On Tuesday, the team launched OpenTheBooks.ca, a website where people can securely — and anonymously if they so choose — blow the whistle on Scott Moe’s failing government. The website comes in the wake of a massive scandal exposed by Beck’s team in which Moe and his SaskPower Minister Jeremy Harrison are planning to spend $26-billion to refurbish coal plants without telling the people of Saskatchewan. The plan was deemed “extreme” by SaskPower’s own officials, would double power rates for people and see the cancellation of renewable energy projects.
“We know Saskatchewan people are ready for change,” Beck said. “This a government constantly embroiled in scandal, that wastes money with no oversight and that is more focused on propping up their friends and campaign insiders while everyday people get stuck with the bill.
“The $26-billion coal catastrophe was only exposed because brave people who care about the future of this province risked their careers to get us proof. Today, we’re appealing further to Saskatchewan people to come forward with information and help us uncover where else this government is failing — help us open the books.”
The Sask. Party has gone to unprecedented lengths to withhold information from the public. Cabinet ministers like Harrison have skipped legislative committee meetings entirely, freedom of information requests placed by Beck’s team often come back completely redacted, and Moe’s budgets don’t include critical items, such as the cost of the coal catastrophe.
“Just trust us, there’s nothing to see here — that’s the modus operandi for these guys,” said Aleana Young, Jobs, Economy & SaskPower Shadow Minister. “These guys are so arrogant and entitled, they actually thought they could slip $26 billion in spending of our own past the people of Saskatchewan.
“We will keep turning up the heat. We will keep holding the Sask. Party accountable.
“We’re hearing from people every day who are telling us they’re sick of the cover ups, of the lies.”
Healthcare workers have also been taking the risk of getting critical information about emergency room closures, hospital capacity, weapons seized in emergency rooms and more to Beck’s team.
When Glen Perchie spoke honestly about the state of EMS in Whitewood, he was fired. The same week that hundreds of frontline workers signed an open letter the Saskatchewan Health Authority introduced a snitch line targeting frontline workers to ramp up a culture of fear against those speaking out.
“This is a Sask. Party government that spends more time trying to cover up the truth about our crumbling healthcare system than actually trying to fix it,” said Meara Conway, Shadow Health Minister. “People know full well that healthcare is broken no matter the lengths Moe and his hired puppets in the senior ranks of the provincial health authority go.
“People are stepping forward and getting us critical information because they know one thing — It's time for change in Saskatchewan.”
At OpenTheBooks.ca, people can provide tips, attach documents and request callbacks from Shadow Ministers relevant to their area of interest. All information provided to the site is kept confidential by Beck’s team of MLAs and research staff — and only released publicly with approval from the person providing it.
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