December 6, 2005

By Daniel Mark Wheaton

Premier Pat Binns spent hundreds of thousands of dollars—if not millions more than necessary—on a golf course as a patronage reward following the 1996 election, says Opposition Leader Robert Ghiz.

The province purchased the Dundarave Golf Academy for $3.5 million as part of a deal that also included the Brudenell Golf Course for $6.9 million. Ghiz said the academy had been valued at between $1.7 million and $2.1 million.

During question period on December 1, Ghiz asked why the government paid more than the property’s assessed value.

“Islanders want a detailed analysis of why you spent an additional $1.4 million.”

He called on the premier to provide the legislature with a breakdown explaining why taxpayers’ money had been spent that way.

Binns questioned why the Opposition was raising an issue that dated back nearly a decade.

“I’m not sure what has got under the opposition leader’s bonnet there today because it seems to me that a lot of years have gone by.”

The premier countered by asking why the previous Liberal government had not awarded the Crowbush Golf Coursecontract to the lowest bidder when it was in office.

Ghiz said the golf academy program was now being moved to Stratford and questioned what would become of the original course.

“The cost of the nine-hole golf course didn’t stop at $3.5 million. The government picked up the losses of the operation. It picked up the legal costs and they used Islanders’ money to pay for all the payoffs.”

He accused the premier of rewarding political friends.

“Who cares what the taxpayer thinks? This premier had friends to take care of.”

Binns defended the investment, arguing that government-owned golf courses were never intended to be major profit generators.

“That applies to the golf courses which his party is involved in building, whether it was Mill River or Brudenell or Crowbush.”

He said the courses were investments in Prince Edward Island’s tourism industry.

“This is a $70 million industry.”

According to Binns, golfers visiting the province contribute far beyond green fees.

“They stay in hotels. They go to the restaurants. They go to the theatre. They buy crafts.”

He added that many visitors specifically travel to Prince Edward Island to play the provincial courses and attend the golf academy.

“If the golf academy wasn’t there, they wouldn’t come.”

Ghiz responded that the strength of the Island’s golf industry was not in dispute.

“I don’t think we need to invest in any more golf courses on the Island.”