St. John’s, NL (February 23, 2025)  – Barry Petten, PC MHA for Conception Bay South and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, is calling on the Furey Liberals to release the third party land appraisal on the Snow’s Lane land sale.

Petten was reacting to comments made by Minister Fred Hutton defending the fire sale of 32 acres of crown land for just $5000 an acre.  Government originally bought the land for $25,000 per acre, and for some reason marked it down 80% before selling it.

In public comments defending the sale, Hutton stated a third party independent appraisal was done on the land in question.  Petten is calling for the Minister to release the appraisal immediately.

“If there is a third-party appraisal that shows land in St. John’s is dropping in value by 80%, then they should release it for public review,” stated Petten. 

Petten stressed that this continues a pattern of sketchy real estate deals by this government, and compared the price the Furey Liberals sold this land for to the price they paid for at land in Kenmount Crossing.

“In addition to the appraisal for Snow’s Lane, the Furey Liberals need to finally produce an appraisal of the land they purchased for above market value, at $400,000, in Kenmount Crossing.  And can they show the public even a scrap of paper to justify the controversial sale that forked out $23 million taxpayers dollars in what was supposed to be a land donation for the new St. Clare’s site? ” said Petten.

“On Snow’s Lane, 32 acres was given away for just $176,000.  Our office has already heard from developers suggesting the land can be developed with easement access or simply via an existing property on Logy Bay Road” continued Petten.

“This is the same Minister who leased the Airport Inn for $21 million dollars cost plus in another blank cheque, sole source deal, with a liberal friend.  It is time for these secret deals to end.  It is time for openness and accountability which is what a new Tony Wakeham PC Government will provide.”

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