Nova Scotian bids were lower, but work given to Ontario and Saskatchewan

HALIFAX, NS - Progressive Conservative economic development critic Eddie Orrell wants answers from the NDP as to why work was sent out of province when local businesses had lower bids.

Two tenders awarded by the NDP government this week have gone to companies outside Nova Scotia.

Tender # 60144019 went to Fashions by MEE Ltd. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for windbreaker jackets for Communications Nova Scotia. Their bid came in at $35,380, but alternate bids from Fundy Textile and Design in Truro and Ethical Swag in Sydney were lower. Fundy’s bid at $31,960 included all Canadian-made material and came in $3,420 cheaper than the winning bid.

Tender #60143757 for the Department of Education’s controversial children’s lunch bags went to Add Impact Inc. in Woodbridge, Ontario for $19,272. There were lower bidders in Nova Scotia including Say It With Stitches in Bedford and Maxwell Promotional Products in Halifax.

“What is so special about lunch bags and windbreakers that Nova Scotia companies with lower bids couldn’t get the contract?” asked Orrell. “Are the specifications for lunch bags and jackets so unique and precise that we can’t get them locally?”

Orrell said the NDP’s JobsHere strategy is a farce.

“The numbers show they have created no jobs through this so-called strategy and today we can see why,” said Orrell. “If Premier Dexter and the NDP wake up one morning and wonder where all the jobs went, they need only look at their own actions.”

Orrell says a PC government will create the winning conditions for a stronger economy: balancing the budget, lowering taxes, eliminating unnecessary regulations and adopting an energy plan that affordably integrates economic and environmental goals. A PC government will find efficiencies and savings in government administration to balance the budget and bring real tax relief to families.

“It’s hard to make sense of the NDP spending almost $55,000 out of the province while they are cutting teachers,” said Orrell, who also serves as PC education critic.

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http://www.gov.ns.ca/tenders/tenders/ns-tenders.aspx
Search using the tender numbers 60144019 and 60143757