wrote to MacLauchlan on March 4 calling for the release of all documents related to e-gaming. He said MacLauchlan never acknowledged the letter.

MacLauchlan has directed the auditor general to investigate the e-gaming initiative.

Today the Tories also released a letter from the auditor general, addressed to MLAs James Aylward and Buck Watts, chair and vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

In the letter Auditor General Jane MacAdam confirms her office is "conducting an examination into government's involvement with e-gaming and the related financial services platform." MacAdam writes she plans to exercise the powers of a commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act. That would allow her to subpoena witnesses and compel documents.

MacAdam also clarifies that it would not affect her examination process if Public Accounts were to conduct its own review of e-gaming, as Opposition Leader Steven Myers has twice now asked the committee to do.