Manitoba NDP grilled in question period over Tiger Dam purchases

Manitoba's NDP government faced more tough questions on Wednesday about whether Infrastructure Minister Steve Ashton was in a conflict of interest in the purchase of flood protection gear.

A whistleblower alleged Ashton's department committed to giving a $5-million untendered contract to Peter Ginakes, a distributor that has contributed to his electoral campaigns in previous years.

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The accusation was that Ashton tried to push through the deal last year for International Flood Control Corp. of Calgary to supply Tiger Dams to the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council.

International Flood Control is represented in Manitoba by Ginakes, who hasties to Ashton.

Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister grilled Premier Greg Selinger about the issue during question period on Wednesday.

"Mr. Ginakes has sole distribution rights for a flood-fighting product called TigerDams. His pal, the MLA for Thompson, is the minister who buys flood-fighting equipment such as TigerDams," Pallister said.

"So I will ask again: When did the premier first know that the minister was in a clear ethical conflict?"

Selinger replied, "Mr. Speaker, the member will know that a proper tendering procedure was put in place for any acquisition of flood-fighting equipment."

A spokesperson for Ashton said flood-fighting equipment purchases are not decisions made by ministers, and that the equipment purchased was based on needs identified at the time.