The province is changing its procedures for securing hotels for individuals on social assistance. The Official Opposition pointed out last fall that an elderly woman who had been evicted from a government care home was staying at the Sunrise Motel. When Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky promised the government would foot the bill, the price went up.

The Sunrise Motel is owned by Sask Party MLA Gary Grewal. He says he has nothing to do with the day-to-day business of the motel. A letter to Ethics Critic Meara Conway that was also released to media states that the government will now obtain quotes from at least three hotels when securing a room and will implement a one-year pilot project and publicly procure a block of five rooms in both Regina and Saskatoon at a confirmed rate. The Social Services Ministry is participating with the Provincial Auditor in its review on this issue.

In response, the NDP says the Saskatchewan Party misled the public on details on the “Sunrise Scandal”. The Critic for Ethics and Democracy Meara Conway says newly released documents raise more questions than answers with the clear need for further transparency.

Conway says on November 21st, the Social Services Minister said 2.2 million dollars was spent on hotels in 2023. However, new documents show the number was over $3 million dollars. The NDP will have further comments next week once it has reviewed the documents provided.

Click here for the letter to Conway. FILE_3743