'Bit of a conflict' could mean new tender for P.E.I. park Wi-Fi contract

A half-million-dollar contract to bring Wi-Fi service to Prince Edward Island's provincial parks may have to be sent out to tender again.

In response to questions from the P.E.I. Legislature Thursday, Tourism Minister Matthew MacKay said the whole process may have to be scrapped and started over.

"Things were brought to light that maybe there was a bit of a conflict," he said, adding that some firms possibly "didn't get a fair shot" during the request for proposals process.

"We're reviewing that right now and there's a good chance [of the request] going back out."

Six companies had bid on the half-million-dollar contract to let park users log on to wireless internet while enjoying the great outdoors. Four were from PEI and two were based off-Island.

Investigation of possible 'slip-up' underway

MacKay said in the legislature that something was brought to his attention that "bothered" him, just hours after the contract was awarded to a New Brunswick-based company.

He said an employee involved in the process has been removed from the file, characterizing what had happened as a possible "slip-up" rather than a case of ill intent.

An investigation is now underway, he said.

'This was not a small contract"

Opposition leader Peter Bevan-Baker said this new information about the process to bring Wi-Fito the Island's eight provincial park campgrounds raises new concerns for him about the province's plans to rollout internet services for rural P.E.I.

"It brings into question, potentially, all of the previous contracts that have been signed by this government if it is the same individual who was involved in crafting those contracts and that becomes a much bigger concern," Bevan-Baker told reporters.

"This was not a small contract, a half a million dollars or so, but the contract that was recently entered into with Bell and Xplornetto provide rural internet across the Island from tip-to-tip was $74 million and if there was interference in this file could it be possible that there is also interference in previous files."

Bevan-Baker hopes the province can come up with some plan to provide internet to provincially-owned campgrounds. He said a lot of Islanders use those parks and need that service.

"Summer is short and sweet here in Prince Edward Island and this needs to be resolved ASAP."

MacKay said the province may try to find a temporary solution to bring Wi-Fi to provincial parks this summer while the tenders for the permanent contract are being reissued.

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