(September 13, 2021) – Barry Petten, PC MHA for Conception Bay South and Shadow Minister for Education, today wrote Ms. Denise Hanrahan, Auditor General of NL asking for an investigation of the air purification contract authorized by the Government and issued by the NL English School District.

Petten was responding to the controversy surrounding the $8 million contract awarded last week after all bidders were told they were non-compliant.

“Government was negligent from the start in not issuing the tender months ago to ensure a thorough process and delivery before school started. What we see now is the result of a rushed process with many serious questions being asked, while few, if any, have been installed in classrooms,” says Petten.

“My office has heard from other companies and industry experts who have raised many serious questions about whether this was a fair and transparent process and question if the units are capable of doing what they are supposed to,” noted Petten.

Petten is questioning why the Government waited so long to improve air quality in classrooms, why the tender was only open one week, why all the bids were deemed to be non-compliant, and how value for money versus lowest cost option was evaluated when determining the successful bidder.

“This is some $8 million which seems to have been rushed out the door as the school bell rang with poor planning and no oversight. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Minister. It is time for some leadership to speak to these serious questions,” concluded Petten.
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Letter - Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Communications and Digital Strategy

(p) 709-729-3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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