Chances Casino and Prince George Hotel- The Unedited Story
By 250 News
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 04:00 AM
This is the first part in a series about the interactions which lead to the development of the Commonwealth Health Centre, and the sale of the P.G. Hotel to the City of Prince George.
WHY?
The Commonwealth Group of companies first came to light after Opinion250 began receiving inquiries as to how a private company was able to secure a loan from the Community Adjustment Fund. That fund is a federal government initiative set up to create jobs in a depressed area. Opinion 250 was also being asked how a private company was able to negotiate a flip in a land deal with the City (The Prince George Hotel) which resulted in that company making several hundred thousand dollars.
In order to cast some light on the $1 million dollar loan from the Community Adjustment fund, which was being administered by the Northern Development Initiatives Trust, to renovate the former Chances Gaming Centre and turn it into the Commonwealth Health Centre. There is also the matter of Commonwealth Campuses Corp, which acted as an agent in the sale of the PG Hotel and the subsequent purchase of adjoining buildings and lots in the block.
But first, you need to go back to the beginning in the efforts by Opinion250 to obtain that information . It has been a long process, and it is not yet complete.
Northern Development Initiatives Trust, is a trust established by the provincial government with taxpayer money from the sale of BC Rail. The Community Adjustment Fund was a federal taxpayer funded initiative to boost employment in areas hard hit by the recession.
On May 25th2010 Opinion250 filed a freedom of information request with Northern Development Initiatives Trust requesting all documents, correspondence, presentations, proposals and meeting minutes, pertaining to the granting of a loan to Commonwealth Health Inc and the financing arrangement for Commonwealth Campuses Inc.
On June 4th Opinion250 received a letter from the NDI trust saying record and search fees are estimated at $412.10. That is made up of 863 pages at .25 cents a page. They ask for a deposit of $206.05.
On June 9th Opinion250 wrote to the NDI trust asking them to waive the fees given that the information was in the public interest in that it dealt with taxpayer funds. Under the Freedom of information
section;
(B) The record relates to a matter of public interest, including the environment or public health or safety
Opinion250 further asked that , if NDI trust does not waive the fees , “ we request a letter from you detailing how this information is not in the public interest”. To ensure there were no delays in producing the materials, Opinion250 enclosed the deposit cheque.
On June 14th Opinion250 received a letter from the NDI replying to the request and advising us that they, under the Act, can take a further 30 days to reply to the request. The letter went on to say that the request will be ready no later than August 20th-2010
On June 22nd Opinion250 received another letter from NDI advising that they are taking an additional 30 days under section 10 as Northern Development Trust needs to consult with third parties. Our request now will be ready no later than August 25th-2010.
On June 28th,NDI Trust writes that it has received the letter of June 9th and the deposit cheque and NDI Trust is rejecting the request for the fees to be waived “You have requested a fee waiver based on the belief that these records relate to a matter of public interest. The Northern Development Initiative Trust has considered your request and determined that it is not appropriate to grant a fee waiver in this instance.”
On July 7th Opinion250 wrote to the NDI Trust asking for a letter explaining why our request had been denied , we said , “your letter saying our request was denied, did not include that explanation as to why it was not in the public interest.”
On July 9th Opinion250 received a letter from NDI Trust returning our check in the amount of $206.05. We were told the number of pages in the file would be less than first anticipated, so the fee would no longer be charged. No explanation was every given as to why it was not in the public interest.
On July 30th Opinion250 received from NDI Trust a letter informing Opinion250 that the information would be released on or before August 20th 2010.
On September 20-2010 Opinion250 received a set of documents, much of the information was blanked out for a variety of reasons. The severed information has been withheld for a variety of reasons says NDI Trust:
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Section 13 (policy advice and recommendations,)
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Section 14 ( legal advice),
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Section 16 (disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations or negotiations)
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Section 17 (disclosure harmful to the financial or economic harm of a public body)
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Section 21 disclosure harmful to business interest of a third party and
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Section 22 disclosure harmful to personal privacy
NDI Trust also said 68 pages were being withheld in their entirety subject to section 14
Of the documents received, Opinion 250 will reprint some in their entirety.
There was a letter attached to the documents indicating there was still one more item to possibly come our way, a two page letter. NDI Trust’s Janine North writes “We are currently finalizing consultation with the Province of British Columbia regarding a two page letter. As soon as that consultation process is complete we will provide you with a copy of the responsive record.”
We are still waiting.
Tomorrow, Commonwealth Health Corp. That company lists these directors;
Dan McLaren, Don Kehler, David McWalter , Mark Dakus and Grant Dakus.
How Commonwealth obtained a $1 million dollar loan handled by Northern Development Trust on behalf of the Community Adjustment Fund, what was promised, how the renovations were planned, and what the benefit was to the city.
***Because of the legal nature of this series, the will be no comments***
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