Committee asks AG to investigate failure to cap wetland Muskrat Falls

PC Leader Ches Crosbie says he's pleased the public accounts committee has asked the auditor general tohowthe government missed a deadline to cap vegetation around the Muskrat Falls reservoir to reduce the risk of methylmercury getting into the food chain.

Crosbie wrote the public accounts committee which represents all three parties and is chaired by Tory MHA Kevin Parsons on Aug. 20 to ask it to pass a resolution requiring the auditor general to investigate the Liberal government's failure to proceed with wetland capping.

Crosbie said the committee did just that on Thursday. However, the discussions happened in camera and arecovered by parliamentary privilege.

In an interview Friday, Crosbie said the auditor general will get the answers the public needs.

"How did this terrible screw-up occur?" Crosbie asked. "Was it sheer incompetence orwas there an agenda at work? A bad faith agenda?"

An independent expert advisory committee comprising representatives from Indigenous groups that live downstream of the projectunanimously recommended wetland capping as a way to mitigate any risks posed by reservoir flooding,at a cost of $30 million.

The risks are associated with country food like fish becomingcontaminated as trees and other vegetation in the reservoir break down during flooding, releasing methylmercury into the ecosystem.

CBC News haspreviously reportedthat a decision to cap wetlands was made in January, though it was not made public at the time.

The governmentsaid capping would have prevented just a two per cent rise in methylmercury, and said levels will be continuously monitored.

In AugustLiberal cabinet minister Andrew Parsons dismissed Crosbie's callfor an investigation as a purely politicalmanoeuvre.

"I feel myself the system is working as it is supposed to work," Crosbie said.

On Friday eveningthe Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment issued a statement via email to CBC News.

"We are aware of the public accounts committee's decision and are prepared to cooperate fully. Information about this issue was covered at the Muskrat Falls Inquiry."

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